TROPED OUT
A podcast celebrating genre storytelling in all its formats.
May Cobb Supports Women's Wrongs
Thriller writer May Cobb joins us for a discussion about the complicated women in her novels who break their seemingly perfect lives, how readers weigh the misdeeds of a flawed female character against those of a murderer, and why her stories are set in East Texas.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET MAY COBB | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Sherlockian Mysteries in Space with Malka Older
Hugo-nominated science fiction author Malka Older joins us for a chat about Sherlockian mystery tropes, life in the rings of Jupiter, and her upcoming release The Mimicking of Known Successes.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET MALKA OLDER | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Celebrating Murdery Women with Layne Fargo
Who doesn't love a rotten, stabby, unapologetic female character? Oh, according to publishing it might just be us, but we take a moment to revel in it with thriller author Layne Fargo. And, we also take a moment to enjoy the mini-trend of the moment: female cannibals. No one is sorry about it in the least.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET LAYNE FARGO | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Wrestling with Complex Characters with Charlene Thomas
We kick off season two with the author of Seton Girls with a conversation about the difference between young adult and adult literature, how to tackle the tough stuff with teens, and what we love to read during the spooky season of October.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET CHARLENE THOMAS | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
SEASON 1
Why Enemies to Lovers is the Best Romance Trope with Brighton Walsh
We close out our first season of episodes with USA Today Bestselling romance author Brighton Walsh. Listen for highlights from her year of reading reverse harem stories, why enemies to lovers has become her favorite trope to write, the trope she can't stand, and more.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET BRIGHTON WALSH | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Emmy Paxman's Intro to Web Comics
Dive into the world of web comics and how they've changed with the times with creator Emmy Paxman, along with exploration of her own story Neptune Bay, the joy of the himbo, and more.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET EMMY PAXMAN | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Redefining Strong Female Protagonists with Andrea Contos
Young adult thriller author Andrea Contos joins us for a discussion about how to write young adult characters and plots into the thriller genre, redefining the "strong female protagonist" and much more.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET ANDREA CONTOS | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Michael Mammay is Done With Your Soldier Tropes
Science fiction writer and a retired army officer Michael Mammay talks heists, generation ships, and bad soldier stereotypes in science fiction--and we get the scoop on his newest release.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET MICHAEL MAMMAY | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Tom Phillips Tackles Toxic Masculinity through Middle Grade Mysteries
Em and E.J. get nostalgic for the 90s with middle grade action and mystery author Tom Phillips in a chat about Reading Rainbow, the Pizza Hut Book It! Program, Land of the Lost, and more, with a side of how his new release takes on the issues of toxic masculinity for young readers.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET TOM PHILLIPS | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Alexandria Bellefleur Swoons for Forced Proximity
Romance author Alexandria Bellefleur joins Em and E.J. in this episode to share about her latest novel, wax nostalgic about her favorite 90s rom com moments, and--of course--talk tropes.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET ALEXANDRIA BELLEFLEUR | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Mia P. Manansala Writes "Rom-Coms with Dead Bodies"
Join us in conversation with culinary cozy mystery author Mia P. Manansala as we chat about her Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series, the shared tropes between romance and cozies, why there’s so much food in this particular mystery genre, and the undue burden put on marginalized authors.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET MIA P. MANANSALA | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Anna E. Collins Loves a Sunshine/Grump Trope
In which Em & EJ interview Anna E. Collins, author of LOVE AT FIRST SPITE! Listen in for talk about where the idea for the novel came from, her love of underdogs, and the satisfaction of a good old fashioned Happily Ever After.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET ANNA E. COLLINS | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES
Romance Author Hildie McQueen Plots A Return from the Dead
In our very first episode of TROPED OUT, Em and EJ talk the glory of romance tropes with USA Today bestselling author Hildie McQueen, from why we love scarred heroes to the problem with insta-love to why we all love Henry Cavill.
LEAVE A REVIEW | MEET HILDIE MCQUEEN | BROWSE THE BOOKSHOP | GET THE SHOW NOTES