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Queer joy, Hollywood theater, and why romance doesn’t have to earn its happy ending.

In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Amy Spalding to talk about In Her Spotlight, her latest sapphic romance set at the intersection of celebrity culture, live theater, and second-chance love. We dig into why queer joy matters, how power dynamics shift when fame enters the room, and why it finally feels possible to tell coming-out stories without centering tragedy.

We also chat about reading across genres, unexpected nonfiction rabbit holes, and Amy’s favorite sapphic and bisexual romances to add to your TBR—especially if you love stories about ambition, community, and women figuring it out together.

📚 Books Mentioned

In Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding — Sapphic Romance | Celebrity Romance | Second Chance | Theater Setting

Rooting Interest by Cat Dibasato — Sapphic Romance | Sports Romance | Career-Driven Characters

Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory — Sapphic Romance | Contemporary Romance | Wine Country Setting

Writers & Lovers by Lily King— Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction | Writing & Ambition

Alice Rue Evades the Truth by Emily Zips — Bisexual Romance | Contemporary Romance | While You Were Sleeping Retelling

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome back + first impressions of In Her Spotlight

[01:00] Writing queer joy during bleak times

[02:00] Why sapphic romance has changed so much

[04:00] Coming-out stories with nuance and community

[05:00] In Her Spotlight elevator pitch

[06:00] Power, consent, and the #MeToo context

[08:00] Celebrity culture vs. theater life

[11:00] Companion standalones & the Out in Hollywood series

[12:00] Reading across genres as a writer

[13:00] Nonfiction deep dives & pop culture obsessions

[15:00] Sapphic and bisexual romance recommendations

[19:00] Where to find Amy online

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