Sarah Wendell

Sarah Wendell is an American author, podcaster, and influential critic specializing in the romance novel genre. She is best known as the co-founder and managing editor of the popular website Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, a pioneering platform for critical and humorous analysis of romance fiction. Her work has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal, and she is a frequent speaker at literary events such as the Romance Writers of America national conference.

Early life and education

Growing up in New Jersey, she developed an early and enduring passion for reading, particularly within the expansive world of genre fiction. Her academic background is in communications and theater, fields that honed her analytical and performative skills, which later became central to her career. This foundation provided a unique lens through which she would later deconstruct and celebrate the narrative structures and cultural impact of romance literature.

Career

Her professional trajectory shifted significantly with the 2005 co-founding of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books alongside Candy Tan. The website rapidly gained a substantial following for its witty, insightful, and unapologetically feminist critique of romance novels, challenging stereotypes and elevating discourse within the publishing industry. This platform established her as a leading voice and advocate for the genre, leading to consulting roles with major publishers like Avon Books and Harlequin Enterprises. She has served as a judge for prestigious awards such as the RITA Awards and has been a featured panelist at events like the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Writing and publications

She is the author of several non-fiction works that explore the romance genre and its fandom. Her first book, Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels, co-authored with Candy Tan, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2009 and offers a humorous yet scholarly breakdown of genre tropes and history. She followed this with the solo work Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels, published by Sourcebooks in 2011, which examines the life lessons and emotional truths found within the genre. Her writing has also appeared in anthologies and academic collections analyzing popular culture.

Podcasting and media appearances

Expanding her reach into audio media, she co-hosts the long-running Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, which features interviews with authors such as Nalini Singh and Julia Quinn, editors, and sociologists, discussing the craft and business of romance writing. The podcast has been recognized as a key resource for the romance fiction community. She has been a guest on numerous national programs, including NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! and The Today Show, discussing the cultural and economic significance of the romance publishing industry.

Personal life

Residing in New Jersey, she is married and has children. An active participant in fan communities, she often discusses the intersection of her professional interests with her family life. She maintains a strong connection with her readership and listeners through social media and public appearances, consistently advocating for the intellectual and emotional value of romantic fiction.

Category:American literary critics Category:American podcasters Category:American women writers Category:People from New Jersey Category:Romance novelists