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Listen "From Heavy Metal to Lesbian Romance: The Creative Journey of Genevieve Rheams - Ep 17"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of Bold Voices/Good Yarns, host Ian Henzel speaks with debut author Genevieve Rheams about her lesbian romance novel, "We Will Plant Birds of Paradise."
Genevieve shares her personal journey of coming out in her 30s, how growing up in a conservative Catholic family shaped her worldview, and how those experiences influenced her novel’s main character, Jess. From childhood memories of being “different” in a small Louisiana town to finding escape in books like The Outsiders, Genevieve reflects on how storytelling became her refuge—and eventually, her craft.
The conversation dives into her writing influences, the role of punk, heavy metal, and alternative music in sparking her creativity, and the fictional worlds she dreamed of living in. Along the way, she highlights the importance of family, community, and representation in queer literature.
✨ Whether you’re a fan of lesbian romance, stories of self-discovery, or behind-the-scenes looks at the writing life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
📚 "We Will Plant Birds of Paradise" is available now from Rattling Good Yarns Press in print and ebook.
Links to the book in this episode:
Bookshop.org: - https://bookshop.org/a/110292/9781955826907
Amazon - https://amzn.to/4fWTDsM
Rattling Good Yarns Press - https://rattlinggoodyarns.com/product/we-will-plant-birds-of-paradise/
#LesbianRomance #ComingOutStory #LGBTQAuthor #QueerLiterature #SapphicRomance #SmallTownLGBTQ
Genevieve shares her personal journey of coming out in her 30s, how growing up in a conservative Catholic family shaped her worldview, and how those experiences influenced her novel’s main character, Jess. From childhood memories of being “different” in a small Louisiana town to finding escape in books like The Outsiders, Genevieve reflects on how storytelling became her refuge—and eventually, her craft.
The conversation dives into her writing influences, the role of punk, heavy metal, and alternative music in sparking her creativity, and the fictional worlds she dreamed of living in. Along the way, she highlights the importance of family, community, and representation in queer literature.
✨ Whether you’re a fan of lesbian romance, stories of self-discovery, or behind-the-scenes looks at the writing life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
📚 "We Will Plant Birds of Paradise" is available now from Rattling Good Yarns Press in print and ebook.
Links to the book in this episode:
Bookshop.org: - https://bookshop.org/a/110292/9781955826907
Amazon - https://amzn.to/4fWTDsM
Rattling Good Yarns Press - https://rattlinggoodyarns.com/product/we-will-plant-birds-of-paradise/
#LesbianRomance #ComingOutStory #LGBTQAuthor #QueerLiterature #SapphicRomance #SmallTownLGBTQ
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Steve Urszenyi—BLOOD OATH
10/11/2025
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