I recently dove headfirst into the world of smutty books, and I am loving it. We’re talking audio, Kindle, paperback… I’m consuming spicy stories in every format.
Meghan Quinn? An icon.
But then I stumbled across something that completely stopped me in my tracks: Nashville Smut. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, and it’s even better than you think.
So I sat down (virtually) with Alexa Sierra, one of the brilliant minds behind Nashville Smut, to hear how she and her childhood bestie turned a shared love of steamy reads into a thriving, inclusive, and completely irresistible book community. Spoiler alert: you’re gonna want in on this.
From Kindle Obsession to Book Club Magic
Alexa’s story starts with a Kindle app, a persistent best friend (hi Maryssa!), and a year-long campaign to get her reading smut. Marissa finally gave in with the 365 Days trilogy… and that was it. She was hooked.
The next logical step? A book club, of course.
But not just any book club. Alexa and Maryssa were nervous. Who would actually show up? Would it be weird? Spoiler: it wasn’t weird, it was electric.
They created a Facebook group, got 50 followers in a week (which felt huge), and by their very first meetup, they had 200 members and 11 people sitting around a table playing icebreaker games. It snowballed from there.
Smut With a Side of Community (And No Yucking Yums)
One thing Alexa made super clear: inclusivity is everything. The group was built on the belief that all spice levels, tropes, and tastes are welcome. No judgment. No shame. No “yucking someone’s yum.”
They started doing monthly themed meetups like Halloween parties, game nights, and more — always with the books at the center, but always making space for connection.
The growth was wild. The group exploded on Instagram (now over 4,600 followers) and expanded beyond Nashville thanks to smut lovers who just couldn’t get enough.
Wait… A Whole Smutty Festival with Sexy Merch?!
Yep. It didn’t stop at book clubs. Alexa and Maryssa decided to go big.
Like, book festival big. That’s how Tempted by Fiction was born. It’s a spicy book fest celebrating indie authors, small businesses, and all things smut. Think book trucks, 20+ vendors, spicy merch, and over 300 attendees… all planned in just three months.
Now they’re planning a spring Tempted with over 100 vendors, authors from across the country, piercings, tattoos, and yes, tons of spicy reads. People are already DMing them, saying they’ll fly to Nashville for it. Honestly, same.
It’s a sexy circus-themed holiday bash, dreamed up with the help of a former circus pro. Think: sultry vibes, smutty themes, and readers flying in from all over to celebrate a year of spicy bookish joy.
Nashville Smut also has adorable, hilarious, sometimes raunchy merch that sells out fast. (Shoutout to the “Good Girl” sweatsuits with writing on the butt. Millennial dreams do come true.)
They also teamed up with a local mom-owned business to make and ship each item by hand. Nothing mass-produced. It’s cute, it’s cozy, and it’s totally community-rooted.
Despite all the growth, Alexa says they haven’t personally profited… yet. Every dollar from merch and events goes right back into growing the group. They only just opened a bank account this year and used the funds to pay for their website, supplies, and upcoming events.
The meetups? Still totally free. Even the ones with activities. That’s just how committed they are to making this accessible and welcoming.
Smutty Social Media Success
Alexa’s quick tip for other bookish brands? Reels over photos. Hashtags matter. TikToks can be gold. But mostly? Be consistent and don’t get discouraged if you’re stuck in a plateau.
Some of their biggest viral moments came from trends they jumped on at the last minute. Others were just pure luck. It’s a crapshoot, honestly, but one they’re willing to keep playing.
Lessons From Building a Bookish Business
When I asked Alexa what the biggest learning experience has been, her answer was simple: everything. They’ve had to figure it all out themselves, from building a website to managing anxiety to organizing multi-vendor events.
Both Alexa and Maryssa still work full-time as nannies. So every bit of Nashville Smut magic happens during nap times and late-night hustle hours.
Their biggest mistake? Waiting too long to promote an event. Now they start months in advance.
What would they do differently? Start Instagram and TikTok sooner.
Smut Retreats and What’s Next
If you’re like me and not in Nashville, you’re probably wondering how you can get in on this magic. Alexa says more traveling events and even retreats could be in the future.
(Please manifest a Palm Beach Smut chapter with me, okay?)
Spicy Book Recs? Don’t Worry, I Asked
You didn’t think I’d end this post without asking for book recs, right?
If You’re New to Smut:
If You Like Dark Romance:
- The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
- Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
- The Sinner by Shantel Tessier
- Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby
- Ignite by Melanie Harlow
What Alexa and Maryssa have built is so much more than a book club. It’s a safe space, a supportive community, a place where people can talk about books and sex without judgment. And it’s growing faster than they ever imagined.
They’re doing it all with full-time jobs, zero experience, and a whole lot of heart. And they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
So if you’re smut-curious, book-obsessed, or just looking for a community that gets it, you might wanna follow @nashvillesmut and start planning your next trip to Music City.
For another smutty book business, click here.
