S2E21: Anne Rice with author Josh Malerman

 

Today, I’ve invited horror author, Josh Malerman, to talk about Anne Rice. He has been reading through her books and wanted to chat about both her vampire and witch series. I was more than happy to oblige. We talk about her craft and world building, as well as the impact she had on horror, but we also take an honest look at some of her problematic elements both on and off the page. I am really happy with this well-rounded discussion and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. It was a real treat for me.

S2E20: Carolyne Topdjian Author Interview

 

Today, I’ve invited author, Carolyne Topdjian, to talk about her fun and spooky gothic novel, “The Hitman’s Daughter.” We squee over the parts that sizzle, and talk about the joy of indulging gothic's melodrama. There are family secrets, a haunted hotel, a surprising amount of action, and a slightly ambiguous ending that leaves us eagerly awaiting book 2! What a good time! 

You can find "The Hitman's Daughter" at most bookstores, or you can get it through my online bookshop to support both the podcast and independent bookstores nationwide. 

S2E19: Erotic Horror with V. Castro

Today, I’ve invited author, V. Castro to talk about Erotic Horror and the merging of genre. We examine the definitions of Erotica and how it differs from Erotic Horror, discuss the significance of the sub-genre in the context of a broader conversation about consent and agency over our bodies and sexual identity. We use Castro's stories for this discussion and she shares what we can look forward to from her in the coming months. 

You can order copies of any of the books mentioned on this episode using my online bookshop to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also click the links below. Be sure to follow She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining us today. 

S2E18: Alma Katsu Author Interview

 

Today, I’ve invited author, Alma Katsu to talk about her book, “The Fervor,” her most recent historical horror novel, this time set in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. You can pre-order your copy of “The Fervor” using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. I also want to add that you can help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving us a review wherever you get your podcasts.

You will also here me discuss "Forget the Alamo" with Alma Katsu in this episode and the link to order that book through our online bookshop is also below. Thanks for your support! 

S2E17: Mary Shelley with author Kris Waldherr

 

Today, I’ve invited author, Kris Waldherr to talk about Mary Shelley, the beloved gothic icon who penned Frankenstein as a teenager and whose life was truly stranger than fiction. Kris has a book coming out this fall, called “Unnatural Creatures,” which is about the women of Frankenstein, and she will be back for a deep dive into that novel later this year.

The following is a list of recommendations from Kris Waldherr if you want to explore Mary Shelley further:

Fiona Sampson, author. In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein 

Charlotte Gordon, author. Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley

In addition, the 2017 film "Mary Shelley" starring Elle Fanning offers a fictionalized account of her love affair with Percy Shelley and subsequent writing of Frankenstein. Far better than Ken Russell’s Gothic! 

I also highly recommend The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo for a look behind the science that inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and another perspective on those in the “Diodati circle.” 

You can find some of these titles in my Mary Shelley book list on our online bookshop. 

Bonus Episode! Book Banning with Carolyn Foote from FReadom Fighters

 

Today, I’ve invited librarian and anti-censorship activist, Carolyn Foote from FReadom Fighters, to talk about the state of book banning in America, especially in Texas, and what authors and readers can do to combat this. As a former librarian myself, this subject is important to me. You’ll hear how dire the situation is, tales of ridiculous things happening in school board meetings, and I share some crazy experiences I had with censorship and book challenges. We present action items for you to take and I hope this inspires you to help curb the tide of book bans that are primarily silencing people of color and the LGBTQ community. I will have some challenged books featured on my bookshop.org storefront if you want to help support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and leaving us a review wherever you get your podcasts.

S2E16: Isabel Canas Interview

 

Today, I’ve invited author, Isabel Canas, to talk about her book, “Hacienda,” a very gothic haunted house story that takes place in 1830s Mexico. You’ll be able to hear just how excited we both were about doing the show. I hope you enjoy our conversation about this book, Latinx representation, hot priests and how she came to write horror. You can pre-order your copy of “The Hacienda” using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. I’ve put the book under my Gothic and Mystery suggestions. I also want to add that you can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and leaving us a review wherever you get your podcasts.

In the show, we talk about our disdain for "American Dirt," and I reference an NPR story about that includes an interview with Sandra Cisneros. Link to the interview is here.

Thanks for listening!