E54: Turning A Famous Ghost Story into A Novel with Celso Hurtado

Today, is a special episode from my final live program at Lark and Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, Texas. I invited author, Celso Hurtado, to talk about his award winning book, “The Ghost Tracks.” He won the International Latino Book Award for this story that takes place around the famous haunted San Antonio train tracks. He answers questions both about his book and the legend that inspired it. You can order signed copies of “The Ghost Tracks” from Lark and Owl Booksellers by emailing them at salesfloor@larkandowlbooksellers.com or use my online bookshop to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E53: Tim McGregor, Comic Books, and "Taboo in Four Colors"

Today, I’ve invited author, Tim McGregor, to talk about his new novella, “Taboo in Four Colors,” that takes place in the comic book industry of the 1960s and 70s. It’s a gruesome and compelling look at how far two people will go for love. The second half of our conversation does contain spoilers, though, if you want to skip that part until you’ve read the book. You can order Tim’s books using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. You can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E52: Rachel Harrison and the Fangs of Female Rage

Today, I’ve invited author, Rachel Harrison, to talk about her book, “Such Sharp Teeth,” but I love all her work so we really chat about all of it. This is one of my most cherished conversations because we talk so honestly about how her work reflects the female experience. We dive deep into what that looks like through her stories, revealing the complexity behind her charm. I want to issue a content warning. We address assault and the emotional aftermath starting about 14 minutes in, so if you want to skip ahead 5 minutes, we get to other feminist topics as well as things that make us laugh. It’s a conversation I really needed and I’m so glad I get to share it with you. You can order her books using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. You can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E51: The Craft of Writing Gothic Romance with Diana Biller

 

Today, I’ve invited author, Diana Biller, to talk about the craft of writing gothic romance. Her book, The Widow of Rose House, became an instant hit with gothic romance fans because she combined beloved tropes with new ideas. All of her work is smart, sexy, funny and enchanting, and I learned a lot from our conversation. We do talk about writing sex, so if you may want earbuds if you’re listening near children or co-workers. You can order her books using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E49.5: Telling True Ghosts Stories - A Live Podcast Interview with Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes

 

Today I bring you a bonus episode about a wonderful nonfiction book, “A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America’s Ghosts.” It’s one of the best books I’ve read about ghosts in American history and regional myth, with thoughtful analysis that centers women as both subject and storytellers. I did this as part of a series of “live” podcast episodes I was invited to do at Lark and Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, Texas as part of their October programming, so you’ll occasionally hear customers in the background. I was also sick during production, so I was tuning in via zoom, but this is really a wonderful conversation that I’m proud of and I can’t wait to hear your feedback on both the episode and the book.

E50: Edgar Allan Poe's Enduring Appeal with Sara Crocoll Smith

 

Today I chat with Sara Crocoll Smith about Edgar Allan Poe. She just won the Saturday Visitor Award from the Poe Museum for the first in her “Love Letters To Poe” anthology series, “A Toast to Edgar Allan Poe.”

As mentioned in the episode, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas has a collections of Poe's manuscripts, letters, and personal ephemera. Here is a link to see images and information on some of that collection, including this brooch containing a lock of Poe's hair (given to Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton, September 1849)

E49: Kink Positive Gothic Suspense with Briana Una McGuckin

Today I chat with Briana Una McGuckin about her kink-positive gothic suspense novel, “On Good Authority.” If you are listening to this in proximity of children and are not yet ready to answer questions about kink, I suggest you listen with ear buds. Though not explicit, this conversation is honest and it was wonderful to chat with someone who wrote about it so beautifully. You can order “On Good Authority” using my online bookshop to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following She Wore Black on Twitter and Instagram, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining us today.