E219: Rachel Harrison and KISS SLAY REPLAY

 

Today Rachel Harrison returns to the show to chat about her new book, KISS SLAY REPLAY, a horror timeloop novel with Rachel’s signature wit, wisdom, and creativity. We chat about the range of horrors in the novel, from monsters to facing each new day with normal responsibilities. We also chat about brides, dead brides, weddings with paintings of dead brides, and the good, the bad and the ugly of weddings. We talk about writing too, and I hope it’s helpful.

I mentioned Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, a wonderful book about writing that I'll link below Rachel's book.

Bookstores Rachel recommends

• Vintage Bookstore and Winebar - Austin, TX
• All She Wrote Books - Somerville, MA 
• An Unlikely Story - Plainville, MA
• Exile in Bookville - Chicago, IL
• The Twisted Spine - Brooklyn, NY

E218: Hazel Beck and SOME KIND OF HAUNTED

 

Today I welcome Megan Crane and Nicole Helm to the show, the writing duo known as Hazel Beck. It’s a short episode, but we pack a lot in, including their origin story and Witchlore series, leaning into “cozy horror” for their new book, SOME KIND OF HAUNTED, and their twist on twins and fiber arts to bring about that cozy and horror combination for effective genre blending. 

Their bookstore recommendations include:

Main Street Books - St. Charles, Missouri

Rebel Heart Bookshop - Jacksonville, Oregon

Neighborhood Reads - Washington, Missouri

HEA Book Boutique - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Swamp Fox Bookstore - Marion Iowa

Next Chapter Booksellers - St. Paul, Minnisota

The Story Collective - St. Joseph, Missouri

Sidekick Coffee and Books - Iowa City, Iowa

E217: Horse Books for Horse Reasons! with Anna Rose Reads and Lorin from Paperback Bish

 

Today I welcome Anna from Anna Rose Reads, and Lorin from Paperback Bish in an episode full of equine delights. It’s our long awaited Horse episode where we chat about horses in fiction, from childhood stories to genre books like romance and horror. You’ll be able to tell from all our laughter that we had a great time and I hope you learn a few things about horse symbolism and get a few book recs along the way. I’d intended to post this episode a few weeks from now, but with everything happening right now, I felt the need to move this up. Anna and Lorin have been diligent in their research of reputable groups trying to combat the horrifying wild horse round ups, and they suggest:

• The Wild Horse Refuge
• American Wild Horse Conservation
• Skydog Ranch
• Rocky Mountain Mustang Refuge
• In Defense of Animals

Anna also suggested a documentary: Blue Zeus

I mention in the episode that NPR's Fresh Air recently replayed an older episode to honor Monty Roberts, who changed horse training to a humane method that listened/responded to the horse. You can listen to that here or wherever you get your podcasts. His book is called The Man Who Listens to Horses.

Lorin’s Book Recs

• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
• The Unicorn Hunters by Katherin Arden
• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
• the Phantom Rider series by Janni Lee Simner (out of print)

Anna’s Book Recs

• Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
• The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson
• A Collapse of Horses by Brian Evenson
• DK Encyclopedia of Horses

Agatha’s Book Recs

• Bethany’s Sin by Robert R. McCammon (link to ebook - print is not available)
• The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews (her whole Belles of London series)
• The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
• Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart
• Feast of Dead Man's Hollow by Desiree M. Niccoli

Photos below include: Anna with her Spirit poster (about 5 years old), Lorin with a cute pony (about 10 years old), Me (Agatha) on my rocking horse (just turned 2 years old)

E216: Sisters in Gothic with Del Sandeen

 

Today Del Sandeen returns to the show to chat about one of my favorite themes, “Sisters in Gothic.” Del’s’ new book, THESE WALLS REMEMBER, is the perfect tie-in to this topic, and it was really interesting that I found someone else who is an only child that shared my interest and enthusiasm for sisters as a character type in Gothic and Horror. There is a lot of range in the books we recommend, so I hope you enjoy it!

Del’s Book Recs

• Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Agatha’s Book Recs

• Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
• The Sirens by Emilia Hart
• Spite House by Johnny Compton
• The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• Honorable mention - I’ll Come Back for You (The Beck Sister Hauntings #1) by Charish Reid

E215: Olivie Blake on Hollywood Gothic, Fire as Eco-Horror, and DREAMLAND

 

Today I welcome Olivie Blake to the show to discuss her new Hollywood set Gothic novel, DREAMLAND. You might know her from her fantasy sensation, THE ATLAS SIX, but she writes Horror as well, with an intelligence and depth that I am delighted to highlight here. We chat about everything from her use of identity for Gothic isolation to her use of fires as eco-horror. It’s a great conversation and it was my honor to have her on the show. 

E214: Twisted Spine - Indie Bookshop Spotlight

 

Today I’m launching a new series that features Independent Book Stores, and I’ve invited Lauren Komer from the Twisted Spine to kick things off! We chat about who they are, their inspiration to open a Horror bookstore, and we learn about their programs and books their customers clamor for. It’s a fun peek into an important part of the book world. 

The Twisted Spine is located at 306 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Their website is https://www.twistedspinebooks.com/

Their Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/twistedspinebooks

Books recommended on the episode

• Incidents around the House by Josh Malerman
• The Strange Pictures series by Uketsu
• Lone Women by Victor LeValle
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• Root Rot by Saskia Nislow
• Headlights by CJ Leede
• Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle

E213: Witch in the Woods with AG Slatter

 

Today I welcome AG Slatter to the show, also known as Angela Slatter. She writes incredible gothic fantasy fairy tale retellings, including her latest book, A FOREST, DARKLY, about a menopausal forest witch. This is why I invited her on to chat about a beloved character type, “The Witch in the Woods.” We have a great chat about the work these characters do in story and for the Gothic, and we give some great recommendations, listed below.

Angela’s Recs

• The Ghost Woods by CJ Cooke
• After the Forest by Kell Woods
• Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethacott
• Slewfoot by Brom
• Hex House by Amy Jane Stewart
• (also mentioned) Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie

Agatha’s Recs

• Circe by Madeline Miller
• The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
• The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by CM Waggoner
• Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
• Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
• Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier