E106: Holiday Horror with Sadie Hartmann

 

Today, I chat with ⁠Sadie Hartmann⁠ about Holiday Horror. We discuss what makes this time of year perfect for horror and gothic, and we give both movie and book recommendations to help you settle into these cold nights with the sort of spookiness that almost feels cozy. You can find our book recommendations in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. I've made a list with the books we discuss in the episode, as well as the books discussed in my previous Holiday Horror episode with PN Hinton. I've also added any of the Seth's "Ghost Story for Christmas" books that are still in print. Please let me know if there is something you think I should add! Thanks for joining me today!

E105: Gigi Griffis and THE WICKED UNSEEN

 

Today, I chat with Gigi Griffis, who wrote the novelization of the Netflix historical romance series, THE EMPRESS, and a new YA horror novel about Satanic Panic in the 90s, called THE WICKED UNSEEN. I loved having a guest with two very different books, and the range of conversation that this can offer. I hope you enjoy it too. You can find Gigi’s books in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my ⁠Patreon⁠ community, buy ⁠merch⁠, or make a ⁠Ko-fi⁠ donation⁠. Thanks for joining me today. 

E104: Gardening Can Be Murder with Marta McDowell

 

Today, I chat with Marta McDowell about her fun and smart nonfiction book, GARDENING CAN BE MURDER, which breaks down the variety of ways that plants, gardens, gardiners, and tools have appeared in mystery novels. It’s a wonderful reference book for both writers and fans of mysteries and gothics. Oh yes, we discuss those roses at Manderley too. You can find ⁠GARDENING CAN BE MURDER⁠, in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

E103: Sadie Hartmann's "Gothic Era"

Today, I chat with Sadie Hartmann about her “gothic era.” I’ve enjoyed watching her revisit a genre she once loved, and her evolution as a horror advocate to embrace gothic as a proper facet of the genre. It’s an ongoing topic for gothic fans, and I enjoyed discussing it with Sadie. You can find her book, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered, in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide.  If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my ⁠Patreon⁠ community, ⁠buy merch⁠, or make a ⁠Ko-fi donation⁠ 

Thanks for joining me today!

FREE Patreon Episode!

 

NOW ON PATREON! If you want an early start on holiday gift ideas, LP Hernandez joins me for a podcast episode with recommendations we comp from books we featured this year. Recommended books are available in my Bookshop AND the episode is FREE on my Patreon! Here are the links to some of the books in the chat, if you want to get them from my Bookshop. Thank you so much for your support!

E101: Witch Retellings with Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

 

Today I chat with Olesya Salnikova Gilmore about Witch Retellings. Her novel, THE WITCH AND THE TSAR, out now in paperback, is a retelling of the famous Russian witch, Baba Yaga, so I felt like she was a perfect guest to discuss this topic. I hope you’ve enjoyed my October celebration of witches. You can find all these books in my online bookshop below if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation. Thanks for joining me today.

E100: Viking Witches with Genevieve Gornichec

Today I chat with Genevieve Gornichec about her Viking myth and history retellings, THE WITCH’S HEART and THE WEAVER AND THE WITCH QUEEN. I appreciate your patience waiting for this episode while I dealt with computer crashes and replacement, but I assure you it’s well worth the wait. We talk about these little known characters and why they remain relevant to our lives. We also chat about shield maidens and craft vs art throughout art history. It’s fascinating and I’m so happy I got to include her in my Month of Witches. You can find Genevieves’ books in my online bookshop below if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my ⁠Patreon⁠ community, buy merch, or make a ⁠Ko-fi donation⁠⁠. Thanks for joining me today.

 

Today I chat with Raquel Vasquez Gilliland about her new book, THE WITCH OF WILD THINGS. This is a bonus episode, so it’s short, but it packs a punch, and I’m so happy I got to include her in my Month of Witches. You can find THE WITCH OF WILD THINGS in my online bookshop below if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation. Thanks for joining me today.

E98: Lana Harper and the Witches of Thistle Grove

Today I chat with Lana Harper about her Thistle Grove series of witchy romances that have a range of magic and authentic human emotions. We talk about everything from rage and necromancy to the beauty of queer love on the page and the fun of spooky fantasy. You can find all of Lana’s books in my online bookshop listed below. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation. Thanks for joining me today!

E97: Celestine Martin and KISS AND SPELL

Today I continue my "Month of Witches" with a chat with Celestine Martin about her whimsical witch romance, “Kiss and Spell,” a book that revels in charm, taking readers to a place of delightful escapism. You can find “Kiss and Spell,” in my ⁠online bookshop⁠ if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have a ⁠Ko-fi donation link⁠ too. Thanks for joining me today!

E96: Sleepy Hollow, Witches, and Halloween with Alyssa Palombo

 

Today I chat with Alyssa Palombo about her Sleepy Hollow retelling, “The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel,” a book that’s become a Halloween reading tradition for many gothic fans. We talk about the atmosphere, compare the movie to the original story, we chat about the sex in the novel, and about how this book blends historical fiction with fantasy. 

You can find “⁠The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassell⁠,” in my ⁠online bookshop⁠ if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have a ⁠Ko-fi donation link⁠ here. Thanks for joining me today.

E95: May Cobb and A LIKEABLE WOMAN

Today I chat with May Cobb about her new novel, “A Likable Woman,” a novel filled with secrets, salacious characters, and the dread of coming home to a small Texas town while seeking answers. You can find “A Likeable Woman,” and May’s other books, in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, you can use my ⁠Ko-fi donation link⁠ here. Thanks for joining me today.

 

Today I chat with Rachel Harrison about her new novel, Black Sheep, about a woman who left her home and the religious cult in which she was raised, and finds her way back to attend a wedding. You’ll have to read it to figure out which is the scariest part of this scenario. So many options! It’s smart, layered, and will keep you at the edge of your seat for all the right reasons. You can find Black Sheep, and Rachel’s other books, in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, you can do so at my Ko-fi donation link. Thanks for joining me today. 

E93: Grady Hendrix on Vintage Gothic Romance

 

NEW EPISODE! Today I chat with Grady Hendrix about “Women Running from Houses,” which he wrote about in his nonfiction book about vintage horror novels from the 1970s and 80s, called “Paperbacks from Hell.” If you subscribe to his newsletter of the same name, you know he’s written about them there too. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as we did!

E92.5: Kate Khavari talks Murder, Plants and Poisons

Welcome to the She Wore Black Podcast. I’m Agatha Andrews. Today I chat with Kate Khavari about her fun historical mystery series that involves a female botanist in 1920s England, poisonous plants, murders, mayhem, and a bit of romance. You can find Kate’s books in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, you can do so at my Ko-fi donation link. Thanks for joining me today.

E92: ROMANTASY: Then and Now with Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Today, Sarah Wendell, from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, returns to chat about ROMANTASY, a new term for a long beloved subgenre that merges fantasy and romance. We have several book recommendations and compare old book covers with new trends. I have list of the books discussed in my ⁠online bookshop⁠ if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, you can do so at my ⁠Ko-fi donation link. 

If you want to find Sarah, you can find her at her Smart Bitches, Trashy Books website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

I included as many available titles in my online bookshop as possible. I made a list, and any book you buy through my shop helps support the show. Many were out of print, but are included in the images below, which also helps get a visual for the covers we discussed. 

E 91.5 Marielle Thompson: Gothic Madness and Romance in WHERE IVY DARES TO GROW

 

Today I chat with Marielle Thompson about her gothic novel, WHERE IVY DARES TO GROW. We talk about the trope of “gothic madness” and her dissociative disorder at the center of the novel, as well as time travel romance, sex and the character work it’s doing in her story, and she has some book recommendations for us. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy WHERE IVY DARES TO GROW and Marielle’s book recs through my online bookshop. If you want another way to help out the podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, you can do so at my Ko-fi donation link . Thanks for joining me today.

E91: WHALEFALL with Daniel Kraus

Today I chat with Daniel Kraus about his smash hit, WHALEFALL. We talk about craft, the ocean as haunted house, animals in horror, and “Shape of Water,” another story of his that I love. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy WHALEFALL through my online bookshop. If you want another way to help out the podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have a ⁠Ko-fi donation link. Thanks for joining me today

E90: Latino Horror Panel with Richard Santos, Flor Salcedo, and Leticia Urieta

 

Today I have the live recording from a Latino Horror panel event this summer that featured Richard Santos, the editor of the anthology “A Night of Screams: Latino Horror Stories.” Also on the panel were two contributing writers, Flor Salcedo and Leticia Urieta. You’ll hear audience questions in the second half of the show, so please excuse the noise of the mic passing back and forth. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy “A Night of Screams” through my online bookshop. If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Threads⁠, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have a ⁠Ko-fi donation link⁠ . Thanks for joining me today.

E89: Isabel Canas and THE VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE

 

Today I finally get to share my episode with Isabel Canas that we recorded in February, about her second novel, “Vampires of El Norte.” It’s an atmospheric and sexy story of a curandera, a vaquero, and a few monsters in 19th century Mexico. I’m thrilled both the book and the episode are now out in the world. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy books through my online bookshop. I have both THE HACIENDA, and VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE available. If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E88: Tor's Bramble Romance Imprint with Monique Patterson

Today I have Monique Patterson, the Vice President and Editorial Director of Bramble Romance, the new romance imprint from Tor Books. We chat about what she is looking to add to her stellar lineup of books, the debut titles in fall and winter, and the exciting goals Monique has for Bramble. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy books through my online bookshop. I will have the titles discussed available for pre-orders as they become available. If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. 

You can follow Bramble Romance on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

E87: Diana Biller Celebrates the Maiden Lane Series

 

Today I have romance novelist, Diana Biller, on to discuss our love of the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt. These books are gritty historical romance novels with Batman appeal, and they continue to inspire legions of fans and writers fifteen years after publication. 

If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy books through my online bookshop. I have both Diana Biller’s and any available Elizabeth Hoyt books there too.

If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have a Ko-fi donation link as well as links to all my socials. Thanks for joining me today.

E86: Cozy Video Gaming with Amanda from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books!

Today I have Amanda, the frequent co-host on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, to talk about Cozy Gaming. I first started playing video games when I heard her and Sarah talking about video games on Smart Bitches, so it felt right to have her on now that I’m a few years into this fun and relaxing cozy gaming journey. We had a great time, and I would love to know what cozy games you like to play or start playing after listening to this episode, so keep me posted! If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy books through my online bookshop.

If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have a Ko-fi donation site. Thanks for joining me today.

E85: Simone St. James

 

Today I continue my special birthday episodes, this time with one of my favorite authors, Simone St. James. We chat about her audio novella, “Ghost 19,” as well as answer listener questions and deep dive into her writing process. You’ll also hear about her next novel, which is already available for pre-order through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. 

    If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, I have my Ko-fi donation link on the sidebar, or you can click here. Thanks for joining me today.

E84: Birthday Episode with Max Booth!

 

Today I have a special birthday episode with Max Booth. We were both born on the 4th of July, and this year marks milestones for us both, as he turns 30 years old, and I turn 50. We chat about where we started, grave robbing, burial wishes, the Texas horror scene, self-publishing, and Ghoulish Books. I have several of their titles available through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also order directly from Max’s website at https://perpetualpublishing.com/

If you want another way to help out my She Wore Black Podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to make a donation or buy me a coffee, you can do that here or at the link in the right sidebar. Thanks for joining me today.

E81: "Liar's Beach" with Katie Cotugno

 

Today I have Katie Cotugno on the show to chat about her YA mystery novel, “Liar’s Beach.” It’s a twist on Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” with prep school kids on Martha’s Vineyard, and plenty of secrets . You can order “Liar’s Beach” through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at ⁠bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack⁠. You can also help out the show by following me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today. 

E82: "The Benevolent Society of Ill Mannered Ladies" with Alison Goodman

Today I have Alison Goodman on the show to chat about her regency adventure and mystery novel, “The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies.” We discuss how she flips gothic tropes to tell a new kind of story, how she writes agency into this book about middle aged women in a time with they had so little of it, and how she portrayed diversity in a historical London setting. This book was such a good time, and you can order it through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E81: Katrina Monroe and "The Graveyard of Lost Children"

 

Today I have Katrina Monroe on the show to chat about her new horror novel, “The Graveyard of Lost Children.” I do chat with her more about the horror of real life at various stages of pregnancy and motherhood than we do about the fictional horror elements of her novel, but we do get into the changeling a bit too. You can order Katrina’s books through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E80: Cynthia Pelayo and "The Shoemaker's Magician"

 

Today I have Cynthia Pelayo on the show to chat about her new gothic noir crime novel, “The Shoemaker’s Magician.” We talk about the comfort of old horror movies, the profound effect theaters have on our psyche, and autism representation in novels. You can order Cynthia’s books through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E79: Kyrie McCauley talks YA Sapphic Gothic Romance, Necromancy, and Book Banning

 

Today I have Kyrie McCauley on the show to talk about her new YA sapphic gothic romance novel, “All the Dead Lie Down.” We talk about beloved gothic romance tropes, as well as necromancy, the gruesome curiosity of kids, and the state of publishing a queer YA novel in a book banning environment. If you want to support these sorts of stories, you can order Kyrie’s book though my online bookshop, which also helps support both the podcast and independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

 

Today I have Jennifer Herrera on to talk about her new book, “The Hunter,” a crime novel in which a detective fired from the NYPD returns to her idyllic hometown to uncover the secrets behind several local deaths. Were they murders or a self-sacrifice to an ancient mystical calling beneath the town’s caves? You can find “The Hunter” in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following me on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. 

E77: Sarah Hawley Talks About Witches, Demons and Rom Coms!

 

Today I have Sarah Hawley on to talk about her book, “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon,” a spooky rom com that will appeal to lovers of both romance and horror. It’s funny and sexy while dealing with social issues and political power dynamics. Both the book and this interview will definitely surprise you. You can find “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon” in my online bookshop at if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help out the show by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today.

E76: Exploring Erotic Horror, BDSM, and Haunted Dungeons with Stephanie Parent

Today I have Stephanie Parent on to talk about her new book, “The Briars,” an erotic horror novel that takes place in a BDSM dungeon and explores the traditional haunted house idea in this context. The book is thoughtful and layered and beautiful, and we deep dive into all of its meaning as well as the personal experience she drew from to write the novel. This book is not available through my online bookshop for distribution reasons, but you can find it on Amazon. 

If you want to help out the show, you can make a donation through my Ko-fi page or buy other books through my online bookshop, which helps both the show as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today!

Today I welcome back Rachel Harrison to talk about “Female Friendships,” both good and bad, in literature and movies. We use Rachel’s books as a launching pad for this discussion since she has written several books and stories about this topic in nuanced and layered ways, and we have some great recommendations for you if you want to explore this topic with some other great writers too. You can find Rachel’s books, as well as those we recommend, in my⁠ ⁠online bookshop, where every purchase you make helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. You can also help the show by following me on⁠ instagram⁠,⁠ facebook⁠ and⁠ twitter⁠, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today!

E74: History of American Seances and Spiritualists with Kim Taylor Blakemore

 

Today I have Kim Taylor Blakemore on the show to talk about her gothic novel, “The Deception.” We talk a lot about the history of seances and spiritualists in America, and how that influenced her characters. It’s a short interview but lots of fun. You can find “The Deception” in my⁠ online bookshop, where every purchase you make helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. You can also help the show by following me on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ Facebook⁠ and⁠ Twitter⁠, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today! 

E73: Hester Fox and "The Last Heir to Blackwood Library"

Today I have Hester Fox back on the show to talk about her latest perfectly gothic novel, THE LAST HEIR TO BLACKWOOD LIBRARY. We deep dive into gothic subjects like madness, agency, scarred heroes and libraries, as well as her inspirations, like the movie “The Others” and the tv show, “Downton Abbey.” We also chat about beloved books and authors, all of which you can find in my⁠ ⁠online bookshop, where every purchase you make helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. You can also help the show by following me on⁠ instagram⁠,⁠ facebook⁠ and⁠ twitter⁠, and leaving me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining me today!