E220: Theater Gothic with Erin Craig

 

Today Erin Craig returns to the show to chat about “Theater in Gothic.” Erin’s new book, OUR STRANGE DUET, is a retelling of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Erin does make a point of noting that this is not a retelling of the novel. Rather, it’s a tie-in to the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical, so our theme is tied to both the theatrical story and the theatrical production. I hope you enjoy our book recommendations! 

Erin’s Book Recs

• The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
• The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell
• The Prestige by Christopher Priest
• Come Knocking by Mike Bockoven
• The Night Crossing by Robert Masello

Agatha’s Book Recs

• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
• The Red Sacriment by Sara Hinkley
• She Haunts Me Still by De Elizabeth
• If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
• Shadowplay by Joseph O’Conner

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