She Wore Black

Today, Chanel Cleeton joins me to talk about HOUSE ON BISCAYNE BAY, her new book that explores gothic through a Cuban-Floridian lens. We discuss the difference between writing this novel after her previous and popular historical fiction books that also center Cuban characters and history, and we have fun discussing how she created gothic atmosphere with opulence and peacocks. I have HOUSE ON BISCAYNE BAY in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, Rose Sutherland joins me to talk about A SWEET STING OF SALT, her new book that’s a historical fiction retelling of The Selkie Wife fairy tale. We discuss the origin story for this novel, her nuanced use of language, and creating queer stories with happy endings. I have A SWEET STING OF SALT in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I have Dr. Brandy Schillace on to chat about their fascinating life as a macabre researcher, Autism, and their charming new mystery novel, THE FRAMED WOMEN OF ARDEMORE HOUSE. We discuss the gruesome nonfiction novels they are known for, authentic representation of the autistic experience, and their appearances on History Channel shows as an expert on strange history. I have Dr. Schillace’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I welcome Paulette Kennedy back to the show to chat about her amazing new midcentury gothic novel, THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT. We chat about everything from Shirley Jackson to telekinesis metaphors, pyrex dishes and our love of aprons and Dolly Parton. We also get a peek at what she’s working on next. I have all of Paulette’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I welcome Roselle Lim to the show to chat about her much anticipated romantasy novel, NIGHT FOR DAY. It’s full of ghosts, petty gods at war, and a couple who have to outsmart them, trapped at the center of it all with death on the line. I have NIGHT FOR DAY in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I welcome back Tim McGregor, to chat about his newest book EYNHALLOW, a Bride of Frankenstein retelling that was so good I didn’t want to pick up anything else for a while. I think about this book a lot since I’ve read it, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts once you’ve read it too. I have EYNHALLOW and Tim’s other work in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I share with you my podcaster dream of chatting with Yangsze Choo. I’ve loved her work for years, and THE FOX WIFE is her wonderful new book full of mystery, fox folklore, gothic fantasy, and romance. It was such an honor to spend time discussing her books with her. If you want to read them for yourself, and want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, I’ve added her titles to my Bookshop at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I chat about Whimsigoth with paranormal romance author, Celestine Martin. We talk about these spooky, joyful, haunted, glittery worlds in movie and book recommendations for anyone seeking this aesthetic. We could have given recommendations for hours, so instead I made a list in my online Bookshop, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I chat with Sally Thorne, author of the delightful and macabre romance novel, ANGELIKA FRANKENSTEIN MAKES HER MATCH. Romance fans know Sally from her bestselling novel and Netflix hit, THE HATING GAME, but I wanted to chat about her gothic, gruesome, romance that explores Mary Shelley’s themes and ethics while making making us smile and swoon. You can find ANGLIKA FRANKENSTEIN MAKES HER MATCH in my online Bookshop, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I bring you a short but fun episode about Survival Horror, with Jenny Kiefer, author of the popular new book THIS WRECHED VALLEY, that takes place in Kentucky and was inspired by the Dyatlov Pass disaster. We recommend several Survival Horror books for you that will also be available in my online Bookshop, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, my Bookshop is bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/ Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I have a special New Year’s episode to ring in 2024. I’ve invited Neil McRobert, of the Talking Scared Podcast, which is a wonderful show and I encourage you all to listen if you haven’t already. I also have Rachel Harrison on today, author of some of my all time favorite books, like CACKLE and SUCH SHARP TEETH. She has a new book due out later in 2024, that’s like Thelma and Louise with vampires, called SO THIRSTY, which I know I’m definitely looking forward to. Please know that this list is just a jumping off point for all three of us. There were so many books to look forward to in 2024, and we couldn’t discuss all of them, but we hope this gets you excited about some things to come. I’ll try to make sure these are available for preorder in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today. Now, on to the show.

Today, I chat with Jess Armstrong about her delightful gothic novel, THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL. It’s a historical mystery romp much like the Veronica Speedwell novels we love from Deanna Reybourn, but Jess puts a gothic spin on this story and adds witches and folklore. It’s a lot of fun and you can find it in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I chat with Jessica McHugh about her new Black Out Poetry book, THE QUIET WAYS I DESTROY YOU, which was inspired by the beloved classic, LITTLE WOMEN. We discussed her process, female rage, and her previous collections inspired by THE SECRET GARDEN and FRANKENSTEIN. You can find Jessica’s books in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today, I chat (and laugh a lot) with Brian McAuley about the bloodier side of Holiday Horror. We discuss new book, CANDY CAIN KILLS, which is part of the VHS series from Shortwave Books. I was surprised at how much heart was in this slasher, and I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers. You can find CANDY CAIN KILLS in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

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. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

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. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

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. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

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. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I chat with Travis Baldree about BOOKSHOPS AND BONEDUST, his follow up to his breakout cozy fantasy hit, LEGENDS AND LATTES. We chat about writing, character development, and the charming story of a young Viv recovering from a battle wound in a seaside town, with skeletons and goblins and a bookstore. You can find both of Travis’ books in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

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 if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

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. 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 my Ko-fi donation link on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com, as well as links to all my socials. Thanks for joining me today.

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. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 my Ko-fi donation link on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com, as well as links to all my socials. Thanks for joining me today.

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. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 my Ko-fi donation link on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com, as well as links to all my socials. Thanks for joining me today.

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’ll 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 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 my Ko-fi donation link on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com, as well as links to all my socials. I will have links to Sarah’s website and socials as well, and you can listen to Smart Bitches, Trashy Podcast from the same places you’re listening to my show. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I chat with Daniel Kraus, author of the new smash hit of a horror novel, WHALEFALL. We talk about craft, the ocean as haunted house, animals in horror, and “Shape of Water,” another favorite story of his. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy WHALEFALL through my online bookshop, at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 my Ko-fi donation link on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com, as well as links to all my socials. Thanks for joining me today.

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, at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. 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 my Ko-fi donation link on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com, as well as links to all my socials. Thanks for joining me today.

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

Today I have Desiree M. Niccoli back on the show to celebrate MerMay, a month dedicated to art and books exploring mermaid myths around the world. I’ve made a list in my online bookshop of mermaid books discussed on this episode, as well as a few others. Ordering books through my store 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.