She Wore Black

Today I have Madison Tyler Nelson on the show to chat about Art in Gothic. Her new book, PORTRAIT OF A HAUNTING is an exciting debut that uses painting and bodily fluids and mothers to tell an unforgettable Gothic story. She was the perfect guest to chat about art in Gothic books, and I love that range of titles we chat about here. All links and show notes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodc...

Today I welcome Emma Cole to the show to chat about movies that blend horror and romance, which is also the topic of her new nonfiction book, LOVE NEVER DIES: ROMANCE IN HORROR MOVIES. We talk about a range of films, from Hitchcock to the Lost Boys , and my favorite era…the 90s resurgence of luxurious Gothic in film, including Dracula , Interview with a Vampire , and Sleepy Hollow . It was a lot o...

Today I welcome back Isabel Canas to the show to chat about her new book, THE HOUSE OF GARDENIAS. It’s a Gothic YA novel that is as riveting and haunting as her other books. It was great to chat with her about writing for this audience while maintaining everything we’ve come to love from her as a writer. I highly recommend it for fans of her work, and her tour info is in show notes if you want to...

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...

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 w...

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. All links and show notes...

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...

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. All...

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...

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. All links and show notes available at https://www.s...

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...

Today I have Chelsea Conradt on the show to chat about her new book, THE SECRET ATTIC. It’s a gothic with hoarding, creepy dolls and a nod to Rebecca. It was a treat to chat with Chelsea and I’m already excited for next book! Stay tuned until the end to hear what that one is all about. All links and show notes at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/

Happy Bastile Day! I’ve schedule this episode for today because I am joined by Sara Hinkley to chat about French Gothics. By this I don’t mean that very specific academic field that studies 19th century Gothic French novels. I mean we are chatting about Gothics, new and old, that take place in France. Sara’s book is a glorious ode to vampires, the theater, and the Romantique of dark stories in Fra...

Today’s episode is one of the most special I’ve ever recorded, at least for me. Simone St. James and Christina Henry join me for a conversation about the books of Mary Stewart, an extremely influential Suspense writer that wrote smart, independent women using gorgeous and witty prose. Her ability to write banter, romantic tension and high stakes suspense is unmatched, and it was such a joy to me t...

Today I have TJ Payne on the show to chat about writing and how his career has taken him from Hollywood writing rooms to self-publishing to publishing with one of the Big 5. TJ’s screenwriting experience includes cherished memories working with Rob Reiner and on new and upcoming Netflix shows like The Boroughs (produced by the Duffer Brothers) and Little House on the Prairie. I also chat about his...

Today I welcome back the always delightful Kate Khavari to give you all some book recommendations if you love the movie The Mummy. Kate’s new book, A BOTANIST'S GUIDE TO TRADITION AND TREACHERY, is also a perfect book comp to this iconic film. As always, Kate has impeccable taste, and she did ask for feedback from you all that read these recs, so be sure to follow her on social media. All link...

Today I bring you another Goth Girl Summer episode with Rachel Harrison and Stephanie Gagnon from the Books in the Freezer podcast. We had so much fun with it last year, and there are an abundance of books perfect for summer that fit our spooky or melancholy moods so well. We had a great time, and I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we had fun making it. All links and show notes...

Today I have C.M Waggoner on the show to chat about her books, THE VILLAGE LIBRARY DEMON HUNTING SOCIETY and THE SOMEWHAT WICKED WITCH OF BRIGANDALE. We discuss voice and humor, her ability to write “women of a certain age,” and what it means to write cozy books with stakes. I love her style, her wit and her incredible imagination, so definitely add her books to your TBRs. All links and show notes...

Today I welcome Savannah Stephens to the show to chat about Black Witches in fiction. To be clear, we are not talking about ‘black magic,’ we are discussing books that feature Black characters that are also witches. Savannah’s book, WITCH QUEEN RISING, is a genre blend of fantasy and horror that takes place in New Orleans. It has werewolves, vampires, and a witch who must reluctantly return home t...

Today I have Jennifer from the famous social media accounts, “Art of the Clinch,” which features book covers and information on vintage romance paperbacks, including vintage gothics during October. I wanted an episode about collecting these old paperbacks, whether you’re interested in old clinch covers, “women running from houses” gothic romances, or paperbacks from hell, and I thought Jennifer wa...

I’m particularly excited because today I welcome Moorea Coorigan to the show to chat about Downton Abbey Readalikes. Her book, Thistlemarsh, is a historical fantasy that takes place in the aftermath of WWI. She’s really well read on this historical period, as you’ll see in the show, and we had an absolute blast talking about how the books we picked connect to one of our favorite comfort shows. All...

Today I welcome Dawn Kurtagich to the show to chat about Folk Horror, a subgenre that spans the globe because of a universal interest in folklore and fairytale. We chose five books each as a springboard for our conversation, but we hope it helps if you want to give it a try. Dawn’s new book, THE SEVENTH SISTER, was the perfect launching pad for this subject since it’s about seven sisters who are s...

Today I welcome Nicole Glover to the show to chat about Cats in Fiction. We cover a range of genres, from Gothic to Cozy Fantasy. Nicole’s latest book, THE STARSEEKERS, is a blend of murder mystery, magic, and science - specifically space travel. Naturally, a cat is also at the heart of this story. She was a lovely guest and will also my Patreon Book Club featured author in October with her book T...

Today I welcome back Nat Cassidy to talk about Horror Comics, a topic near and dear to my heart, but it’s also one that may surprise you. Horror Comics have as much range as the Horror genre in regular fiction books, so I hope you all enjoy our chat and are inspired to walk into your local comic books shop to explore what’s out there. I will also have the titles from our chat that are still in pri...

Today I have the honor of chatting with the iconic Vincent Virga. His book, GAYWYCK was the first book published that featured gay characters to fall in love and have a happy ending. Until this point, gay characters were either villains or met tragic endings. I contacted him as part of my research for my own book about vintage Gothic Romances, and I’m delighted that his work is still in print. All...