She Wore Black

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...

Today I welcome back Heather Fawcett to chat about her new book AGNES AUBERT’S MYSTICAL CAT SHELTER. It’s a cozy fantasy that takes place in an alternate magical version of 1920s Montreal, and I love the juxtaposition of cats, messy magicians, and a woman who will do anything to save all the stray cats of Montreal. Heather and I also chat about the importance of community in Cozy Fantasy, and she...

Today I welcome back a good friend and wonderfully terrifying writer, Johnny Compton to chat about his new book DEAD FIRST. It’s his first venture into genre blending his usual love of horror with mystery and noir. We get into his influences for the book as well as discuss how he gives his stories the flavor and atmosphere that immerse the reader in his stories. We also chat about his new story co...

I want to start off by saying that I appreciate your patience waiting for me and my family to get better before editing and posting this episode. It’s difficult when the whole family is sick at once, especially during an ice storm, and I apologize for the delay. I also want to note that I have been asking my guests what bookstores they want to shout out, and while I didn’t ask Jayne while recordin...

Today I welcome back one of my favorite Gothic writers, Simone St. James. Her new book, A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS is out this month, perfect for fans of THE SUN DOWN MOTEL. We are careful not to reveal spoilers, but we enjoy revisiting her haunting fictional town of Fell, New York, and we chat about her inspirations that range from The X-Files to Stephen King novels read way too young. Simone is also...

Today I welcome one of my favorite romance writers, Diana Biller. She is also one of my favorite people, and I wanted someone really positive and smart that can always make me laugh to join me for my first episode of the new year. I’d seen the sudden and unexpected resurrection of Historical Romance towards the end of 2025, after being told all year that this genre was dead, so I wanted to set the...

Today I welcome Bookstagrammer, Nina - The Wandering Reader, to the show to discuss books set during Winter. Nina has a lovely aesthetic and flawless taste in books, and is a librarian that specializes in reader’s advisory. I have read and loved books I’d never heard of this year based on her recommendations, so I thought she’d be a perfect guest for this episode. All links and show notes availabl...

Today I welcome the legendary Anne Bishop to the show to discuss her new book, TURNS OF FATE, the first book in her new series, The Isle of Wyrd.  We chat about the genre blending she’s done for years across fantasy, horror and romance, as well as her longevity in an ever-changing publishing marketplace. We also talk about shifting in paranormal fiction since she always finds a new way to include...

Today I have the great pleasure of bringing you my favorite show to make every year, which is the look back on our Favorite Books of 2025. Joining me in the fun is delightful horror author, Brian McAuley, author of BREATH IN, BLEED OUT, and Sarah Wendell, podcaster extraordinaire behind Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Both are fan favorites and some of the nicest people you will ever meet, and they h...

Today I welcome Liz Parker back on the show to discuss Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN, as well as books that retell that story and nonfiction books that connect to this timeless classic. We also chat about THE OTHER MARCH SISTERS, a book that re-examines LITTLE WOMEN through the eyes of Jo March’s sisters. Liz wrote Meg’s chapters in the book, while Ally Malinenko and Linda Epstein wrote the Bet...

Today I welcome CJ Cooke back on the show to discuss her new book, THE LAST WITCH. I’ve read through all her books this year because she tells compelling gothic stories and sheds light on little known aspects of witches in history and folklore. We chat about the women that inspired this novel, new things she learned in her research, and the lovely ways Scotland has commemorated the history of the...

Today I welcome Nat Cassidy to the show to chat about werewolves in fiction and folklore. We use his latest novel, WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME, as a launching pad for this discussion, and we have fun discussing how werewolves work in different genres. We also have some great book recommendations for you, which you will find listed in show notes at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/

Today I get to share a dream come true with you! Silvia Moreno-Garcia joined me to chat about THE BEWITCHING, her new novel about witches told over three timelines. We also chat about the publishing industry, her own niche literary interests, and of course we talk about the Gothic genre. All links and show notes, including info on her recommended indie bookstores, are on my website at https://www....

Today I have Jenny Kiefer on the show to discuss CRAFTING FOR SINNERS, her new survival horror novel in which a trapped woman must fight her way out of a craft store owned by a religious cult. We chat about Jenny’s personal experience as a crafter, and how this book reflects current religiously rooted bigotry. We also chat about fighting oppressors using whatever you have available, be it knitting...