She Wore Black

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...

Today I have Heather Redmond on the show to discuss her Mary Shelley Mystery Series. We chat about why she chose to use the real author and her family as her main characters instead of writing in the world of Frankenstein. We also discuss her previous series, which did the same for Charles Dickens, and we chat about the state of historicals in the mystery genre. All links and show notes at https:/...

Today I have Lindsay Barrett on the show to discuss “Ghost Brides” in books. We chat about her new book, THE DRAVENHEARST BRIDES, a loose retelling of Daphne Du Maurier’s influential Gothic novel, REBECCA, set on a haunted bourbon distillery estate in Kentucky. We also discuss the universal interest in ghost brides and give some great book recommendations which I will have in my Bookshop if you wa...

Today I have Olivia Blacke on the show to discuss “Friendly Ghosts” in books. Olivia’s “Cordelia and Ruby” mysteries are a great example of helpful, non-frightening ghosts, and we use them as a launching pad to discuss the work these types of characters can do in a story. After all, ghosts were once people, so I think it’s fair to refer to them as characters instead of monsters. Also, we have Oliv...

Today I want to wish Neil McRobert, from the beloved horror podcast Talking Scared, a very happy birthday! He is a good friend, and I’m truly delighted that he is my guest today. He came on the show to discuss his new novella, GOOD BOY, a part of the Northern Weird project from Wild Hunt Books. We chat about the story, tap into Neil’s romantic side, and discuss the gothic inspirations from both li...

Today I chat with Julie Leong about Magical Artifacts. We discuss her new book, THE KEEPER OF MAGICAL THINGS, as a launching point for the work magical artifacts do in fiction, like quests for power or prestige. We have some great recommendations that capture these ideas. Julie's book is out October 14th. All links and show notes available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/

Welcome to the She Wore Black Podcast. I’m Agatha Andrews. Today I chat with Leanna Renee Hieber about her new book, AMERICA’S MOST GOTHIC, that she wrote with Andrea Janes. It’s a look at America’s haunted history through the lens of Gothic tropes. They interviewed me as part of their research, which was quite an honor, and they used my interview with Neil McRobert on my “What is Gothic?” episode...

Today I chat with Jen DeLuca about her new book, GHOST BUSINESS. It’s the second book in her romance series set in Boneyard Key, “the most haunted town in Florida.” I’ve been a fan of Jen DeLuca since her previous series, set in a Renaissance festival. We discuss her unusual settings and the reverence she has for these delightful, kitchy places. We also chat about her Gilmore Girls inspiration, as...

Today I chat with Rachel Harrison about her exceptional new book, PLAY NICE. We discuss her inspiration for the story, including real life examples of society’s need to scrutinize and demonize women, both real and fictional. We also discuss Gothic elements of the book, and the “book within a book” feature readers will see on the page.  All links and show notes available at https://www.sheworeblack...

Today I bring you the ultimate in Halloween vibes with Auralee Wallace as we celebrate her new cozy horror novel, THE LATE-NIGHT WITCHES. We chat about what Cozy Horror means to her and how it departs from her popular Cozy Mystery series. We talk about her real life inspiration for the horror elements in her new book, and how she became an overnight TikTok sensation with IN THE COMPANY OF WITCHES...

Today I welcome professor Alice Vernon to the show to discuss her newest book, GHOSTED: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF GHOST HUNTING, AND WHY WE KEEP LOOKING. It’s an engaging sociological look at Ghost Hunting primarily in British history. We discuss modern ghost hunting television shows, the evolving business approaches to ghost tours, and the escapades of her haunted doll, Bev, which she purchased on Ebay...

Today I welcome Ruby Dixon to the show to discuss her newest book, BY THE HORNS. It’s a fun monster romance with adventure, humor and spice, told with Ruby’s signature attention to craft. We discuss her journey as a writer, the evolution of monster romance and the work these stories do in fiction. She also answers questions from some of my Patreon members. Thank you Sarah Beth and Trevor for such...

Today I welcome Isabel Canas to the show to discuss her newest book, THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DIAZ. It’s a beautifully lush story with her signature cinematic storytelling. We discuss writing about possession in our current political climate, what possession means in the context of motherhood, and we get to the root of her core story. We also chat about genre blending between horror and romance, whi...