She Wore Black

Today I welcome Sharon Lynn Fisher to the show to discuss two of her books I read this year. SALT AND BROOM is a witch retelling of Jane Eyre, and her new book, GRIMM CURIOUSITIES, is a perfect Yuletide ghost story that explores Krampus while using the Dickensian atmosphere of a Victorian curiosity shop. Both books manage to honor their Gothic inspiration while offering a cozy atmosphere, and we d...

Today I welcome Jocelyn Codner, an academic librarian that I know from her work with the Horror Writers Association and their Summer Scares program, and Jenny Adams, the author of the delightful mystery novel, A DEADLY ENDEAVOR, and an elementary school librarian. I wanted to dive into the state of literacy in America with two librarians that are connected to the genre work I do on the show, and g...

Today I welcome Neil McRobert from the beloved horror podcast, Talking Scared. I wanted to discuss Gothic, what it is and why it matters that we understand the difference between Gothic and other genres. I’ve become concerned about the rise of anti-intellectualism combined with a consumer culture that seems to miss the point of reading, and I wanted to speak with someone with an academic backgroun...

Today I welcome Stephanie Barron to the show to discuss both her Jane Austen mystery series and the appeal of mystery books set at Christmas. We talk about Jane Austen in the first half of the show, and what made her an interesting character for detective fiction, and we use the Christmas book in the series, JANE AND THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS as a launch pad for other Christmas mystery recommen...

Today I welcome back Kate Khavari to discuss Green Academia, a historical science aesthetic we apply to book recommendations. It’s not a real subgenre, but I thought this would be fun. Kate’s Saffron Everleigh mystery series centers a botanist in academia in the early 20th century, so she was the perfect guest for this discussion. We chat about the difference between STEM and Green Academia, and w...

Today I welcome back Sarah Hawley to discuss her new book, SERVANT OF EARTH, a romantasy with a sentient knife and strong female friendships. We chat about the origins of this book and how it compares to her witchy romcoms, and we discuss the unintentional timing of a story about a woman rising up against a tyrannical king. All links and show notes can be found on my website at https://www.shewore...

Today I have Cynthia Gomez on the show to discuss Story Collections by individual authors. We discuss the point of writing short stories vs novels, and the different ways collections can tell a single broader story from the stories within it. We also give you some great recommendations, including Cynthia’s collection THE NIGHTMARE BOX AND OTHER STORIES. All show notes and links can be found on my...

Today I have Ivy Fairbanks on the show to discuss Spooky RomComs. Ivy is the author of MORBIDLY YOURS, a romantic comedy set in the funeral business. We discuss the work RomComs do and why spooky settings and ghosts are having a moment. We did not include witches or monsters because the non-magical human animal, dead or alive, brings its own spooky elements to any story. We also give you some grea...

Del’s debut novel, THIS CURSED HOUSE, revels in traditional gothic tropes in the context of issues embedded in gothic novels set in the American South. It’s a fresh take on a long tradition of this subgenre, and we discuss what sets Southern Gothic apart from other gothic novels. We also give you some great recommendations. All show notes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/

Today I have Rachel Harrison, author of SO THIRSTY, and Stephanie Gagnon from Books in the Freezer on the show to discuss Pumpkins and Pumpkin Books…mostly. A few of the recommendations are fall vibes that allude to pumpkins. We have the best time and I hope you all have as much fun listening to this episode as we had making it. All show notes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com

Today I have V. Castro and Johnny Compton on the show to discuss Gods and Monsters. They’ve both written stories that explore this combination of characters, so I thought they would be perfect guests to speak to our interest that dates back to antiquity. We discuss vampires and whether gods care about their existence. We chat about how good can’t exist without evil, and we give a few of our favori...

Today I have Alexis Henderson on the show to discuss Dark Academia, as well as her new book, AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS. We discuss the origins and central themes to this subgenre, and we give a few of our favorite book recommendations so you can explore the gothic, sinister and secret worlds hidden within the walls of elite schools, libraries and museums.   I have a list in my Bookshop of our recommend...

Today I have BR Myers on the show to chat about her new book, THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE, a gothic novel that revels in beloved tropes like remote coastal manors, insufferable guardians, ghosts, and dead brides. The book also has a sexy French minister as a love interest, which we get into as well. Show notes available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/

Today I kick off my new season by welcoming Rachel Harrison back to the show. We chat about her new book, SO THIRSTY . It’s pitched as “Thelma and Louise with vampires,” but it’s also about personal and societal concepts of aging, and finding our worth within this cultural context. The book comes out September 10th.

Today I chat with Mary McMyne about her new book, A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME. It’s a gothic Shakespeare retelling of the sonnets from the point of view of the Dark Lady or witch in the poems. We discuss the scandalous nature of the Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, as well as the dark turn the famously revered sonnets take.

Today I am delighted to welcome Megan Bannen on the show. We chat about both THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY and THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK, her new book released July 2nd. We chat about the strange and wonderful worlds she built for these stories, as well as her inclusion of everything from zombies, glitter-breathing dragons, and a great romance between characters in their 50s. It’s a g...

Today I invited Celestine Martin to join me in a discussion about COTTAGECORE. We discuss the aesthetic and focus on what cottage retreats and the lifestyle mean to both characters and stories. We also have some book recommendations that I will include in both my website and in a list in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.or...

Today I have E.K. Sathue on the show to chat about her new book, YOUTHJUICE. We discuss the toxicity of beauty culture, including the wealth privilege that accompanies it. We look at various inspirations for this novel, from the historical figure of Elizabeth Bathory to social media influencers. We also chat about the gruesome body horror she leans into as a writer. I have YOUTHJUICE in my Booksho...

Today I welcome back Sarah Wendell from the beloved Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog and podcast. We talk about CRONELIT, in other words, why books that center women of a certain age are having a moment. We also discuss books that address aging within a youth obsessed culture. We offer plenty of recommendations and examples, which I will have in a shopping list in my Bookshop if you want to suppor...

Today I have Crystal J. Bell on to chat about her YA Gothic novel, THE LAMPLIGHTER, about woman in a coastal village where sinister things lurk in the woods, the fog, the ships, and the people of the town. It’s a book that revels in gothic atmosphere while centering new story elements. I have THE LAMPLIGHTER in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores n...

Today I have debut author, Sydney Shields, and I’m releasing this episode early because she was such a delight and her book, THE HONEY WITCH , hit every note that many of us need right now. I simply couldn’t wait to share this conversation with all of you. I have THE HONEY WITCH in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop...

Today I have Katherine Arden on the show to discuss THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS, her lastest book that explores historical horror set during World War I. We discuss ghosts and memory, common ground with fantasy and horror, and her thoughts on the early 20th century and steampunk. I have Katherine’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwi...

Today, Gwendolyn Kiste returns to the show to discuss THE HAUNTING OF VELKWOOD , her lastest book about childhood friends that return to their haunted neighborhood decades after escaping it. We discuss the brutality of youth, the gothic and stasis, as well as horror through the lens of older women. I have Gwendolyn’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independe...

Today, Nalini Singh joins me to talk about ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE, her lastest book in her Guild Hunter series. We discuss genre merging, the immortal appeal of angels as characters, her writing schedule, and what’s next in her Psy-Changeling series. I have ARCHANGEL’S LINEAGE in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/shew...

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 BISCA...