She Wore Black

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 booksto...

Today, I chat with Constance Sayers about her beautiful gothic novels, including her newest one, THE STAR AND THE STRANGE MOON. It’s a book about an obscure French horror film, and the actress who disappeared into it. It’s a gorgeous book, like all of her other horror novels,  which you can find in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationw...

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 n...

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 w...

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 bookstor...

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...

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 b...

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...

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 po...

Today I chat with Olesya Salnikova Gilmore about Witch Retellings. Her novel, THE WITCH AND THE TSAR, out now in paperback, is a retelling of the famous Russian witch, Baba Yaga, so I felt like she was a perfect guest to discuss this topic. I hope you’ve enjoyed my October celebration of witches. You can find all these books in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as...

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 m...

Today I chat with Raquel Vasquez Gilliland about her new book, THE WITCH OF WILD THINGS. This is a bonus episode, so it’s short, but it packs a punch, and I’m so happy I got to include her in my Month of Witches. You can find THE WITCH OF WILD THINGS 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....

Today I chat with Lana Harper about her Thistle Grove series of witchy romances that have a range of magic and authentic human emotions. We talk about everything from rage and necromancy to the beauty of queer love on the page and the fun of spooky fantasy. You can find all of Lana’s books in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. T...

Today I chat with Celestine Martin about her whimsical witch romance, “Kiss and Spell,” a book that revels in charm, taking readers to a place of delightful escapism. You can find “Kiss and Spell,” 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 podcast, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and...

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 Pod...

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 . I...

Today I chat with Rachel Harrison about her new novel, “Black Sheep,” about a woman who left her home and the religious cult in which she was raised, and finds her way back to attend a wedding. You’ll have to read it to figure out which is the scariest part of this scenario. So many options! It’s smart, layered, and will keep you at the edge of your seat for all the right reasons. You can find “Bl...

Today I chat with Grady Hendrix about vintage gothic romances, also known as “Women Running from Houses.” I wanted to talk to Grady specifically because he wrote about them in his nonfiction book about vintage horror novels from the 1970s and 80s, called “Paperbacks from Hell.” If you subscribe to his newsletter of the same name, you know he’s written about them there too. You can find “Paperbacks...

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/s...

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...

Today I chat with Marielle Thompson about her gothic novel, WHERE IVY DARES TO GROW. We talk about the trope of “gothic madness” and her dissociative disorder at the center of the novel, as well as time travel romance, sex and the character work it’s doing in her story, and she has some book recommendations for us. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwid...

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 anoth...

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 t...

Today I finally get to share my episode with Isabel Canas that we recorded in February, about her second novel, “Vampires of El Norte.” It’s an atmospheric and sexy story of a curandera, a vaquero, and a few monsters in 19th century Mexico. I’m thrilled both the book and the episode are now out in the world. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you...

Today I have Monique Patterson, the Vice President and Editorial Director of Bramble Romance, the new romance imprint from Tor Books. We chat about what she is looking to add to her stellar lineup of books, the debut titles in fall and winter, and the exciting goals Monique has for Bramble. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy books thro...