She Wore Black

Today I have romance novelist, Diana Biller, on to discuss our love of the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt. These books are gritty historical romance novels with Batman appeal, and they continue to inspire legions of fans and writers fifteen years after publication. If you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide, you can buy books through my online booksh...

Today I have Amanda, the frequent co-host on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, to talk about Cozy Gaming. I first started playing video games when I heard her and Sarah talking about video games on Smart Bitches, so it felt right to have her on now that I’m a few years into this fun and relaxing cozy gaming journey. We had a great time, and I would love to know what cozy games you like to play or start...

Today I continue my special birthday episodes, this time with one of my favorite authors, Simone St. James. We chat about her audio novella, “Ghost 19,” as well as answer listener questions and deep dive into her writing process. You’ll also hear about her next novel, which is already available for pre-order through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bo...

Today I have a special birthday episode with Max Booth. We were both born on the 4th of July, and this year marks milestones for us both, as he turns 30 years old, and I turn 50. We chat about where we started, and what we still want to accomplish. The range of these things includes everything from grave robbing and burial wishes, to the Texas horror scene and self-publishing. We also talk about G...

Today I have Katie Cotugno on the show to chat about her YA mystery novel, “Liar’s Beach.” It’s a twist on Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” with prep school kids on Martha’s Vineyard, and plenty of secrets . You can order “Liar’s Beach” through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/shew...

Today I have Alison Goodman on the show to chat about her regency adventure and mystery novel, “The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies.” We discuss how she flips gothic tropes to tell a new kind of story, how she writes agency into this book about middle aged women in a time with they had so little of it, and how she portrayed diversity in a historical London setting. This book was such a g...

Today I have Katrina Monroe on the show to chat about her new horror novel, “The Graveyard of Lost Children.” I do chat with her more about the horror of real life at various stages of pregnancy and motherhood than we do about the fictional horror elements of her novel, but we do get into the changeling a bit too. You can order Katrina’s books through my online bookshop, which helps support both t...

Today I have Cynthia Pelayo on the show to chat about her new gothic noir crime novel, “The Shoemaker’s Magician.” We talk about the comfort of old horror movies, the profound effect theaters have on our psyche, and autism representation in novels. You can order Cynthia’s books through my online bookshop, which helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at...

Today I have Kyrie McCauley on the show to talk about her new YA sapphic gothic romance novel, “All the Dead Lie Down.” We talk about beloved gothic romance tropes, as well as necromancy, the gruesome curiosity of kids, and the state of publishing a queer YA novel in a book banning environment. If you want to support these sorts of stories, you can order Kyrie’s book though my online bookshop, whi...

Today I have Desiree M. Niccoli back on the show to celebrate MerMay, a month dedicated to art and books exploring mermaid myths around the world. I’ve made a list in my online bookshop of mermaid books discussed on this episode, as well as a few others. Ordering books through my store helps support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeb...

Today I have Jennifer Herrera on to talk about her new book, “The Hunter,” a crime novel in which a detective fired from the NYPD returns to her idyllic hometown to uncover the secrets behind several local deaths. Were they murders or a self-sacrifice to an ancient mystical calling beneath the town’s caves? You can find “The Hunter” in my online bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as...

Today I have Sarah Hawley on to talk about her book, “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon,” a spooky rom com that will appeal to lovers of both romance and horror. It’s funny and sexy while dealing with social issues and political power dynamics. Both the book and this interview will definitely surprise you. You can find “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon” in my online bookshop at bookshop...

Today I have Stephanie Parent on to talk about her new book, “The Briars,” an erotic horror novel that takes place in a BDSM dungeon and explores the traditional haunted house idea in this context. The book is thoughtful and layered and beautiful, and we deep dive into all of its meaning as well as the personal experience she drew from to write the novel. This book is not available through my onli...

Today I welcome back Rachel Harrison to talk about “Female Friendships,” both good and bad, in literature and movies. We use Rachel’s books as a launching pad for this discussion since she has written several books and stories about this topic in nuanced and layered ways, and we have some great recommendations for you if you want to explore this topic with some other great writers too. You can fin...

Today I have Kim Taylor Blakemore on the show to talk about her gothic novel, “The Deception.” We talk a lot about the history of seances and spiritualists in America, and how that influenced her characters. It’s a short interview but lots of fun. You can find “The Deception” in my online bookshop, where every purchase you make helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. T...

Today I have Hester Fox back on the show to talk about her latest perfectly gothic novel, THE LAST HEIR TO BLACKWOOD LIBRARY. We deep dive into gothic subjects like madness, agency, scarred heroes and libraries, as well as her inspirations, like the movie “The Others” and the tv show, “Downton Abbey.” We also chat about beloved books and authors, all of which you can find in my online bookshop, wh...

Today I have V. Castro on the show for the fourth time! We talk about her gorgeous book, THE HAUNTING OF ALEJANDRA, the trials of motherhood, generational trauma, and Depeche Mode. You’ll see why. I do want to offer a trigger warning for discussion of postpartum depression and intrusive thoughts, but it’s an important and thoughtful conversation, and a topic that is very personal to V. Castro. You...

Today, in a first ever surprise treat on the show, I have two of my favorite mystery writers. Deanna Raybourn is the author of the popular Victorian mystery series, Veronica Speedwell. Her newest book, “A Sinister Revenge,” involves fossils, murder, and the continued romantic adventures between the two main characters, Veronica and Stoker. Halfway through the show, we are joined by the much belove...

Today I have Rosanna Leo on the show to discuss her new ghost hunting romance, “Darke Passion,” a story about a ghost hunting trio of sisters investigating a haunted inn, with a romance between the skeptics that happens along the way. We chat about ghost hunting, our favorite ghost shows, and of course her book, which you can find on my online bookshop. Every purchase you make using my link helps...

Today I’m thrilled to have Diana Biller back on the show, and I’m so thankful she stuck through a second recording after a tornado disconnected us mid-recording. You might remember my popular previous episode with her about the craft of writing Gothic Romance, and she is back today to discuss her new historical romance, “Hotel of Secrets,” a novel that feels like it was dipped in honey and champag...

Today I’ve invited Lauren Owen to talk about her gothic folk horror novel, “Small Angels.” We chat about her fairy tale inspirations as well as ghost brides, murder ballads and so much more. I hope you enjoy it! You can order “Small Angels” from my online bookshop, which helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. You can also help...

Today I’ve invited the legendary Laurell K. Hamilton to talk about her career writing her much beloved Anita Blake series. We chat about her deft genre blending and how including horror allowed her to write the sort of mystery she wanted. We also discuss how she broke barriers representing polyamory and BDSM, and the important ways her books impacted readers. She was so generous with her time that...

Today I’ve invited author, Liz Parker, to talk about her charming Southern mystery, “In the Shadow Garden.” The book tackles big themes, like love and death, in the context of magical gardens and bourbon with special powers, making for an enchanting read. You can order “The Shadow Garden” from my online bookshop, which helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at...

Today I’ve invited author, Julia Bartz, to talk about her debut thriller, “The Writing Retreat.” The book is unsettling, yet immensely entertaining, as you follow a selected group of writers at a retreat in the haunted house of their favorite horror author. Julia’s book was selected for February’s Book of the Month, but you can also order it from my online bookshop, which helps both the podcast as...

Today I’ve invited author, Travis Baldree, to talk about his wonderful cozy fantasy book, “Legends and Lattes,” about an orc who retires from her bloody work to open a coffee shop in a village that’s never heard of coffee. It’s got a cast of wonderful characters and will make you hungry for all the delicious baked goods in the story, as well as make you feel happy and cozy when reading it. You can...