She Wore Black

Today I’ve invited author, Trang Thanh Tran, to talk about her book, “She is a Haunting,” a gothic YA novel set in Vietnam that centers an American born teen in a haunted house her Vietnamese born father is renovating in an old French Colonial area of his hometown. It’s got creeping hydrangeas, far too many bugs, and the ghost of a bride. You can pre-order your copy of "She is a Haunting" from my...

Welcome to the She Wore Black Podcast. I’m Agatha Andrews. Today I’ve invited author, Alexis Henderson, to talk about her book, “The House of Hunger.” We discuss Elizabeth Bathory, blood symbolism, gothic horror, gothic romance, and the sensuality of “taste.”  You can order your copy of "House of Hunger" from my online bookshop, which helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores n...

Today I’ve invited author, Johnny Compton, to talk about his upcoming book, “Spite House” from Tor Nightfire. We also talk about the Southern Gothic genre, especially how it’s evolved through marginalized voices.  You can pre-order your copy of "Spite House" from my online bookshop, which helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeb...

Today I’ve invited author, Grady Hendrix, to talk about his new book, “How to Sell a Haunted House.” It’s full of creepy dolls, family secrets, his trademark humor and a lot of heart. You can order your copy of "How to Sell a Haunted House" from my online bookshop. Every purchase using my link helps both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeb...

Today I am starting the New year with Paulette Kennedy as we discuss her new book, "The Witch of Tin Mountain." This novel follows three generations of witches from the Ozarks, and the fundamentalist preachers bent on stripping them of their power and autonomy. We talk about the mystical gothic setting, how Paulette's personal family history is woven in the story, mass hysteria, political theater,...

Today, I am doing something a little different. I’ve invited Stephanie Gagnon, from the Books in the Freezer podcast, to do a Gilmore Girls Read Horror episode, where we choose horror books we think various characters from the show would read. We have a lot of fun, and I want to thank Stephanie for recording the episode with me a second time after a mishap the first time around. It allowed us to r...

Today I have Desiree M. Niccoli on the show to talk about vicious mermaid book, “Called to the Deep.” This book explores a woman’s journey from surviving a disaster at sea to developing a taste for human flesh in her new form as a mermaid. She also develops a taste of a different kind for the handsome sea captain who saved her. We chat about metaphor in shifters and monster romance, why writers ar...

Today I have C.S. Humble on the show to talk about his new religious horror book, “All These Subtle Deceits,” out now from Sadie Hartman’s “Dark Harts” series. The book feels very much like a cross between “The Exorcist” and Neil Gaiman’s “Sandman.” It follows an excommunicated priest who tries to rid people of the ghosts and demons that haunt them. One woman’s possession proves especially difficu...

Today, is a special episode from my final live program at Lark and Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, Texas. I invited author, Celso Hurtado, to talk about his award winning book, “The Ghost Tracks.” He won the International Latino Book Award for this story that takes place around the famous haunted San Antonio train tracks. He answers questions both about his book and the legend that inspired it. You...

Today, I’ve invited author, Tim McGregor, to talk about his new novella, “Taboo in Four Colors,” that takes place in the comic book industry of the 1960s and 70s. It’s a gruesome and compelling look at how far two people will go for love. The second half of our conversation does contain spoilers, though, if you want to skip that part until you’ve read the book. You can order Tim’s books using my b...

Today, I’ve invited author, Rachel Harrison, to talk about her book, “Such Sharp Teeth,” but I love all her work so we really chat about all of it. This is one of my most cherished conversations because we talk so honestly about how her work reflects the female experience. We dive deep into what that looks like through her stories, revealing the complexity behind her charm. I want to issue a conte...

Today, I’ve invited author, Diana Biller, to talk about the craft of writing gothic romance. Her book, The Widow of Rose House, became an instant hit with gothic romance fans because she combined beloved tropes with new ideas. All of her work is smart, sexy, funny and enchanting, and I learned a lot from our conversation. We do talk about writing sex, so you may want earbuds if you’re listening ne...

Today I bring you a bonus episode about a wonderful nonfiction book, “A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America’s Ghosts.” It’s one of the best books I’ve read about ghosts in American history and regional myth, with thoughtful analysis that centers women as both subject and storytellers. I did this as part of a series of “live” podcast episodes I was invited to do at Lark and...

Today I chat with Sara Crocoll Smith about Edgar Allan Poe. She just won the Saturday Visitor Award from the Poe Museum for the first in her “Love Letters To Poe” anthology series, “A Toast to Edgar Allan Poe.” I will put purchase links in the show notes, as well as links to other Poe resources discussed in the episode. Thanks for joining us today.

Today I chat with Briana Una McGuckin about her kink-positive gothic suspense novel, “On Good Authority.” If you are listening to this in proximity of children and are not yet ready to answer questions about kink, I suggest you listen with ear buds. Though not explicit, this conversation is honest and it was wonderful to chat with someone who wrote about it so beautifully. You can order “On Good A...

Today I chat Kris Waldherr. We discuss her novel, “Unnatural Creatures,” a retelling of Frankenstein from the point of view of the women in the story. We also chat a bit about her journey and success with self-publishing after decades working for the biggest publishing houses. You can order “Unnatural Creatures” using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nati...

Today I bring you a special episode, a recording from my live podcast event with RJ Joseph and Johnny Compton at Lark and Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, Texas. We discuss “Ghost Stories from Black Voices,” including their own work as well as what inspired them. I didn’t include their readings from their work for the sake of time, but that’s also one of the special things you get when you come to a...

Today I chat with suspense author Rachel Hawkins, known in the romance community as Erin Sterling. We talk about both her suspense and her witchy rom-coms, as well as her inspiration from gothic classics. You can order any of her books using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. You can also help out the sh...

Today I chat with middle grade and young adult author, Kalynn Bayron. We talk about her upcoming middle grade vampire novel, “The Vanquishers,” and her new young adult novel “This Wicked Fate,” the second book in her witchy “This Poison Heart” series. Both of these books celebrate Black and queer characters, and we chat about the joy that comes with seeing them in stories that are fun and involve...

Today I get to talk to an author you’ve heard me discuss numerous times on the podcast, Simone St. James. She’s an icon for me so it was really special to be able to discuss her collective works with her. We talk about everything from writing sex to building dread, and I know I certainly learned a lot. You can order any of her books using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as indepe...

Today, I’m a little beside myself. It was my absolute dream to talk to Kelly Barnhill and it was such a treat to finally have that dream realized. I’ve been a fan of her short fiction and middle grade writing for years, and she indulged me in a lengthy conversation about one short story in particular, “Mrs. Sorensen and the Sasquatch.” We also discuss her new novel, “When Women Were Dragons,” as w...

Today, I’ve invited author, Tiffany Meuret, to talk about her book, “Little Bird,” an unusual story that has a talking skeleton and plants with a mind of their own. We discuss cozy horror, gardens as metaphor, and the world of publishing with small presses. You can order your copy of “Little Bird” using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well as independent bookstores nationwide. That’s...

Today, I’ve invited author, Ruben Degollado, to talk about his book, “The Family Izquierdo,” a multigenerational story that follows a family that lives on the Texas/Mexican border. We discuss authentic representation, mental health, curses, brujos, curanderas, Selena and menacing grackles. This book captured the nuance of the people and places of south Texas beautifully. You can order your copy of...

Today, I’ve invited author, Gwendolyn Kiste, to talk about her book, “Reluctant Immortals,” her novel that blends Jane Eyre and Dracula for a hippie, feminist story about reclaiming autonomy from the men who stole it. This was such a creative, moving and fun read that I can't recommend enough. You can order your copy of “Reluctant Immortals” using my bookshop.org link to support the show, as well...

Today, I’ve invited author, April Yates to talk about her book, “Ashthorne,” a sapphic gothic romance set in a remote English manor that has hidden secrets. We talk about the recently discovered caves in England that inspired her story, as well as a desire for positive representations of gay love in gothic romances. You can order your copy of “Ashthorne” using my bookshop.org link to support the s...