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 available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 shifters in her work. What an honor to have her on the show!
All links and show notes are on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 have great taste in books.
All links and show notes available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 Beth and Amy sections. All books, links and show notes are available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 unfortunate people accused of witchcraft. All links and show notes at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 needles or a special skill.
All links and show notes are on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 want to support my show as well as independent bookstores nationwide. All links and show notes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 Olivia to thank for a new feature at the end of each episode, where guests recommend their favorite indie bookshops. We had already finished recording when she suggested this so I’ll just say right now that her bookstore recommendations are Bookshelf on Church, in Kilmarnock, Virginia, and Bluebird and Co. in Crozet, Virginia.
All links and show notes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 literature and his surrounding landscape. All links and shownotes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 in the book. So, dear listener, you will definitely recognize things you love about She Wore Black in this book. Leanna and I also talk about her favorite ghost stories and tropes, and the respect we owe to the histories of the people behind the ghost stories. I do want to issue a trigger warning. When we discuss our favorite tropes, the story and information I contributed to this book is about the Suicide Brides of the Driskill Hotel. You may want to skip ahead if that topic is upsetting.
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 well the state of the ghost tour industry and how it inspired this book.
All links and show notes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 two years after the series ended.
All links and show notes on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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.
All links and show notes available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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 thoughtful questions! All links and show notes available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/
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, which you all know is my favorite combination.
Links and shownotes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/