She Wore Black

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/

Today I welcome Sarah Beth Durst to the show to discuss her newest book, THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE. It’s a delightful cozy fantasy novel with sentient plants, a winged cat, and some subtle commentary on who has the right to learn and the importance of libraries in our communities. We also discuss a bit about craft and genre blending, if you’re interested in writing a cozy fantasy yourself. All links and shownotes available on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com

Today I welcome Sangu Mandanna to the show to discuss her newest book, A WITCH’S GUIDE TO MAGICAL INNKEEPING. It’s a wonderful book full of whimsy, self-reflection, and the most unusual ghosts I’ve ever read. This book wasn’t just a pleasure to read, it was so well written that I asked as much about craft as I did about her cozy fantasy elements. We also discuss the autism representation in her book, so I hope that has as much meaning for you as it did for me. 

Today I welcome two of my favorite people back to the show to help me celebrate my birthday. Stephanie Gagnon, from Books in the Freezer, and Rachel Harrison join me for this special episode full of Goth Girl Summer book recommendations. Please excuse the number of F-bombs I drop. If you have little ones around you, put your ear pods in, then have a great time with us. All links and shownotes available at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/