She Wore Black

Today I have Alexis Henderson on the show to discuss Dark Academia, as well as her new book, AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS. We discuss the origins and central themes to this subgenre, and we give a few of our favorite book recommendations so you can explore the gothic, sinister and secret worlds hidden within the walls of elite schools, libraries and museums.  

I have a list in my Bookshop of our recommendations, and several other Dark Acadmeia staples, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I have BR Myers on the show to chat about her new book, THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE, a gothic novel that revels in beloved tropes like remote coastal manors, insufferable guardians, ghosts, and dead brides. The book also has a sexy French minister as a love interest, which we get into as well.

Show notes available on my website at https://www.sheworeblackpodcast.com/

Today I kick off my new season by welcoming Rachel Harrison back to the show. We chat about her new book, SO THIRSTY. It’s pitched as “Thelma and Louise with vampires,” but it’s also about personal and societal concepts of aging, and finding our worth within this cultural context. The book comes out September 10th.

Today I chat with Mary McMyne about her new book, A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME. It’s a gothic Shakespeare retelling of the sonnets from the point of view of the Dark Lady or witch in the poems. We discuss the scandalous nature of the Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, as well as the dark turn the famously revered sonnets take.

Today I am delighted to welcome Megan Bannen on the show. We chat about both THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY and THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK, her new book released July 2nd. We chat about the strange and wonderful worlds she built for these stories, as well as her inclusion of everything from zombies, glitter-breathing dragons, and a great romance between characters in their 50s. It’s a great chat and I’m so glad she came on the show. I have Megan’s books in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I invited Celestine Martin to join me in a discussion about COTTAGECORE. We discuss the aesthetic and focus on what cottage retreats and the lifestyle mean to both characters and stories. We also have some book recommendations that I will include in both my website and in a list in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I have E.K. Sathue on the show to chat about her new book, YOUTHJUICE. We discuss the toxicity of beauty culture, including the wealth privilege that accompanies it. We look at various inspirations for this novel, from the historical figure of Elizabeth Bathory to social media influencers. We also chat about the gruesome body horror she leans into as a writer. I have YOUTHJUICE in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I welcome back Sarah Wendell from the beloved Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog and podcast. We talk about CRONELIT, in other words, why books that center women of a certain age are having a moment. We also discuss books that address aging within a youth obsessed culture. We offer plenty of recommendations and examples, which I will have in a shopping list in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. At the time of this recording I didn’t realize an upcoming book I’ll feature on the show, THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK (by Megan Bannen) centers a widowed woman with grown children finding love with her long-time best friend in weird western zombie fantasy book. It’s glorious. Stay tuned for interview with Megan Bannen on that story. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.

Today I have debut author, Sydney Shields, and I’m releasing this episode early because she was such a delight and her book, THE HONEY WITCH, hit every note that many of us need right now. I simply couldn’t wait to share this conversation with all of you. I have THE HONEY WITCH in my Bookshop if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide at bookshop.org/shop/sheworeblack. If you want another way to help out my show, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. You can also join my Patreon community, buy merch, or make a Ko-fi donation through the links available on my on my website at sheworeblackpodcast.com. Thanks for joining me today.