E201: Cats in Fiction with Nicole Glover

 

Today I welcome Nicole Glover to the show to chat about Cats in Fiction. We cover a range of genres, from Gothic to Cozy Fantasy. Nicole’s latest book, THE STARSEEKERS, is a blend of murder mystery, magic, and science - specifically space travel. Naturally, a cat is also at the heart of this story. She was a lovely guest and will also my Patreon Book Club featured author in October with her book THE CONDUCTORS. 

Nicole's website is: https://nicole-glover.com/

Nicole’s Book Recs 

• Song of the Lioness Series by Tamora Pierce
• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono
• The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
• Monstress by Marjorie Liu
• Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
• No One Noticed the Cat by Anne McCafferty
• Catwings by Ursula le Guin

Agatha’s Book Recs

• We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
• Circe by Madaline Miller
• The Village Library Demon Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner
• Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
• The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard

E200: Horror Comics with Nat Cassidy

Today I welcome back Nat Cassidy to talk about Horror Comics, a topic near and dear to my heart, but it’s also one that may surprise you. Horror Comics have as much range as the Horror genre in regular fiction books, so I hope you all enjoy our chat and are inspired to walk into your local comic books shop to explore what’s out there. I will also have the titles from our chat that are still in print, as well as other favorites, linked to my Bookshop if you want to support my show as well as independent bookstores nationwide.

Nat's new book is a short story collection called I KNOW A PLACE, linked below. 

Nat’s Recs

1. EC Comics like Tales from the Crypt by Grant Geissman

2. Uzumaki by Junji Ito

3. Locke & Key by Joe Hill

4. Tapping the Vein by Clive Barker

5. From Hell by Alan Moore

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman

Agatha’s Recs

1. Nightmares and Fairytales by Serena Valentino 

2. Lenore by Roman Dirge (link is for a collection of 3 volumes)

3. Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda

4. Fangs by Sarah Anderson

5. The Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love

6. The Crow by James O’Barr

E199: Icon of Gay Gothic Romance - Vincent Virga

Today I have the honor of chatting with the iconic Vincent Virga. His book, GAYWYCK was the first book published that featured gay characters to fall in love and have a happy ending. Until this point, gay characters were either villains or met tragic endings. I contacted him as part of my research for my own book about vintage Gothic Romances, and I’m delighted that his work is still in print. Links below to the print book in my Bookshop, if you want to support the show. Ebook is on Amazon.

E198: Cats, Magicians and Montreal with Heather Fawcett

 

Today I welcome back Heather Fawcett to chat about her new book AGNES AUBERT’S MYSTICAL CAT SHELTER. It’s a cozy fantasy that takes place in an alternate magical version of 1920s Montreal, and I love the juxtaposition of cats, messy magicians, and a woman who will do anything to save all the stray cats of Montreal. Heather and I also chat about the importance of community in Cozy Fantasy, and she tackles some of my craft questions about writing. 

In the episode, I mention The Triplets of Belleville. You can watch the movie here. The DVD appears to be out of print and I'm not sure where else it's streaming. Your public library may have it since it was an award winning film. 

The independent bookshop Heather shouts out is The Laughing Oyster in Courtenay, BC

Canada

The link to Heather's very smart and thoughtful Substack newsletter is here.

Heather also advocates for supporting the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

E197: Johnny Compton and DEAD FIRST

 

Today I welcome back a good friend and wonderfully terrifying writer, Johnny Compton to chat about his new book DEAD FIRST. It’s his first venture into genre blending his usual love of horror with mystery and noir. We get into his influences for the book as well as discuss how he gives his stories the flavor and atmosphere that immerse the reader in his stories. We also chat about his new story collection from Weird Tales called MIDNIGHT SOMEWHERE. My blurb on this book describes it as a more terrifying Twilight Zone, and I stand by that.  

The book store Johnny Compton wanted to highlight is The Book Nerd. 

He did also mention, Ghoulish Books, Nowhere Bookshop, The Twig, and Haunt Happy Books.

The ghost hunting show I mentioned is Strange Town. I mentioned an episode where they visit Yorktown Hospital, but I was mistaken. They visited Old Yoakum Hospital. You can view their YouTube channel here. 

E196: Jayne Ann Krentz on Gothic Tropes and Romantic Suspense

Today I welcome back one of my favorite people, Jayne Ann Krentz. She is an incredibly kind and generous person who is also a much beloved Romantic Suspense writer that you may also know as either Jayne Castle or Amanda Quick. She came on the show to chat with me about her favorite Gothic tropes, and she gives some fun book recommendations that use these tropes too, listed below.

- Jayne's Bookstore Recommendation is The Poisoned Pen, in Scottsdale, Arizona

Jayne’s favorite Tropes and Character Types:

• “Natural” horror — mushrooms gone bad, storms, unknown species of animals, eco-disasters, etc.
• Isolated female protagonist 
• Claustrophobic situation (the classic Big House on the edge of the cliffs)
• The growing realization that the protagonist can’t trust anyone.
• The protagonist’s fear that she might be going mad — the Gaslight trope.

Jayne’s book recommendations: 

• The Vermilion Sea by Megan Chance 
• Snake-eater by T. Kingfisher.
• The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
• Tell Me You Trust Me by Elle Owens
• A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• The Hacienda by Isabel Canas 

E195: Simone St. James and A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS

 

Today I welcome back one of my favorite Gothic writers, Simone St. James. Her new book, A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS is out this month, perfect for fans of THE SUN DOWN MOTEL. We are careful not to reveal spoilers, but we enjoy revisiting her haunting fictional town of Fell, New York, and we chat about her inspirations that range from The X-Files to Stephen King novels read way too young. Simone is also my guest this month for my Patreon Book Club, so feel free to join us for a chance to ask her your questions directly.