E227: Dark Academia Fantasy with Lynn D. Jung

 

Today I have Lynn D. Jung on the show to chat about Dark Academia Fantasy, the perfect theme for her new book, MOTHSBLOOD. I do want to say that I was sick during recording, so I apologize if that comes through during the episode. We have a great time, though, as we chat about what Fantasy brings to the Dark Academia genre and we offer some recommended reading. Some of the books will be out next year, but I have preorders up for those, as well as the other books we suggest. All books linked below to my Bookshop if you want to support the show and independent bookstores nationwide. 

Lynn’s recommendations

• A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
• Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
• An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

Agatha’s recommendations

• From Our Blood by Shardai Smith (2027 - preorders)
• Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova
• The Godfrey Home for Demonic Children by Alexis Henderson (also An Academy for Liars)
• These Dreaming Spires: A Dark Academia Anthology (follow up to In These Hallowed Halls) - including Olivie Blake, Genevieve Cogman
• The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

E226: Collecting Book Cover Art with Skye Lacerte of Swann Auction Galleries

 

Today I have Skye Lacerte on the show. She’s the Illustration Specialist at the Swann Auction Galleries in New York, which means she is the one who curates and conducts the auctions with the original art behind our beloved book covers and interior illustrations. If you love a good clinch cover or a “paperback from hell,” or a “women running from houses” book, Skye will very likely have sold some of the paintings behind your favorite book covers! She has lots of great information if you’re interested in acquiring this art for yourself! 

You can find the Swann Galleries here.

 

Their next Illustration Art Auction is coming up, and you get the highlight information here. Artists will include some of my personal faves, like Brian Froud, Edward Gorey, and Tasha Tudor!

E225: Bigfoot, UFOs, and Ghosts with Mallory Marlowe

 

Today I have Mallory Marlowe on the show to chat about her unique take on paranormal romance. She writes about Bigfoot, UFOs, and ghosts, but in a delightful voice that’s entirely her own. We have tons of fun in this short episode chatting about her work, as well as haunted dolls and ghost tours. I can’t wait to have her back on the show!

The three bookstores Mallory recommended are:

• Beguilded Books in Seattle, Washington
• Wild Geese Bookshop in Franklin, Indiana
• Lovestruck Books in Cambridge, Massachusettes

Link to the adorable merch by Wandering Reader Designs for Mallory's books is here.

E: 224: Art in Gothic with Madison Tyler Nelson

 

Today I have Madison Tyler Nelson on the show to chat about Art in Gothic. Her new book, PORTRAIT OF A HAUNTING is an exciting debut that uses painting and bodily fluids and mothers to tell an unforgettable Gothic story. She was the perfect guest to chat about art in Gothic books, and I love that range of titles we chat about here. 

Madison’s Book Recs

• Malice House by Megan Sheperd
• Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi Demeester
• The God of Endings by Jaqueline Holland
• Paint it Black by Janet Fitch
• A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

Agatha’s Book Recs

• The Artist of Blackberry Grange by Paulette Kennedy
• The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
• A Dangerous Bargain by Erin Cotter
• All Her Beautiful Deaths by A. Rushby - Victorian Death photography
• Mansion in Miniature by Elizabeth St. Clair

E222: Horror and Romance in Film with Emma Cole

 

Today I welcome Emma Cole to the show to chat about movies that blend horror and romance, which is also the topic of her new nonfiction book, LOVE NEVER DIES: ROMANCE IN HORROR MOVIES. We talk about a range of films, from Hitchcock to the Lost Boys, and my favorite era…the 90s resurgence of luxurious Gothic in film, including Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, and Sleepy Hollow. It was a lot of fun to read this book, then watch some of these movies! A project I hope you all indulge in. 

E121: Isabel Canas and THE HOUSE OF GARDENIAS

 

Today I welcome back Isabel Canas to the show to chat about her new book, THE HOUSE OF GARDENIAS. It’s a Gothic YA novel that is as riveting and haunting as her other books. It was great to chat with her about writing for this audience while maintaining everything we’ve come to love from her as a writer. I highly recommend it for fans of her work! 

If you want to take her class on writing the Gothic, you can do so here. I took this class and it's wonderful!

If you want to see her tour info is below:

E220: Theater Gothic with Erin Craig

 

Today Erin Craig returns to the show to chat about “Theater in Gothic.” Erin’s new book, OUR STRANGE DUET, is a retelling of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Erin does make a point of noting that this is not a retelling of the novel. Rather, it’s a tie-in to the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical, so our theme is tied to both the theatrical story and the theatrical production. I hope you enjoy our book recommendations! 

Erin’s Book Recs

• The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
• The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell
• The Prestige by Christopher Priest
• Come Knocking by Mike Bockoven
• The Night Crossing by Robert Masello

Agatha’s Book Recs

• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
• The Red Sacriment by Sara Hinkley
• She Haunts Me Still by De Elizabeth
• If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
• Shadowplay by Joseph O’Conner