Sadie Hartmann w/ Isabella Von Ghoul at Seattle Public Library

Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann visits the Seattle Public Library for a conversation with Isabella Von Ghoul about Hartmann’s new book Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women. Featuring 200 books, from classic authors such as Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Daphne du Maurier to the modern wave of indie names and all the underrated voices waiting to be discovered, there’s enough deadly damsels in here to leave you feeling distressed long after you’ve run out of shelf space.

Bram Stoker Awards® winning author Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann has curated the ultimate collection of recommendations from the leading ladies of horror! From classic authors such as Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Daphne du Maurier to the modern wave of indie names and all the underrated voices waiting to be discovered, there’s enough deadly damsels in here to leave you feeling distressed long after you’ve run out of shelf space.

Each recommendation includes a spoiler-free synopsis and has been carefully catalogued and organized into thematic reading lists making it easier than ever to sate your darkest desires. Are you in your Gothic Era? Love watching a marriage gruesomely fall apart? Just finished Mexican Gothic and need more Sporror in your life? Whatever you’re vibing with, there’s a list for that.

Featuring a foreword by prolific horror author Ania Ahlborn and five essays from Alma Katsu, Alexis Henderson, Christina Henry, Rae Wilde, and Laura Purcell, this fully illustrated reader’s guide is a must-have for any horror fanatic looking to get out of a reading slump or diversify their TBR pile.

Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror is the co-owner of the monthly horror fiction subscription company, Night Worms and the Bram Stoker Awards® winning author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered from Page Street Publishing. Her second book, Feral & Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction will be released August 2025. She lives in the PNW with her husband of 20+ years where they stare at Mt Rainier, eat street tacos, and hang out with their 3 kids.

Isabella Von Ghoul (she/her) is the nom de plumes of Isabella L. Price, a writer, artist, performer, creative, activist, curator, and designer. She has been working as a professional costume designer in film and theater for 10 years, working on CUT’s “100 Years of Beauty” series. She produced a horror film burlesque live show called “Nocturnal Emissions,” and directed a virtual, national run of Mae West’s play "SEX" in 2020. Previously, she worked with Langston Seattle, as the Film Programs Manager, for the Seattle Black Film Festival. She has recently started Cinemancy, an online platform sharing the magic of movies with classes, workshops, downloads, and screenings. You can find more information on her website: isabella-von-ghoul.com

Pre-order a copy of Feral & Hysterical here.

Host or Publisher Elliott Bay Book Company