Mariana Enriquez on The Ghosts of Buenos Aires, Horror, History & Rebellion
Internationally acclaimed writer Mariana Enriquez, author of Our Share of Night, Things We Lost in the Fire, and The Dangers of Smoking in Bed, joins Sick Sad Lit to talk about horror that doesn’t chill - it burns. In this visceral and wide-ranging conversation, she and I explore how the oppressive heat of Buenos Aires fuels her fiction, how music shapes her creative process, and how journalism gave her the tools to interrogate the darkest corners of society. We dive into folklore, rebellion, class, and the ghosts—both real and metaphorical—that linger in her stories. With sharp reflections on urban horror, cultural memory, and the power of place, this episode is a must-listen for fans of literary horror, gothic fiction, and boundary-pushing storytelling.Follow Mariana on Instagram.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ling Ling Huang on Speculative Fiction, Identity, and the Dark Side of Beauty
In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with writer and violinist Ling Ling Huang, author of the acclaimed debut novel Natural Beauty and the recently released Immaculate Conception. Together, we explore the ways fiction - and creative expression more broadly - helps navigate identity, ambition, and the emotional aftermath of betrayal and transformation.Ling Ling shares how her background in music informs her literary voice, and how both Natural Beauty and Immaculate Conception confront the pressures of perfection and commodification, from the insidious demands of the beauty industry to the often invisible toll of technology on human connection.The conversation spans everything from the pain of friendship loss, the complexity of female jealousy, and the shifting landscape of motherhood and creativity, to how speculative fiction allows us to reimagine the limits of identity, body, and self-worth.Follow Ling Ling Huang on Instagram.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Emma Van Straaten on Writing Mixed Race Identity, Female Rage, and Obsession in ‘This Immaculate Body’
In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, I sit down with author Emma Van Straaten to explore the raw, unsettling beauty of her debut novel, This Immaculate Body. Emma reflects on her journey from aspiring writer to published author, sharing how her own personal history informed the creation of her complex protagonist, Alice. We discuss the nuances of character development, how trauma shapes narrative voice, and why writing unflinching, emotionally charged fiction is both a creative and cathartic act.This episode also explores Emma’s publishing journey, how she balances writing with parenting, and the unique pressures that come with telling stories grounded in identity and internal conflict. From the daily rituals that keep her grounded to the literary influences that shaped her perspective, Emma offers honest insights into the joys and challenges of writing in today’s literary landscape.If you're drawn to books that confront what it means to exist in a body — and all the pain, rage, and beauty that comes with that — this conversation will resonate.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram.Follow Emma on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Anna Dorn on Scent, Storytelling, and Writing Women Who Refuse to Behave
In this episode of Sick Sad Lit, author Anna Dorn joins me to discuss her novel Perfume and Pain, a sharp and provocative exploration of identity, desire, and self-destruction. Anna opens up about her writing process, and her transition from a legal career to full-time novelist.We dive into the literary value of unlikeable women in fiction, the cultural tension around cancel culture, and how queer literature allows space for complex, messy, fully human protagonists. Anna also shares her thoughts on the evolving business of writing — from the emotional toll of professional publishing to the power of author merch and literary events in building a community around books.The conversation touches on perfume as a narrative device, how creative inspiration comes from unexpected places (including music and social media), and why embracing vulnerability in storytelling is more radical than ever.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram.Follow Anna on Instagram.Takeaways:Anna Dorn transitioned from law to writing, driven by her passion for storytelling.Her background in law influences her writing style and character development.Perfume plays a significant role in her latest novel, symbolizing desire and identity.The importance of author merchandise in connecting with readers.Literary events are crucial for networking and community building among writers.Unlikable characters often reflect societal frustrations and personal struggles.Writing is a deeply personal process, often influenced by lived experiences.Creative inspiration comes from various sources, including music and social media.The evolution of writing as a profession can lead to insecurity and pressure.Exploring diverse settings and characters in fiction can enrich storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Lucy Rose on Folklore, Feminism, and Feeding the Hunger in The Lamb
Sunday Times Best-Selling Author of The Lamb, Lucy Rose steps into the Sick Sad Lit (virtual) studio for a fierce, funny, and fearless conversation about everything that fuels her fiction. From the folklore of her rural upbringing to the feminist lens that informs her monstrous female characters, Lucy unpacks how horror can be a home for complexity. The episode touches on the metaphor of cannibalism as relational consumption, the portrayal of mental illness and motherhood, and what it means to write while neurodivergent. Lucy also speaks candidly about the importance of creative freedom, Dakota Johnson’s career-changing shoutout, and the bold themes she’s tackling in her upcoming work.Follow Lucy on Instagram.Join the conversation with Sick Sad Lit on Substack and Instagram.TakeawaysLucy Rose's debut novel, The Lamb, explores complex themes of love and horror.The book uses cannibalism as a metaphor for love and relationships.Lucy discusses her neurodivergent experiences and how they influence her writing.The importance of community and connection in the book industry is highlighted.The mother-daughter relationship in The Lamb is portrayed with nuance and complexity.Lucy emphasizes the significance of mental health in the writing process.The setting of The Lamb draws from Lucy's rural upbringing and folklore.The impact of Dakota Johnson's book club on Lucy's career is profound.Lucy expresses a desire for her work to be adapted into a film with a strong creative vision.Future projects will explore themes of courage and bisexuality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sick Sad Lit is a podcast for readers and writers who love digging into the dark, messy, and provocative corners of contemporary fiction, as well as exploring the emergence of "Good for Her" as a literary genre.Through candid conversations with authors who push boundaries, we explore themes of alienation, identity, mental health, and the creative process behind bold, unforgettable storytelling.It’s part literary deep dive, part late-night chat—intelligent, unfiltered, and a little unhinged. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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