Ghosts, bitter rivalries, séances, and famous authors, friends becoming enemies. You would think that Emily and Pearl's tale must be a rare one, right? Well, not exactly. It turns out Patience Worth and Mark Twain were only two of many wraith-like writers seeking publication from beyond the grave. Take the 1919 book Shakespeare's Revelations, a 480-page tome allegedly dictated to medium Sarah Taylor Shatford by none other than the bard himself. I know, I know, there's a Stratford-Shatford pun in there somewhere, but let's let sleeping dogs lie. Then there was Hester Travers Smith, whose Ouija Channeled Bonmatts by Oscar Wilde were published in 1926. Two years later, a woman named Geraldine Cummins published a text called Scripts of Cleophis, supposedly on behalf of a spiritual messenger from New Testament times. In the words of one literary reviewer, the Ouija board has evidently solved the problem of what to do with our dead. Call them up and put them to work writing books. On the surface it seems, well, a little kooky. But if you think about it in its historical context, the phenomenon actually makes a lot of sense. This was a time when women couldn't vote. They couldn't make many of their own financial decisions. Often, couldn't have careers. The literary industry itself was run by and dominated by male gatekeepers. Just imagine how those gatekeepers would have responded to Pearl Curran without patience as a shield. Just a silly housewife with dreams of being a writer. But with patience, now she was an oracle whose writings tapped into the great beyond. In other words, the Ouija Board provided disempowered people, primarily women, with power and control over their lives. With nothing but a piece of wood and a planchette, they could break out of society's chains. But there's one final illuminating detail about Pearl Kern that I want to share. In 1919, Pearl published a story in the Saturday Evening Post, but this wasn't one of Patience's. No, this was a rare story that Pearl claimed as her own. It was titled Rosa Alvaro Entrante. The story follows a Chicago shopgirl named Mami Ladd, who is existentially bored with her job and her life. Until that is, she becomes overtaken by a spirit. This spirit, Rosa Alvaro, is the ghost of a Spanish dancer who was murdered in Madrid. and she is everything that Mamie isn't. Rosa is vibrant and confident, passionate and colorful. As Rosa, Mamie goes dancing and even takes a lover. Her boredom falls away, and she truly begins to live life. At the end of the story, Mamie makes a shocking admission. It turns out there had been no spirit. She had made the whole thing up. But there was something else in her, the character insisted. It was my fight for life. Every rusty hope in me broke loose. This, it seems, was the closest thing to a hoax confession that Pearl Curran would ever give us. Patience Worth's final published novel, Telca, an idol of medieval England, in 1928. Pearl passed away nine years later, and as far as I know, neither she nor Patience has been heard from ever since. Iconic and embedded in pop culture, the Ouija board is one of those objects that just about everyone has heard of. So I hope you enjoyed today's exploration of its origins and uses, especially when it comes to literal ghost writing. But the Ouija board isn't the only way that deceased authors have allegedly continued their work. Sometimes it's regular old reincarnation. I have one last story for you in which a beloved poet comes back for round two. Stick around through this brief sponsor break to hear all about it. This episode of Lore was sponsored by Stamps.com. Work-life balance doesn't feel realistic when you're working through lunches or staying late to catch up. Free up the time consumed by tedious mailing and shipping tasks with Stamps.com. Stamps.com streamlines your postage needs, making your business more efficient, and putting more life into your work-life balance. With Stamps.com, you can take care of mailing and shipping wherever you are, even on the go with the Stamps.com mobile app. All you need is a computer and a printer. They even send you a free scale. From small businesses to multi-location organizations, Stamps.com handles all your mailing and shipping needs while reducing costs and increasing profits. Access the USPS and UPS mailing services that you need to run your business right from your computer or phone anytime, day or night. No lines, no traffic, no waiting. Plus, get rates you can't find anywhere else like up to 89% off USPS and UPS, and order mailing supplies from the supply store when you run low. Put more life into your work-life balance with Stamps.com. Sign up with the promo code LOR for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial plus free postage and a free digital scale. No long-term commitments or contracts. Just go to Stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page, and enter the code LOR. Stamps.com. Never go to the post office again. This episode was also sponsored by Quince. It's been a busy season of events and travel, and my wardrobe has taken a beating. A total overhaul is not in my budget, but I'm replacing some of those worn-out pieces with affordable, high-quality essentials from Quince. Quince has all the seasonal must haves like cashmere sweaters from $50, 100% European linen shirts, and versatile activewear. And the best part? All Quince items are priced 50-80 % less than similar brands. By directly partnering with top factories, Quince cuts out the cost of the middleman and passes the savings on to us. Me, I grabbed a few of their 100% Merino Wool All Season Short Sleeve T-Shirts because I like to keep things simple and folks, these shirts are amazing. The fabric, the weave, the weight, all of it says quality. Oh and the only factories that Quince works with are ones that use safe, ethical, and responsible manufacturing processes and premium fabrics and finishes. And I love that. Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to quince.com/lore for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U dot com slash lore to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com/lore. And finally, this episode was made possible by BetterHelp.