Hey listener! I'm currently on maternity leave, but to get us in the Halloween spirit, I'm re-releasing my first ever Halloween special about the 19th-century mediums who used their connection to the dead to find fame and fortune. But this isn’t just an old episode repeating: I’ve remastered and re-recorded it to give it a 2024 glow up. The Exploress will be taking a break in November and December, but I’ll still be dropping new bonus episodes over on my Patreon during that time. So if you like the show and would like more of it, become a patron: they get 1 to 2 exclusive bonus episodes a month, and much more. 

Down, down, the Witches' Road... I'm currently off on maternity leave, but to get you in the mood for the spooky season I'm re-releasing what must be my most popular Halloween special to date. Between 1450 and 1750, some 100,000 Europeans were tried for witchcraft, and some of the most intense periods of witchy panic took place in Scotland and England. Most, but not all, of these so-called witches were women. During this special Halloween episode, we’ll be tracing the history of witchcraft, and talking about why King James VI was so fanatical about killing witches. We’ll learn about the Malleus Maleficarum (or the veritable Guide to Witch Hunting), and discover how to “spot” a witch. We’ll learn what types of women were in danger of being accused, why people thought women were especially susceptible to the Devil’s wily charms, and how the Church played a massive role in witch hunting. We’ll also discuss what happened when a supposed witch was caught – what torture techniques were used to extract confessions, what witch trials looked like, and what punishments awaited a guilty verdict. And we’ll try to answer the most important question of all… why were so many accused witches women, and why were these women viewed as such a threat to society that they had to be hunted down and killed? Missing The Exploress? Patrons of the show get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND exclusive bonus episodes every month. I'll be posting new ones all through my maternity leave, so now's the time to hop on board! You can even try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial, so why not? Go to my website to find out more, or simply go to my Patreon page. PS: My second novel, FYREBIRDS, is out now! If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates.

Discover the thrilling history of the 40 Elephants, London's notorious all-female crime ring. Learn about their clever shoplifting strategies and how they turned societal expectations to their advantage. Under the leadership of Alice Diamond, these daring women pulled off high-stakes heists, showcasing their bravery and cunning. Their bold escapades not only challenged the norms of their time but also left a powerful mark on the narrative of female empowerment and rebellion in the face of adversity.

Today we’ll learn how Queen Elizabeth I strategically defeated the Invincible Spanish Armada by allowing famous pirates like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Thomas Cavendish to take over the Royal Navy and fight on her behalf as “privateers.” We’ll also learn what life was like on a pirate ship in the Elizabethan age, why women were historically not allowed to be pirates, and how some women became pirates anyway. We’ll meet Anne Bonny and Mary Read, the cross dressing swashbucklers of the Bahamas, and we’ll meet Grace O’Malley, the Irish Pirate Queen who defended her land against Queen Elizabeth’s navy. My second novel, FYREBIRDS, just came out, and it would mean a huge amount if you’d pick up a copy. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates. This episodes is coming to you with the support of my fabulous patrons. Have you ever thought about becoming one? Patrons get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND up to two exclusive bonus episodes a month, like this one. You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more.

...see you on the other side, my friends. Have you ever thought about becoming a patron? They get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND up to two exclusive bonus episodes a month. I'll be posting episodes there throughout my maternity leave, so if you want more Exploress in your life, head on over! You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more. My second novel, FYREBIRDS, just came out, and it would mean a huge amount if you’d pick up a copy. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates.

I'm thrilled to bring you this extra-long audio sample of the FYREBIRDS audiobook: the Prologue and Chapter 1, narrated by the amazing Saskia Maarleveld. If you like what you hear, the unabridged audiobook is out now wherever audiobooks are sold. You can request it to stream digitally from your local library; if they don't have it in their collection, you can ask them to buy a copy, usually via their website.

Guess what? My second novel, FYREBIRDS, hits shelves TODAY. How exciting! I’m celebrating by inviting one of my favorite authors to join us. Ryan Graudin is the award-winning novel of many books for young adults and children; her debut adult fantasy, THE ENCHANTED LIES OF CELESTE ARTOIS, comes out today. This novel, set in Belle Epoque Paris just before the First World War, is absolutely FULL of my favorite things: history, strong women, and magic. Join us as we talk about her enchanting novel, how she used history as a springboard for writing it, and what she discovered along the way.  Remember, if you pick up a copy of FYREBIRDS this week (by September 4, 2024), I’ll send you some very special prizes, including a signed bookplate and some NIGHTBIRDS-inspired art. You can claim them right here, or go to my author website to find out more. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates. Thanks for listening! You can now buy THE ENCHANTED LIES OF CELESTE ARTOIS wherever good books are sold. Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to check out my other podcast, PUB DATES, where Amie Kaufman and I take readers behind the scenes on the publication process and our novels. And don’t forget, if you want more Exploress in your life, I'm publishing two fresh bonus episodes a month over on my Patreon. You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more.

It’s FYREBIRDS month on The Exploress! To celebrate the release of my second novel, and the conclusion of the NIGHTBIRDS series, I’m sharing an episode of my other podcast, Pub Dates, where I’ve been taking listeners behind the scenes on this series’ creation. In this episode, I’m going to answer reader’s burning questions about NIGHTBIRDS. Warning: there will be spoilers in here, so save this one for later if you haven’t read the book yet. My second novel, FYREBIRDS, is hitting shelves on August 27th, and it would mean a huge amount if you’d pick up a copy. If you do, I’ll send you some very special prizes, including a signed bookplate and some NIGHTBIRDS-inspired art. You can claim them right here, or go to my author website to find out more. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates. Did you like this episode? Hop on over to PUB DATES, where bestselling author Amie Kaufman and I have been taking readers behind the scenes on the publication of our novels. If you like those old-school DVD extras and "making of" videos, this one's for you. This show wouldn’t be possible without the support of all my patrons. Have you ever thought about becoming one? Patrons get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND up to two exclusive bonus episodes a month. You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more.  

Dive into the vibrant underground world of the 1920s! Discover how women became symbols of rebellion during Prohibition, transforming speakeasies into creative havens of freedom. Learn about influential figures like Texas Guinan, who challenged societal norms and inspired a new drinking culture. Explore the fascinating intersection of magic and alcohol, revealing how these elements shaped a unique narrative in the author's novel. Plus, uncover the tales of female bootleggers and their daring quests for independence!

Therese Oneill, an author celebrated for her engaging explorations of Victorian women's lives, dives into the rich tapestry of overlooked female figures. She shares humorous yet poignant anecdotes about the absurdities faced by women in the 19th century, including struggles for reproductive rights. Therese highlights the complexities of women's education and their significant yet often forgotten contributions to history. With a refreshing mix of humor and empathy, she emphasizes the need to celebrate these multifaceted legacies.