About the Book

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.

About the Speakers

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. isabella-von-ghoul.com. 

Thanks to our partner Elliott Bay Book Company. 

Thanks to our sponsors The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.

Thanks to media sponsor The Seattle Times.

Registration is required. Register here.  

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served for registered patrons.  

Books are available for purchase from Elliott Bay Book Company; a signing will follow the event. 

Monthly movie screening with a focus on film analysis, anti-fascism, community buidling, and collective dreaming. 

Plot:

Vincent, an "In-Valid", (Ethan Hawke) assumes the identity of a member of the genetic elite to pursue his goal of traveling into space with the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. However, a week before his mission, a murder marks Vincent as a suspect.

Monthly movie screening with a focus on film analysis, anti-fascism, community buidling, and collective dreaming. 

A distant planet. A different time. One fate. Centuries ago, the Dark Crystal cracked and brought forth two races. One is the villainous lizard like birds called the Skeksis, who have taken control of everything. The other are a peaceful race of wizards called the Mystics. A young Gelfling named Jen is sent by his dying master to find a Crystal Shard, which is being held by the wise witch Augra. Now, Jen must journey far and wide to figuring out the purpose of the Shard and work quickly to saving his world from the Skeksis' wrath.

Monthly movie screening with a focus on film analysis, anti-fascism, community buidling, and collective dreaming. 

“In Berlin in 1931, American cabaret singer Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) meets British academic Brian Roberts (Michael York), who is finishing his university studies. Despite Brian's confusion over his sexuality, the pair become lovers, but the arrival of the wealthy and decadent playboy Maximilian von Heune (Helmut Griem) complicates matters for them both. This love triangle plays out against the rise of the Nazi party and the collapse of the Weimar Republic.”

Student/Senior Tickets - Discounted Student and Senior tickets (65+) are available for eligible attendees. Valid proof of status is required at the time of purchase or entry (e.g., government issued ID, current student ID). Tickets may be subject to verification, and failure to provide proof may result in additional charges or denied entry.

Community Tickets - We offer a limited amount of discounted tickets for individuals from marginalized communities, including (but not limited to) those who are low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, or otherwise undeserved. These tickets are intended to ensure equitable access to our event. We kindly ask that these tickets go to those who truly need them.

Join instructor Isabella Von Ghoul as we deep dive into Rintaro's Metropolis.

Streaming Tickets grant access to the film talk virtually, live-streamed via Zoom from 7-9:00pm PT. Access to the recording is not provided after the live session.