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Catherine Cavendish Gothic Horror Podcast TTT Season 5

Season 5 Episode 1: Catherine Cavendish on Writing Gothic Horror

“1941. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet works in Churchill’s subterranean top secret Cabinet War Rooms, where key decisions that will dictate Britain’s conduct of the war are made. Above, the people of London go about their daily business as best they can, unaware of the life that teems beneath their feet. Night after night the bombs rain down, yet Violet has far more to fear than air raids. A mysterious man, a room only she can see, memories she can no longer trust, and a best friend who denies their shared past… Something or someone – is targeting her.” Catherine Cavendish, Dark Observation

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in. 

I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Join me as I travel virtually to the sea in Southport, England, to meet up with writer, Catherine Cavendish, who has given us paranormal, ghostly, and Gothic horror novels and novellas. Her novels include Dark Observation, In Darkness, Shadows Breathe, The Garden of Bewitchment. The Haunting of Henderson Close, The Devil’s Serenade, The Pendle Curse, and Saving Grace Devine.  

Time to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.

As many of you know, Edinburgh feels like my second home.  I just purchased Cat Cavendish’s “The Haunting of Henderson Close.”  This is the blurb:

In the depths of Edinburgh, an evil presence is released. Hannah and her colleagues are tour guides who lead their visitors along the spooky, derelict Henderson Close, thrilling them with tales of spectres and murder. For Hannah it is her dream job, but not for long. Who is the mysterious figure that disappears around a corner? What is happening in the old print shop? And who is the little girl with no face?

This is going to be an amazing read.  I will keep the lights on.

Thank you for joining Cat and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you, Cat, for sharing your insights on writing, embracing the unknown and being open to possibilities. 

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Cat on her website, Catherine Cavendish, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads. You are only an internet click away from being swept away on a haunting adventure. 

Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your journey leads you.

Catherine Cavendish on Writing Gothic Horror – Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

26 replies on “Season 5 Episode 1: Catherine Cavendish on Writing Gothic Horror”

Wasn’t that an exciting moment, Liz! I have never been interested in gothic horror, but Cat has dramatically shifted my thinking on this. I was especially interested in learning that very few women write horror. So when we think of female horror writers, the first name that comes up is Mary Shelley. Surely there must be more!! Thank you for listening in and supporting these life-affirming conversations.

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Thank you for listening in, Debby. Cat has changed my mind about reading gothic horror. I never thought that I would travel down this road, but once I read “Dark Observation” I decided that I had missed out on something special. I continue to learn. Isn’t it interesting that one conversation can change a perspective. That is the best part of connecting with others. Looking forward to our ongoing discussion. I LOVE your podcast!

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Such an engaging conversation about Gothic horror fiction! Fascinating to hear how Catherine ended up writing in that genre, after trying other genres. And I agree with others that Catherine has a fabulous, dramatic voice; definitely looking forward to the podcast during which she reads from her work.

In addition, I’m always happy to hear the ultra-talented Charlotte Bronte and Emily Bronte mentioned. 🙂 I’m also a fan of Anne Bronte (whose novels contain little in the way of Gothic horror).

Thank you, Rebecca, for starting off 2023 with another terrific podcast!

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I am delighted that you enjoyed this conversation, Dave. Cat is an amazing writer. A couple of years ago, I listened to “The Sandman” by Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs. The narrative and performance were brilliant, but it confirmed that horror was not for me. Or so I thought. Then you introduced me to H.P Lovecraft, which provided an alternative form of horror which resonated. Shey introduced me to Cat in one of her posts which set me on another exploration. I am now convinced that, given that the writing of Charlotte and Emily Bronte, even Agatha Christie, is considered gothic horror, I have always been a fan of this genre. Who knew?!! I continue to learn! I am grateful that Cat will be coming back to do a reading!! Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year to you, too, Rebecca! I consider “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights” to have Gothic horror elements while at the same time being kind of “general fiction.” Hearing Agatha Christie is a bit Gothic horror-ish did surprise me. 🙂 H.P. Lovecraft a Gothic horror author? Definitely!

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“How to give boundaries to and define the parameters of genres?” — great question, Rebecca! Not easy to answer. So many novels are partly one genre, partly another genre, maybe partly a third or fourth genre. A good thing! 🙂

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Fabulous interview, Rebecca and Cat!
Cat is a natural interviewee.
Rebecca, thank you for asking her back for a reading!
I know of Cat from Shehanne Moore’s blog. I have “Dark Observation” in my Kobo cart.
I’m going to pull a Benjamin Franklin quote here: “Haste makes Waste.”
You see, I have 3 books on the promise pile… all belong to WP blogger/writers.
2 in the library system, are waiting for me to read them.
I have been quite delighted by the writers I’ve come to know on WP.

So, books go on sale on Kobo, time to time.
I figure… I’ll buy the book when it’s time to read it. However, in the meantime, it just might go on sale.
Cheers to both of you for this great podcast!

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Thank you so much for listening in to Cat’s insights on writing gothic horror, Resa. I am now reading The Pendle Curse that goes back 400 years. Her writing takes readers into the story and leaves them satisfied and looking for her next book. Happy New Year!! Another year of great reading and conversations!!! Hugs.

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This was a delightful podcast, Rebecca. I’m not a current fan of horror, but I’ve read it in the past. It was interesting to hear Catherine describe how she sets the mode and achieves the goal of bringing fear to the surface. I also agree with her thoughts about women writing horror. I think women have unique capabilities they can draw on in many endeavors. As others have mentioned, I’d love to hear her reading some of her work.

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Thank you all for your lovely comments. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Rebecca – she is a super host. I am always happy to share my love of horror – especially of the Gothic and haunted house kind – and am looking forward to returning here before we all get too much older! Meanwhile, Happy New Year everyone. Hope 2023 is kind to you all.

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Thank you, Cat, for an amazing conversation about gothic horror. You have changed my mind with your insights, clarity and humour. I am now embracing gothic horror – especially the haunted house kind! Looking forward to your return when you read from “The Haunting of Henderson Close”. “The legends of Henderson Close are becoming all too read…..”. Can hardly wait….

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Thank you, Darlene for joining the conversation. You have made an excellent point, one that came through in Cat’s writing. I was captivated by the narrative from the first page because I felt that I was listening to Cat speak the words. There was a good deal of “scary” but I never felt overwhelmed by the evolving scenes.

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This was such an interesting podcast. I actually didn’t know the definition of gothic horror and was pleased to receive such a comprehensive explanation from Cat. Being aligned with the Brontë sisters ideas and frowning up on the same moorland is fabulous. I have visited Howath and the Brontë Museum.

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