On this very special Unlikeable Female Characters, Kristen, Layne, and Wendy say goodbye (for now) with a look back at their favorite episodes and what they’ve learned in four years of being professional bitches on the internet. Favorite episodes in case you missed them: Episode 11: Mediocre White Men Episode 24: Anniversary Sexpisode Bonus Episode: Jonathan Mallory Davis Episode 56: I Hate Men Episode 65: Megan Abbott Episode 69: Rachel Harrison Episode 73: Sara Gran Episode 79:...

Wendy welcomes Wanda M. Morris to discuss her new historical thriller Anywhere You Run, what it takes to make the past come alive on the page, and finding joy and hope in dark books (and darker times). Anywhere You Run is available now wherever books are sold! Also mentioned in the episode: Wanda’s debut novel All Her Little Secrets The official Spotify playlist for Anywhere You Run  Find out more about Wanda on her website, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices....

Kristen is joined by author Kelly J. Ford to discuss her new Southern noir novel Real Bad Things, the maddening minefield of apologizing as a woman, and why we’re in a golden age for writing weird queer shit. Real Bad Things is available now wherever books are sold! Also mentioned in the episode: Kelly’s debut novel Cottonmouths Crime fiction author Cheryl A. Head (who Kristen interviewed back in 2020) Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages by Dan Jones Siren Queen by...

Layne welcomes Courtney Summers to the show for a chat about her harrowing new novel I'm the Girl, the significance of writing about girls who are super gay for each other, and how to hype yourself (and your work) without apology. You can buy I’m the Girl now, as well as Courtney’s previous books The Project, Sadie, All the Rage, This is Not a Test, Fall for Anything, Some Girls Are, and Cracked Up to Be. Find out more about Courtney on her website, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn more about...

Layne talks with Ashley Winstead about her absolutely badass new novel The Last Housewife, the problem of female pleasure under the patriarchy, and how she stays sane by toggling between thrillers and romantic comedies. The Last Housewife is available now! Also mentioned in the episode: Ashley’s other books In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and Fool Me Once The Cut’s exposé on the Sarah Lawrence sex cult Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood Justine by the Marquis de Sade and the movie...

Layne’s celebrating spooky season early with feminist horror author Gwendolyn Kiste! Tune in for their chat about Gwendolyn’s feminist as hell Dracula meets Jane Eyre mashup Reluctant Immortals, why women are so good at controlling our murderous urges, and what makes horror the ideal genre for rule-breaking, rage-fueled fiction. Reluctant Immortals is out now, as are Gwendolyn’s previous books Boneset & Feathers, The Rust Maidens, Pretty Marys All in a Row, and And Her Smile Will Untether...

Layne interviews Sarah Zachrich Jeng about her speculative feminist thriller The Other Me, why selfishness is necessary to make art, and the men we should all watch out for. Sarah’s debut The Other Me is available now in both paperback and hardcover. Also mentioned in this episode: Black Mirror Russian Doll “Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Find out more about Sarah on her website, Instagram, or Twitter. Learn more about your ad...

Layne welcomes Amina Akhtar (and her celebrity pup Bean!) back to the show to talk about her new novel Kismet, the Christopher Columbusing of wellness culture, and why we’re all getting weirder. Kismet is out now! Also mentioned in the episode: Amina’s first book #FashionVictim Our previous interview with Amina Beanie the Coyote Vest Pup’s official Insta Bean on The Late Late Show with James Corden (eff you James Corden, Beanie looks fabulous) Find out more about Amina on her...

Layne celebrates Hot Goth Summer with Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda (remember that Hot Priest book from our summer reads episode? This is it, bitches!). Plus: how the hell Isabel completed this book while also getting her PhD, why we all love a forbidden romance, and which classic Gothic heroine drove her so batshit crazy she had to rage-write about it. Isabel’s debut The Hacienda is out now wherever books are sold! Also mentioned in the episode: Episode 86: Queen Shit with Hannah...

Layne chats with author Margarita Montimore about her new novel Acts of Violet, writing stories based on your personal obsessions rather than what’s popular, and success comes to those who stay stubborn as hell. Pick up your copy of Acts of Violet from Bookshop.org or your favorite local indie bookstore. Also mentioned in this episode: Margarita’s first two books Oona Out of Order and Asleep From Day Macmillan Audio’s EPIC *Acts of Violet* audiobook The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by...

Layne talks to legendary thriller author Tess Gerritsen about the unlikeable female character she just couldn’t kill off, the secret to keeping a long-running series feeling fresh, and why older women make the best spies (and serial killers). Listen to Me, the 13th book in her popular Rizzoli & Isles series is out now (and click here for a complete list of the books in order, if you want to start from the beginning). Also mentioned in this episode: Blood Water Paint by Joy...

Kristen and Layne welcome multi-talented multi-genre author Sandra SG Wong for a chat about her new suspense novel IN THE DARK WE FORGET, the challenges of crafting a main character who has no idea who she is, and what it’s really like to road trip with a thriller writer. Mentioned in this episode: In the Dark We Forget by Sandra SG Wong The Lola Starke series and Crescent City short stories by SG Wong I've Pet That Dog Twitter account Find out more about Sandra on her website,...

Kristen and Layne recorded this feminist rant about abortion rights and the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade back in May, but unfortunately it’s even more relevant now. You are cordially invited to scream with us (and then donate to your favorite abortion rights group, see below for a couple of ours). Mentioned in this episode: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Midwest Access Coalition Women Have Options Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen and Layne chat with author Juno Dawson about her new novel HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL COVEN, how to create a truly inclusive magical world, and the enduring power of the Spice Girls. Mentioned in this episode: Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson Clean by Juno Dawson Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman The Circle on Netflix And of course, the Spice Girls Find out more about Juno on her website,...

Layne welcomes Hannah Whitten for a chat about her new sisterhood-centric fantasy novel FOR THE THRONE, the power of being your own biggest fan, and how Adam Driver brings people together. Shop Hannah’s books in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop (or here’s the B&N link if you want to get your hands on that sweet sweet special edition). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Covens, creepy houses, weddings gone wrong, gay drama, disappearing acts, and plenty of men who deserve what’s coming to them—Kristen and Layne share their epic list of summer reads that’ll last you all the way until spooky season. Shop the full list in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen and Layne share a good scream about the disturbing public spectacle of the Depp v Heard case, how Amber Heard’s unlikeability has been used against her, and the b******t myth of mutual abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Badass author (and actual ninja) Tori Eldridge returns to the show to discuss her new globe-trotting, century-spanning dark fantasy novel DANCE AMONG THE FLAMES, writing fiction that doesn’t give a damn about genre, and why power-hungry female characters can be so empowering. DANCE AMONG THE FLAMES is out now, so pick up your copy (or any of Tori’s previous books) in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This very special episode is an Unlikeable Female Characters first: a sneak peak at soon-to-be-premiered musical! Layne welcomes playwright and composer Hannah Gregory for a chat about her original folk musical based on WUTHERING HEIGHTS, classic unlikeable female character Cathy Earnshaw, and the perils of white feminism past and present. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, you can buy tickets to WUTHERING: A MUSICAL ON THE MOORS here; the rest of us will have to content ourselves with the...

Our own Wendy Heard returns to the show for a chat about her latest YA thriller DEAD END GIRLS, how to fake your own death for fun and profit, and what’s on her personal gay agenda. Grab your copy of DEAD END GIRLS (or any of Wendy’s other books) in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen and Layne are joined by authors Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson to chat about their new co-written YA mystery THE AGATHAS, why you should never underestimate a teenage girl, and the enduring cultural power of OG Plot Twist Queen Agatha Christie. Grab your copy of THE AGATHAs, or any of Kathleen and Liz’s solo books, in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Layne hosts a rad roundtable with her YOUNG RICH WIDOWS co-authors Kimberly Belle, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie. Find out how this literary supergroup teamed up to write a totally 80s thriller about an ex-model, a trophy wife, a stripper, and a brassy broad banding together after their spouses are killed in a suspicious plane crash. Plus: favorite unlikeable female characters of the Decade of Excess. Listen to YOUNG RICH WIDOWS, available now only on Audible! (And visit the Unlikeable...

Kristen and Layne are joined by one of their all-time fave authors, Tara Isabella Burton, to discuss her new queer dark academia novel THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE, writing feverishly-intense female friendships, and what it means to claim the label “unlikeable” out loud. Buy THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE or any of the other books mentioned in the episode in the official Unlikeable Female Characters Bookshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Oscar season, and Kristen and Layne are full of loathing. Join them for a bitch sesh about the nominated movies they hated, loved, or loved to hate this year, and all the female characters who deserved so much better. Plus: Kristen shares a dramatic recitation of a very special missive from a reader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices