GREETINGS, BOOKWORMS! I’m Aisha Kandisha, Head Librarian at Kandisha Press. Join me in the dusty stacks of the library I will never leave again as I chat with some of my favorite Women in Horror. Today we feature author Ruthann Jagge! Ruthann’s story “Her Black Velvet Bones” is featured in PRETEND YOU DON’T SEE HER: THE INVISIBLE WOMAN (Kandisha Press 2025 Women of Horror Anthology.)
RUTHANN JAGGE is from Upstate NY, where her favorite month, October, is otherworldly. Folklore, gothic elements, dark fantasy, and mythology inspire her memorable characters and evocative settings. Her work as an author includes a novella, a co-authored novel, reviews, articles, and many short stories featured in successful anthologies.
She’s been a guest on compelling interviews and professional panels where she enjoys sharing the creative storytelling process. New work releasing in 2025 includes a highly-anticipated sequel, a Southern Gothic horrormantasy, and several invitational projects.
Extensive travel and backyard superstitions influence her love of writing. Other passions include cooking, sewing, and dancing with her demons. She currently lives on a rural cattle ranch in Texas with her husband and his animals. A large, blended family keeps her sane most of the time. Member HWA/BFS.
Liza Malvino is such a stunning character, beautiful, elegant, seems to have loved the finer things in life, and is also rather deliciously diabolical. How did you come up with the idea for her?
Some years back, I did volunteer work in a museum giftshop, and an exquisite woman of a certain age came in to buy a book of local history. She wore couture and carried an expensive bag, yes, that one. We chatted for quite a while, and she went to pay for her item, her sleeve scrunched up slightly, exposing the skin of her forearm. It was heavily tattooed, and very unexpected! This detail defied her mannerisms, and I learned after that she was married to an extremely wealthy man, whispered to have connections in the criminal world. I wanted to know her story, of course, because like so many other women, her past was a mystery, yet she was able to reinvent herself and navigate a cultured life on her terms. I believe she held secrets and had experiences far beyond a typical life. I created Liza in homage to her.
Liza also seems to be a champion for women, especially those who have been mistreated or disparaged in some way, yet the ending is tragic for her. Without giving away the ending, how does the story’s finish relate to the plight of women in today’s society? And more importantly, how do we as women begin to combat this injustice? (Telling stories like yours is a wonderful start.)
I love men, I’m comfortable around them and enjoy their energy, most of the time. Having said this, too often women are ignored, questioned, under-valued, abused, and above all, taken advantage of as we’re perceived to be “the weaker sex.” We can argue this until the cows come home, and it’s not true, but more than once, I’ve gone to bat for another woman in a precarious position because of the actions of a man. Especially one in a position of authority. We make ourselves small, comply, and work in fear of our skills, talents, desires, and powers being diminished or snuffed out altogether. We sacrifice because it’s expected or required of us. We carry heavy burdens much of the time, not daring to be selfish. I think the best way to combat is to use our voices, as creatives and collectively. To stop nodding in agreement and become feral in the best sense of the word! To take up space and become not only more visible, but obvious!
What does your creative process look like when you’re writing? Do you have any special rituals or routines?
I wish I could say that I light scented candles and sip herbal tea, while listening to inspiring music, but no. I tend to scrawl ideas and characters that pop into my head on legal pads all over my house, and on my beloved Post It notes whenever and wherever! My process is colorful and interactive, as I often print out what I’m writing, then arrange my little sticky notes like a patchwork quilt, or crime scene as it were, moving things around until the parts come together more or less. I wish I had the skills for an organized writing app, but I’m not tech-trained, and this works out in the end. My drink of choice is ice water, and I will admit to snack breaks because writing requires food for thought in a literal sense!
What else are you working on? Any projects you’re especially excited about?
I’m giddy about my upcoming novel “Coeur Noir-Black Heart.” It’s been a bit of an unsettling year so far for me health wise, but I’m working my way back. It’s taking longer than I originally planned, but I believe it will be worth it. I’m working with some fantastic people and enjoy supporting artists when I can. The good ones are always busy, but I have a cool release planned when all is to go. I’m not an author who can push out fresh work quickly, I enjoy doing research, and pride myself on originality, often featuring strong and complicated females, like the best ones I know personally!
I cannot wait to introduce my girl “Estelle Luther!” She’s the main character in this novel, and I’ve never met or read about anyone quite like her. She’s a “whole other story” as they say, and as Southern/Prairie Gothic as it gets, with more than a little supernatural twist in the mix. I’ve always wanted to write “something vampiric” as Anne Rice is my favorite female author, but it took some long soaks in the bathtub to come up with a new angle on an ancient trope. Hopefully, I’ll offer my satisfying and unique version soon!
KANDISHA PRESS 
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