11/07/2026 – Feminist Horror with Lauren Lee Smith

Join us and debut author Lauren Lee Smith for an evening of Feminist Horror! Lauren will be at Black Cat Fables to discuss her horror novel The Night Pool, and its connections to feminist history. Lauren will be in conversation with Linda Hamilton, local author of The Fourth Wife, a historical gothic thriller. The purchase of a book from one of these very talented authors is required to attend*. Get more information about both books and authors below!

The Night Pool – a gripping tale of sisterhood, vengeance, and survival, The Night Pool explores the horrors of greed and lust, and the hidden strength of the most vulnerable among us—perfect for fans of Alma Katsu’s The Hunger and Victor LaValle’s Lone Women. Read more about it here.

The Fourth Wife is The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas meets “Sister Wives” in a deliciously chilling, darkly romantic, historical gothic horror with a feminist slant, as a young Mormon woman is haunted by a malevolent presence in the decrepit Salt Lake City mansion she shares with her new husband and his other wives. Read more about it here.

When: Saturday, November 7, at 6:00pm
Where: Black Cat Fables (415 S. Myrtle Avenue, Suite B, Monrovia, CA 91016)

About author Lauren Lee Smith:

Lauren Lee Smith was born and raised in rural Northern California Gold Country on Nisenan land, surrounded by remnants of forgotten history like pioneer cemeteries, abandoned gold mines, indigenous grinding rocks, and, of course, the powerful river and its many tributaries. As a mother, mental health advocate, and history lover, her work often explores maternal mental health, trauma, male brutality, and the historical intersections of diverse cultures through the lens of feminist horror. She now lives by the sea in Southern California with her family and a herd of dogs and cats. She enjoys trying to grow old-fashioned roses in the balmy climate and writing novels and screenplays that confront the darker, more taboo elements of the feminine experience. The Night Pool is the first of many novels to come.

About author Linda Hamilton: 

Linda Hamilton is an author and historian from Southern California. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education, and used to be a history teacher. Now she channels her passion for the past into writing historical fiction and independent study. Her debut novel, The Fourth Wife (Kensington, 2026), is rooted in the real lives of women from her own family history and religious heritage. She blogs for Exponent II and serves as their social media manager. Linda is also currently completing her Master’s in history at Sam Houston State University. Her thesis focuses on Mormon women, polygamy, and identity in the 19th century. 

*a book purchase supports indie authors like Lauren and Linda, and also supports Black Cat Fables so that we can continue doing cool things for our community! Thanks, kittens 🖤