Day 10 of my bookish gift guide. Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore by @katyhoran.bsky.social. For readers drawn to darker threads of folk tradition, for those who want their music history served with cultural critique and gorgeous art, and who understand how tragedy and myth become song.

Uh yeah, this book rules @katyhoran.bsky.social

Books I loved in waning daylight: 🌙Our Share of Night, Mariana Enriquez 🥀Literary Witches, Taisia Kitaiskaia & @katyhoran.bsky.social 🕳️Portalmania, @debbieurbanski.bsky.social 👾The Sky Didn’t Load Today, Rich Larson 📚The Illness Lesson, @clarebeams.bsky.social 🕌The White Mosque, Sofia Samatar

Thrilled to see Murder Ballads by @katyhoran.bsky.social included on the 2025 Books We Love list by @npr.org! apps.npr.org/best-books/#...

I chat to Katy Horan about murder ballads, discussing what they are, how they work within folk music, how contemporary musicians have tried to reclaim the tradition, and the issues with examining ballads when all you might have is the lyrics! youtu.be/7jb_4K_Q60w?...

If you enjoy the insights of Megan Kaminski, the magic of Taisia Kitaiskaia & Katy Horan, Fen Inkwright's world-building, and Edgar Lee Masters' folklore... Check out The Elsewhere Oracle by Michele Battiste, releasing with Black Lawrence Press on August 12! Pre-order now: buff.ly/r84XaIE

@paulduane.bsky.social @sineadgleeson.bsky.social @katyhoran.bsky.social This beauty just arrived! Ideal reading (and listening) for long hot summer days…

THE BLOODY GARDENER is an old ballad. Rich in imagery and narrative, it was one of the first ballads I took to when I started researching the subject over 10 years ago. Learn more in MURDER BALLADS: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore out now from @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social bookshop.org/p/books/murd...

Beautiful new book MURDER BALLADS an illustrated history by Katy Horan, the artist of LITERARY WITCHES, as well as my folk horror map and the YELLOW WALLPAPER audio recording I did. 🖤

I interviewed @katyhoran.bsky.social about her new book, Murder Ballads scarlettwoman.substack.com/p/murder-bal...

I knew IN THE PINES long before the conception of this book thanks to Nirvana’s unplugged album. My research for the book then led me down a very elusive history. Learn more in MURDER BALLADS: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore out now from @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social bookshop.org/p/books/murd...

This book.😍

Some murder ballads come from lore, and others tell true tales of a killing, like that of Naomi Wise. There is the true story of Naomie and there is the ballad of Omie Wise. Read about both in MURDER BALLADS: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore, out now @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social bookshop.org/p/books/murd...

Some murder ballads come from lore, and others tell true tales of a killing, like that of Naomi Wise. There is the true story of Naomie and there is the ballad of Omie Wise. Read about both in MURDER BALLADS: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore, out now @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social bookshop.org/p/books/murd...

The audiobook of Murder Ballads is also out AND it includes renditions of some of the songs by Marissa Nadler, Okkervil River, and Lizzie No! Scroll down to AUDIO for listening options! www.simonandschuster.com/books/Murder...

Marissa Nadler and Milky Burgess – The Bloody Gardener Review Murder ballads are given an ethereal rootsy inimagining.

I am so late to posting this here, but Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore is out now! Thank you for everything @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social www.simonandschuster.com/books/Murder...

Book 65: Murder Ballads by @katyhoran.bsky.social

I did some daft chat for issue three of The Wandering Wizard zine, which was nice. Also featuring @greenlungband.bsky.social and @katyhoran.bsky.social ✨..

Ep. 348D is here! Katy Horan stops by to chat about MURDER BALLADS: ILLUSTRATED LYRICS & LORE. We discuss the history of murder ballads, some prominent examples, and their influence on media today. @katyhoran.bsky.social @simonandschuster.bsky.social turnthepage.blubrry.net/2025/05/01/t...

Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore enters the world next Tues 4/29 from Preorder link in bio! Austin Frenz: come to Book People on 4/29 at 7pm to celebrate with me. I will be in conversation with THE Laurie Gallardo from KUTX I hope to see you there!!!!

This week, Lindsay chats with Katy Horan about her book, "Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics and Lore," which will be released on April 29th. Listen to the episode now at pod.link/yeoldecrime and pre-order a copy at bookshop.org/p/books/murd.... #HistoryPodcast

This is what organizing over 1,200 events in a few weeks looks like. This is what democracy looks like. Join the more than half a million of us who will be taking to the streets tomorrow to stand up against Trump’s unprecedented power grab: handsoff2025.com?SQF_SOURCE=i...

My first book trailer! “Omie Wise” played by the wonderful Marissa Nadler She comes out 4/29 from @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social Preorder here: bookshop.org/p/books/murd...

My new book comes out on 4/29 and @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social is offering a chance to win 1 of 10 prints of my fave illustration from the book! Enter here by 4/6! site.andrewsmcmeel.com/murder-balla...

Join @katyhoran.bsky.social on April 29th discussing MURDER BALLADS, an unearthing of the true and fictional stories behind twenty traditional murder ballads that explores the beauty and horror of the art form with KUTX's Laurie Gallardo. More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...

I have a short story out today in Bloodletter Magazine about a ghost, being haunted, and being hungry. Haunting illustrations by the talented @katyhoran.bsky.social #bloodlettermag

📢 SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 5. Together with progressive partners, we’re planning a massive mobilization in the streets to translate the anger with Trump’s power grab into a nationwide show of defiance. Find a Hands Off! event near you or plan one: handsoff2025.com?SQF_SOURCE=i...

Schumer et al shouldn’t wait until 2028. They need to resign and open up space for a younger cohort that understands this moment instead of basing decisions off of an *imaginary couple*

If Democrats won't act like an opposition party, we will.

If you vote for this Republican Funding Bill, you are complicit in all that DOGE, President Elon, and Trump does.

Trump berates Zelensky, the leader of a democratic country courageously fighting Russian imperialism, while he allies himself with Putin, a dictator who started the bloodiest European war in 80 years. Sorry, President Trump. We believe in democracy, not authoritarianism.

YOU MUST DISAGREE WITH AUTHORITY FIGURES

WIP

It’s a real book! So surreal to actually see her in person. Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore comes out 4/29. Preorder bookshop.org/p/books/murd... @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social

Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore comes out 4/29 from @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social!!!