Dr. Sharon Pajka
Sharon Pajka is a Professor in the Department of English. She holds a Ph.D. in English Education from the University of Virginia. Her recent publications focus on deaf characters and dead (e.g. vampire) characters in adolescent literature.
Her doctoral research focused on the portrayals and perceptions of Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature. She currently keeps a research blog on the topic: http://pajka.blogspot.com/.
She enjoys teaching courses in adolescent literature and literary studies along with teaching interdisciplinary courses, including “Vampires: Their Historical Significance in Literature, Film, and Pop Culture,” which made The Washington Post's list of "The 15 Oddest College Courses in the D.C. Region".
In 2018, Dr. Pajka completed a graduate program in Public History at the University of Richmond while developing a course focused on dark tourism.
On the weekends, you can find her in the cemetery giving history tours, and running River City Cemetarians; or, you can find her in the blogosphere at http://Goth-Gardening.blogspot.com/ where she uses “gardening” as a metaphor for living a more gothy life.
268
Feb. 19, 2026
Episode 268 - Grave Delights & Ghostly Bites: A Cemetery Dessert Special
What dessert would you eat in a cemetery? This week, we're sharing some of your wild and wonderful social media responses to that very question, inspired by the authors of "To Die For A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes" and "Haunted Virginia Cemeteries"! We're unwrapping a brand new episode that also features classic clips from our chats with Rosie Grant and Sharon Pajka about their fascinating journeys to writing these books. And as if that's not sweet enough, we're giving away copies of both books! Be sure to tune in for all the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery fun!
Guests: Dr. Sharon Pajka, Rosie Grant
243
July 31, 2025
Episode 243 - Haunted History: Exploring Virginia's Cemeteries with Sharon Pajka
Get ready for a chilling conversation! Join Jennie and Dianne as they chat with author Sharon Pajka, PhD, about her new book "Haunted Virginia Cemeteries". As we creep into spooky season, Sharon guides us through the Old Dominion's most haunted burial grounds, from Arlington Cemetery's eerie atmosphere to the ghostly apparitions at Monticello. But don't let the paranormal tales fool you - this book is also a deep dive into Virginia's rich history, and Sharon shares her expertise on the historical research that brings these haunted places to life. Tune in for a conversation that's equal parts spooky and scholarly!
Guest: Dr. Sharon Pajka
145
Aug. 3, 2023
Episode 145 - The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: Graves of his Family, Friends and Foes with Dr. Sharon Pajka
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Jennie and Dianne are joined this week by a favorite returning guest, Dr. Sharon Pajka, to discuss her new book being released on August 21st, The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: Graves of his Family, Friends and Foes. In her book Sharon helps readers to visit the graves of the people with whom he worked and socialized, who he loved and at times loathed and gain a fuller understanding of Poe's li...
Guest: Dr. Sharon Pajka
128
March 30, 2023
Episode 128 - Ordinary Extraordinary Women: Uncovering the Hidden Stories of the Past
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Jennie and Dianne celebrate the last week of Women's History Month by revisiting some past interviews with women who have researched the Ordinary Extraordinary women of the past who fascinated them. Join them as they chat with authors Jan MacKell Collins and Sharon Pajka about soiled doves, marvelous madams, and women writers. They also revisit a conversation with Jennie's very good friend Lauril...
100
Sept. 8, 2022
Episode 100 - Celebrating 100 Episodes of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast!
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Jennie and Dianne look back through the first 99 episodes of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast. They discuss some of their favorite episodes, highlight clips from memorable moments with guests, and share comments and reviews from listeners. Many thanks to all those who have listened and contributed to these first 100 episodes! We are so grateful! Join in the celebration of the dozens of...
74
March 10, 2022
Episode 74 - Women Writers Buried in Virginia Part 2
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Jennie and Dianne continue their discussion with Sharon Pajka, PhD about the 44 ordinary extraordinary women writers covered in her book 'Women Writers Buried in Virginia'. In this episode we are introduced to Ella Howard Bryan who wrote westerns under the nom de plume Clinton Dangerfield and formed a friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt. We also hear about Amélie Louise Rives Chanler Tro...
Guest: Dr. Sharon Pajka
73
March 2, 2022
Episode 73 - Women Writers Buried in Virginia
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Jennie and Dianne welcome writer and professor of English Sharon Pajka, PhD back to the show to discuss her latest book, "Women Writers Buried in Virginia". What started out as a summer visit to the grave of acclaimed Gothic horror writer VC Andrews, soon became a trek across Virginia to visit the graves and share the stories of 44 Ordinary Extraordinary women writers whose final resting places a...
Guest: Dr. Sharon Pajka
53
Oct. 7, 2021
Episode 53 - Happy One Year Anniversary Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast!
Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. In this very special episode Jennie and Dianne celebrate the one year anniversary of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast! This episode is slightly longer than normal as they recap the first year of the podcast and then have a wonderful discussion with special guest Sharon Pajka who takes them on a tour through one of Edgar Allan Poe's favorite haunts, Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond, Vi...
Guest: Dr. Sharon Pajka