E: 224: Art in Gothic with Madison Tyler Nelson
Oct 15, 2026 · 54m
Summary
Madison Tyler Nelson discusses her debut novel, Portrait of a Haunting, exploring its gothic horror themes and the connection between art and supernatural ability. She shares her personal history with macabre art and how it inspired the book’s central mystery. The episode concludes with a series of book recommendations, including Malice House, The Artist of Blackberry Grange, and Paint It Black, all featuring strong gothic or artistic elements.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest welcome
Overview of Portrait of a Haunting plot
Inspirations: macabre art and bodily fluids
Character development and the mother-daughter dynamic
Discussion on transgressive art and Andre Serrano
Research process and self-reflection in Gothic art
The connection between sight, power, and creation
The experience of buying and displaying original art
Book recommendation: The Haunting of Hill House (or similar fairy tale Gothic)
Book recommendation: A Gothic thriller set in Arkansas
Book recommendation: Layered psychological Gothic thriller
Book recommendation: Rachel Hawkins' portrait-centric Gothic
Book recommendation: A Dangerous Bargain by Aaron Cotter
Book recommendation: A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
Book recommendation: Alice Hoffman's darker works
Book recommendation: Victorian death photography mystery
Book recommendation: Grief and art in a contemporary setting
Book recommendation: Mansion in Miniature and dollhouse art
Closing remarks and show support links
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