Madeleine D’Este
Originally from Tasmania, Madeleine D’Este now lives in inner-city Melbourne surrounded by books.
After studying law and seeing the world, now she writes speculative fiction and mysteries at night — female-led, of course.
In 2019, her supernatural mystery novel, The Flower and The Serpent, was nominated for the Australian Shadow Award’s Best Novel. Her Australian gothic novella, Radcliffe (Deadset Press), received a 2023 Aurealis Award nomination for Best Horror Novella.
Madeleine hosts the weekly Dark Mysteries book review radio show/podcast on artdistrict-radio.com, as well as formerly hosting Write Through The Roof, the podcast for writers.
When not writing, Madeleine enjoys podcasts, knitting, forteana, indie films, kettle bells and likes her coffee as ‘black as midnight on a moonless night’.
Madeleine can be found at:
Website: madeleinedeste.com
Tell me what inspired you to write your book?
The inspiration initially came from three words ‘death is coming.’ What would you do if you heard this message in your head?
I also love gothic fiction which always features a big spooky house, and like to play with transposing my favourite tropes to Australia, the place I know best. Another one of my books, the vampire novella Bloodwood, was set in the Victorian Goldfields.
Melbourne architecture, and especially the rundown grand houses of inner city Melbourne, inspired Radcliffe (the building), including a few grotty rental properties from my past.
Bad weather and heightened emotions are also essential gothic tropes, and instead of a storm or mists on the moors, I’ve set Radcliffe during a heatwave. And if you’ve ever suffered through a week of 40’c temperatures, you’ll understand how that can heighten everyone’s emotions.
What came first the character or the world?
The message Tamsin hears ‘death is coming’ was the first kernel of the whole story which became Radcliffe.
Then when building my main character Tamsin I researched different types of psychic abilities, which include ‘clairaudience’, and of course I was mindful of the old cliché – ‘hearing voices is the first sign of madness.’
But as I mentioned earlier, the world of Radcliffe was also very important and playing with the ‘rules’ of gothic fiction.
Radcliffe: A Novella
How hard was it to get your first book published?
I’m a hybrid author and this is my first traditionally published novella. Luckily I had worked with Deadset Press before, after my short story ‘Rivulet’ was included in their ‘Where the Weird Things Are Vol.1’ anthology. I heard they were looking for novellas and submitted, and I was luckily selected.
How long did it take to write?
I started to write Radcliffe in 2020 or 2021 (timelines are very blurry during Melbourne’s lockdowns of this period), then I swapped with my critique partners and revised and revised and revised. I finished in September 2022.
Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?
Are you happy to do a cross-posting? I have just sent a Radcliffe playlist as a guest blog post on jonblackwrites.com. I can let you know when it is published.
How many publishers turned you down?
At least four.
What kind of reactions have you had to your book?
Readers have called it ‘eerie’ and ‘creepy’ and ‘chilling’.
What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?
One reader likened me to a ‘modern Poe’. Which is ridiculous and amazing.
What can you tell us about your next book?
I have a novel coming out soon (I’m being deliberately vague on the details) which is a folk-horror/dark fantasy about family, community and a cursed recipe book.
Do you take notice of online reviews?
Of course. It’s hard not to. But reviews are for readers, not me.
Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?
I’ve written steampunk, historical fantasy, horror and psychological thrillers. One of my works-in-progress is a dual timeline historical fiction which is a little outside my comfort zone. Especially as there is nothing supernatural about the story.
What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?
I pay my bills by working as a project manager by day.
Which author(s) inspire you?
Kate Morton, Silvia Moreno Garcia, Daphne du Maurier, Agatha Christie, LM Montgomery, CJ Sansom, MR James, Louise Penney, Michael Robotham
Which genres do you read yourself?
I like mysteries, thrillers and horror. And the occasional “hi-lit”
What is your biggest motivator?
The sheer delight and fun of making up stories. This is the only thing which gets me through the hard work of editing.
What will always distract you?
Day job, social media, need for sleep.
How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?
I’ve been lucky and my publishers always give me the right to comment/critique my covers.
Were you a big reader as a child?
I was the biggest book worm. I adored Enid Blyton and boarding school stories especially.
What were your favourite childhood books?
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend, Enid Blyton, Judy Blume.
Do you have any rituals when writing?
I always need music playing and always instrumentals (or singing in languages other than English). The only exception is when it’s raining and I listen to the music of the rain on the roof instead.
What is your current or latest read?
I’m a voracious reader and read a book a week. The book which most recently blew me away was ‘Starve Acre’ by Andrew Michael Hurley.
I host a weekly crime, mystery & thriller book review podcast ‘Dark Mysteries’ (https://artdistrict-radio.com/emissions/dark-mysteries-19) on Art District Radio where I talk about books I enjoy.
Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?
I do love a bit of historical fiction and I am looking forward to the latest from Ken Follett in the Kingsbridge series. It will be a Christmas treat.
