I had the honor and pleasure to read my story “Nymue Rising,” first published in Crow & Cross Keys, for the inaugural episode of Gothic Tales NYC podcast!
Gothic Tales is a multimedia program dedicated to the chilling tales of Edgar Allan Poe and the NYC storytellers inspired by his work. I was thrilled when William Trevino, creator and narrator, asked me to record in the Manhattan Neighborhood Network podcast room. I’ve always loved Poe — I still have my well-worn hardcover collection of stories from high school — and I’ll never forget the first time I read ‘The Pit and the Pendulum.” It’s the only story that has ever made me jump and gasp like a movie would!
I’m usually one for podiums, but I loved that microphone!
Although I wouldn’t call “Nymue Rising” gothic per se, there is definitely a dark gothic-esque flavor to it with my skeleton girl protagonist, who starts off as a vulnerable maiden but then rises, quite literally, first to be her own protector and then to offer protection and solidarity as she can to another.
And of course, the lake itself is a character also. (Below — picture from the cliffs of Lake Minnewaska, NY, which inspired the story.)
We took several takes — I did screw up two times, much to my annoyance with myself. (And William, laughing at me: “Ok, well, we can’t say ‘f—‘ on the podcast…”) But the second full take went really well and that’s what you will hear!
William is a colleague of mine, a communication studies and theater professor, and his speciality is oral interpretation of Poe’s work. He’s performed at the Poe Museum, and I’ve seen his hour-long performance of “Ligeia.” His interpretation of “The Raven” in this first episode is masterful in both tone and expression.
Gothic Tales will be broadcast on MNN! You can learn more about Manhattan Neighborhood Network here: https://www.mnn.org/
Below find the full episode, my reading excerpt, and William’s reading excerpt.
Subscribe to Gothic Tales on YouTube to be informed when more episodes drop!
White raven writing 
Leave a comment