Well this is very cool

A useful thing to know about me is whether you're paying big money for a uni course I'm teaching or $55 dollars on a year long exploration of 18th century literature with me, I put in the same amount of effort and research because my off-switch is missing. So, a bit of a steal really!

You can sign onto this course through the year BUT it is about to start if you want to get in right at the beginning! We'll be reading books together! I'm also providing context readings, critical readings, creative prompts and questions for discussion. Come join in any way that works for you!

Best thing I’ve read this morning, from a human rights lawyer in Mexico. Translation is in the ALT-text.

Boosting this today led to a load of people signing up so... boosting again! Come join us! We'll be reading a book a month and I'll be providing contextualising and critical material, questions AND creative prompts.

Introduce yourself as what almost killed you Hey, this is leukaemia and her bunch of shitty friends pneumonia, (necessary) poison in a bag (which caused significant organ damage), and whatever that stomach thing was that almost got me.

I’m very excited to teach a free online class on Robert Aickman and the art of the artifice ghost story as part of @romgothsam.bsky.social’s brilliant Romancing the Gothic series on 21 February! Join me: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/robert-aic...

You can sign onto this course through the year BUT it is about to start if you want to get in right at the beginning! We'll be reading books together! I'm also providing context readings, critical readings, creative prompts and questions for discussion. Come join in any way that works for you!

Really pleased that the lecture I gave on disability in history for @histassoc.bsky.social is now live and #openaccess #DisabilityHistoryMonth #CriptheCurriculum #18C #WilliamHay #LifeWriting Link: eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...

What's this I see? A free to access education programme which brings expert speakers together from around the world? Come join us!

Lol Well, I did possibly get the chance at a job in Australia today which would be some sultry temperatures, I guess?

I made this top ten list into a handy-dandy blog post! Give it a share and give yourself a treat by watching one of the videos! (Or any of the great talks on the channel from scholars around the world!)

I am so thrilled to teach this course! I'm hoping people are as excited to join me!

I am so thrilled to teach this course! I'm hoping people are as excited to join me!

If you want to explore women's writing: its popularity, its possibility, its themes, its intricacies but don't know where to start... come join us!

Have you ever wanted to study with me? I run some great online courses through different institutions for good prices and the next ones start in January! Why not come join me? I'm putting all the details below! Come if you're interested in the Gothic, popular romance, or women's writing

Another tip: read a book that's been translated to the language you learn from one you already speak. There's always a hint of the original phrasing/grammar which makes it easier to parse. This is not to say translations are inferior in any way, they're just a tiny bit closer to what you're used to

This reminds me of a mistake people often make when starting to read in a new language (tangenting somewhat wildly)- they start with kids books. Don't do it! Kids books have their own non-standard language. My top tip is always YA! Often simpler and clearer language so an easier lift off.

This talk looks great for #folklore lovers and #gothic enthusiasts alike! There's also a handy little reading list in the talk description. Check it out!

My December is still delicious but I am havig a bit of a 'using stuff up in the fridge' day so I'm having some basic spicy rice. Still tasty though! What are your favourite 'using stuff up' recipes?

This book is fantastic, and manages to not only be thrilling but frequently hilarious. You owe it to yourself to read it!

Remember to check out the upcoming Romancing the Gothic talks next year! Everyone welcome. Free to access. Online. They happen twice to catch people in different time zones. Come and join us!

My delicious December continues! A simple soup but always a favourite because it's my gran's recipe (Crumbly cheese and cream a Christmas bonus!)

It's that time of year again! I've surveyed the Romancing the Book Group members and we've come up with our top '5-star reads' Get some bookish inspiration here! romancingthegothic.com/2025/12/28/r...

It's the end of the year so it's time for the top ten new talks from Romancing the Gothic for 2025! I'll start with 10 and build up to 1. Hopefully something for everyone! Gather round, Goths!

This month, I'm getting back into class so... I have a lot of reading to do. For fun reading no longer included. These lists have been keeping me accountable so I'm going to continue them! New year, new goals This month's aims: 10 novels/novellas, 2 plays, 3 non-fiction, 20 articles

I finally did it! I finally actually hit all the goals. A holiday miracle! 🥳 14 novels 11 novellas (25 combined novels and novellas) 15 articles 2 non-fiction 2 plays 1 short-story collection 1 18th century prose collection 1 graphic novel

And relax...

1) Women and the Early Gothic with Sam Hirst I should probably clarify that this 'top ten' is the ten most watched videos from this year on the channel. It's not being biased, I promise! youtu.be/ZYXmHoErwL8

These are the top ten most watched new talks (uploaded in 2025) on the Romancing the Gothic channel this year

It's the end of the year so it's time for the top ten new talks from Romancing the Gothic for 2025! I'll start with 10 and build up to 1. Hopefully something for everyone! Gather round, Goths!

I have lived with a lot of cruelty in my life and I am tired of it. The world is cruel, cruelty is celebrated now, and we can add to it or diminish it. I don't care if it makes me thin-skinned or over-cautious, I would rather not be part of this world's endless fucking cruelty.

These are our reading group's top books of the year... what are yours!?

It's that time of year again! I've surveyed the Romancing the Book Group members and we've come up with our top '5-star reads' Get some bookish inspiration here! romancingthegothic.com/2025/12/28/r...

Reminder to be inclusive to those who need/benefit from alt text. You can enable requiring it so you don’t forget

Quote this with what you have accomplished in 2025 no matter how small - got a new book contract - started teaching my own courses for Continuing Ed at Liverpool uni - won 'teacher of the year' at the Regency academe - got small research funding - wrote a collection chapter on new research

For folks interested in writers from Pittsburgh, mystery novels, and/or spiritualism in the 1920s

It is my birthday today (41) and so far I have spent it alone and quiet reading gay little books (3 to be exact) and eating trifle, surrounded by cats. The dream. I hope everyone who shares my birthday is getting a bit of joy out of today!

If you mistake your life, or another person's life - amazing & wild & variable & brief but FILLED with chances to talk to people & get to know them & learn from them - for something that is purely extractive & transactional? I'm sorry, but that is a loss to the world, & I pity your heart.

Tons of great stuff here for anyone interested in the #Gothic.

I’ll be back in April to talk about Old Norse body horror! Have a look at the schedule for plenty of other great talks coming too

Friends, this series is unfailingly brilliant and I encourage you to give them a look!

Less than a year until my next talk for Romancing the Gothic. Get that date in your diaries!

Posting some food pics has been really interesting because mostly it's really nice. Just a load of people who like food saying yum, or sharing their food or asking for a recipe. Then there's always at least one guy who pops up like the terminator of good cheer and is like 'ewwww' or 'gross, why?'

A Romancing the Gothic first! I have put the whole schedule for 2026 up in advance! You can already book tickets through March but you can see what's coming (and note it in your diary!) for the whole year! What a talk schedule! romancingthegothic.com/class-schedu...

Delicious December isn't all about rich flavours, I've also been making some crunchy and fresh-tasting coleslaw (ish)

Delicious December continues! Cheistmas leftovers reenacting Christmas dinner (I don't do the traditional roast)

I am spending Boxing day at home relaxing and very much enjoying watching this talk on a history of colour in horror film! youtu.be/VEyn_MVGkqg

A nice haul!

Very, very grateful for what's looking to be the start of a great reading year in 2026 🙏