First published in Harper’s Monthly Magazine in 1909, ‘Secret Chambers’ is often compared to Daphne Du Maurier’s later book Rebecca. I was curious about the story but found it hard to track down in a readable copy online. I found it, transcribed it, and here you go! I would love to hear people’s thoughts onContinue reading “Secret Chambers by Mrs Wilson Woodrow (1909)”
Author Archives: SamHirst
Romancing the Gothic 2026 Online Conference CFP
More Terrors than her Reason Could Justify A 200th Anniversary Celebration of Ann Radcliffe’s Posthumous Publications 2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Ann Radcliffe’s final posthumous works. Often paid scant attention in critical writing on Radcliffe, they challenge a number of common assumptions about Radcliffean form. In doing so, they force usContinue reading “Romancing the Gothic 2026 Online Conference CFP”
The ‘Scare a Day’ Challenge – October 2025
It’s almost October, which means it’s almost time for the #AScareADay challenge! One poem or scary short-story a day for a whole month. You can read along with us using the links below. Feel free to add your comments or follow along on social media using the hashtag #AScareADay (remember the capitals to make itContinue reading “The ‘Scare a Day’ Challenge – October 2025”
The Buried Alive by John Galt (1821)
We’re closing in October and I’m preparing for our annual #AScareADay challenge. I’ll be putting up the full list in the next week but today I’m posting one of our upcoming stories that can be a bit difficult to get hold of in a readable copy. This is John Galt’s short tale of … well,Continue reading “The Buried Alive by John Galt (1821)”
Romancing the Gothic 2026 Talk Series – Call for Papers
In 2026, our annual conference will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Ann Radcliffe’s final, posthumous, publications. An early Gothic writer, Radcliffe was known to some as the ‘Great Enchantress’, to others as the ‘Shakespeare of Romance writers’. She was a key figure in the early Gothic – both in shaping it and in itsContinue reading “Romancing the Gothic 2026 Talk Series – Call for Papers”
Romancing the Gothic 2025 Online Conference – ‘A Warning to the Curious’
You can get tickets at ticket tailor (this charges less fees and works better) or eventbrite (we’ve used this for longer but it is more expensive for RtG and can be glitchy) Romancing the Gothic presents its fifth annual online conference over two days – 23rd and 24th August. The conference celebrates 100 years ofContinue reading “Romancing the Gothic 2025 Online Conference – ‘A Warning to the Curious’”
Romancing the Gothic World Tour
One of my favourite things about Romancing the Gothic is learning about horror, Gothic and supernatural traditions around the world. So you too can armchair travel your way through international histories of horror and the Gothic, I’ve made a Romancing the Gothic World Tour Map You can access the map yourself here and click toContinue reading “Romancing the Gothic World Tour”
CFP – My Wild Heart Bleeds – Edited Collection
CFP: ‘My Wild Heart Bleeds: Exploring Sheridan Le Fanu’s ‘Carmilla’ and its legacy’ Sheridan Le Fanu published his sapphic vampire tale ‘Carmilla’ in 1872, reworking the vampire genre, and creating a figure who has inspired subsequent original works and reimaginings. This collection focuses on new explorations and readings of ‘Carmilla’ and its ongoing legacy, fromContinue reading “CFP – My Wild Heart Bleeds – Edited Collection”
Goths for Breakfast 2025
Romancing the Gothic is running an online charity event to support Magic Breakfast, which provides school breakfasts for children who need them. The event is a day of online classes and workshops with academics, experts and writers. You can come in and out as often or as infrequently as you like through the day. YouContinue reading “Goths for Breakfast 2025”
CFP for A Warning to The Curious: Ghostly, Supernatural and Weird Tales
An ONLINE conference on 23rd and 24th August 2025 marking the 100th anniversary of MR James A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 10th April 2025 The conference is fully online and is open to scholars and experts from around the world. In 1925, M R James published his final collectionContinue reading “CFP for A Warning to The Curious: Ghostly, Supernatural and Weird Tales”