We’ve had so many great talks at Romancing the Gothic this year. I’ve learnt a lot from our amazing speakers and, as always, I’ve particularly enjoyed exploring areas outside my own area of expertise: from Persian mythology to Pakistani folklore, from ancient Mesopotamian demons to Gothic ballet. We have it all! You can find aContinue reading “Top Ten Talks of 2024”
Author Archives: SamHirst
Romancing the Gothic Five Star Reads 2024
Romancing the Gothic has a weekly book group. Although there’s a meeting every week, people are welcome to join us once a month, once a year, or just whenever there’s a book they’re interested in! Do get in touch if you’d like to join us. You can see upcoming reads here. Every year I doContinue reading “Romancing the Gothic Five Star Reads 2024”
The ‘Scare a Day’ challenge – First Week Round Up
Last year, I did a blog for every single day of the challenge and I have learned from that so that now I am only doing a weekly round-up! I’d also like to open the discussion up to you as well. You can follow along with the hashtag (#AScareADay) on Blue Sky or Twitter andContinue reading “The ‘Scare a Day’ challenge – First Week Round Up”
‘A Scare a Day’ Challenge – Over to you!
The Scare a Day reading challenge starts on 1st October. A short story or a poem every single day through October. There’ll be thrills and spills … hopefully! You can find the whole list here with handy links to all the texts if you don’t have your own copies at home. This year I’ll beContinue reading “‘A Scare a Day’ Challenge – Over to you!”
The October #AScareADay reading challenge 2024
It’s almost that time of year again! Join us for the third annual #AScareADay challenge to read a creepy short story or poem every day through the month of October. Last year, I did a blog every day which almost finished me off so this year I’m going to put up some discussion questions eachContinue reading “The October #AScareADay reading challenge 2024”
‘A Night at Baptiste’s’ – An Extract from Matthew Lewis’ The Monk
This is another text that we’ll be reading as part of the 2025 ‘Scare a Day’ reading challenge, but you’re welcome to read it on its own. The story is an extract from Matthew Lewis’ novel The Monk. It was a common practice at this period to reprint summarised and adapted versions of popular GothicContinue reading “‘A Night at Baptiste’s’ – An Extract from Matthew Lewis’ The Monk“
Albert of Werdendorff, or, The Midnight Embrace by Sarah Scudgell Wilkinson
This is another story that I have transcribed for the 2025 A Scare a Day challenge. This is an 1812 chapbook, supposedly the translation or adaptation of a German Tale. Albert of Werdendorff; or, The Midnight Embrace Sarah Scudgell Wilkinson Albert, lord of the ancient but stately castle of Werdendorff was young nobleman of elegantContinue reading “Albert of Werdendorff, or, The Midnight Embrace by Sarah Scudgell Wilkinson”
My Visitation by Rose Terry Cooke
I’m gearing up for this year’s 2025 #AScareADay reading challenge (a frightening story a day in October!). Some of the stories and tales I’m including aren’t that easy to find online and this is one of them! You can read this one now or wait until the challenge This is Rose Terry Cooke’s tale ‘MyContinue reading “My Visitation by Rose Terry Cooke”
2025 Romancing the Gothic Call for Papers
I’m opening up the call for the 2025 Romancing the Gothic talk series! Each month has a theme but please interpret it liberally. We want a range of papers from different countries and traditions. We welcome people from all stages of their academic career and from outside academia. You can find a list of topicsContinue reading “2025 Romancing the Gothic Call for Papers”
Devils and Justified Sinners – 2 day online conference – 24/25th August
Romancing the Gothic presents its fourth annual online conference over two days – 24th and 25th August. The conference celebrates 200 years of James Hogg’s Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner with a series of talks, events and workshops. You can sign up here The conference is designed to cover different timezones soContinue reading “Devils and Justified Sinners – 2 day online conference – 24/25th August”
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