This November’s theme is ‘anything goes!’ We’re looking at alternative forms of the Gothic, including podcasts, video games, non-fiction and some zombie movies for good measure. Here’s what you can look forward to (with links to sign up!) A reminder that all our talks are free to access but donations are very much appreciated. ItContinue reading “November Programme”
Author Archives: SamHirst
100 more Gothic, horror and supernatural reads!
I got a bit carried away with the earlier sections of my ‘101 Gothic reads’ list so didn’t have much room for the 20th or 21st centuries. Please bear in mind this list is based on my own reading and areas of knowledge and so it really leans towards the Gothic, the UK and areasContinue reading “100 more Gothic, horror and supernatural reads!”
101 Gothic Reads You Might Enjoy
101 Gothic reads from the 18th century onwards. How many have you read? Disclaimer: This is a list the leans into my expertise (18th and 19th century British Gothic and Gothic romance). There are some examples of multiple books for one author – that’s because I’ve read them! I think they’re fascinating or they’re prettyContinue reading “101 Gothic Reads You Might Enjoy”
The ‘Ghost a Day’ challenge
This year, to celebrate the spookiest month of the year, we’ve got the ‘Ghost a Day’ challenge. A new scary, spooky, creepy or even terrifying story or poem each day. You can follow along on twitter here or by using the hashtag #AGhostADay. You can also interact with the challenge by reading along and sharingContinue reading “The ‘Ghost a Day’ challenge”
2023 Talk Series – Call For Papers
Hello everyone! It’s that time of year again when I start calling in people for next year’s talks! If you’d be interested in doing a talk with us a few details: Our talks run each weekend. We ask each speaker to do the talk twice (where possible) on either a Saturday or a Sunday. TheContinue reading “2023 Talk Series – Call For Papers”
5 more lesser-known early Gothic novels
About 2 years ago (how time flies!), I posted a blog with 5 lesser-known early Gothic novels. Hopefully, that’s been long enough to read them for anyone inclined so it’s time for another 5! Now, once again, it bears repeating that this list is only ‘lesser-known’ in relative terms. I’ll be introducing some books thatContinue reading “5 more lesser-known early Gothic novels”
10 Early Vampire Tales
Dracula (1897) has become synonymous with the vampire tale. He’s become a part of our collective consciousness and there are more versions of the character and the novel than you can shake a stick at. Of course, he was far from the first vampire or the only version of the vampire around at the time.Continue reading “10 Early Vampire Tales”
The Lazarus Experiment: A Tale of Two Lazaruses
As the original site has disappeared, I am republishing (without amendment) some of my earliest academic work! This is a three part blog series and I’ll be releasing one a week. You can see the start of my work on the Gothic and theology here. The jump in footnotes is an image which is noContinue reading “The Lazarus Experiment: A Tale of Two Lazaruses”
Is the Gothic gay?
This little blog starts to answer a timeless question. It is adapted from a twitter thread that I wrote in May 2021. It doesn’t cover everything and I’d love to hear more about your favourite queer Gothic reads! Much of Gothic fiction is replete with homoeroticism. Gothic texts regularly explore the transgressive, places on theContinue reading “Is the Gothic gay?”
Re-thinking the Paranoid Gothic – Queer Reading of William Godwin
If you’re a literature lover, the name of William Godwin might be less than familiar that that of his relations. He was the father of Mary Shelley, the husband of Mary Wollstonecraft and an inspiration for Percy Shelley among others. He was a political philosopher, whose work continues to be read and studied today butContinue reading “Re-thinking the Paranoid Gothic – Queer Reading of William Godwin”
Romancing the Gothic 