The Blake Society
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blakesociety.bsky.social
The Blake Society
@blakesociety.bsky.social
The Blake Society celebrates the life and work of William Blake (1757-1827) poet, artist & visionary. We hold regular meetings (online and in real locations), organise Blakean events and publish our journal, VALA.
https://blakesociety.org
Pinned
Infinite Liberty: Georges Bataille reading Blake in Postwar France - join us on zoom next Wednesday 8 October, 7:30 PM for Stuart Kendall's talk on the influence of Blake on French philosopher, Georges Bataille.
More info and FREE registration at blakesociety.org/product/infi...
Infinite Liberty: Georges Bataille reading Blake in Postwar France - The Blake Society
Stuart Kendall discusses the influence of Blake on French philiosopher, Georges Bataille.
blakesociety.org
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A bit late for Halloween, but here’s young William Blake’s brother fulfilling the age old duty of big siblings everywhere by freaking him out

More in the latest part of my work-in-progress graphic novel about Blake
loshighway.substack.com/p/los-part-4

#williamblake #graphicnovel #comic #ghoststory
November 7, 2025 at 10:45 AM
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Young William Blake meets God! (or does he?)

New pages from my work-in-progress graphic novel up at loshighway.substack.com/p/los-part-4

#WilliamBlake #graphicnovel #comic
November 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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New old comic strip about Catherine Blake, along with latest developments on LOS, my work in progress graphic novel about William Blake open.substack.com/pub/loshighw...
Minute Particulars
I’m up to my elbows in watercolours (?) finishing up some new pages of LOS, so this ‘ll be a quick one.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
This evening we'll be talking Blake and Bataille with Stuart Kendall. There's still time to reserve a free place using the link below 👇
Infinite Liberty: Georges Bataille reading Blake in Postwar France - join us on zoom next Wednesday 8 October, 7:30 PM for Stuart Kendall's talk on the influence of Blake on French philosopher, Georges Bataille.
More info and FREE registration at blakesociety.org/product/infi...
Infinite Liberty: Georges Bataille reading Blake in Postwar France - The Blake Society
Stuart Kendall discusses the influence of Blake on French philiosopher, Georges Bataille.
blakesociety.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:21 PM
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In case I haven’t already mentioned it, I’m serialising LOS, my graphic novel about William Blake, on substack.
First 12 pages are free, then each month I’ll add more pages for paid subscribers, fresh from the drawing board.
open.substack.com/pub/loshighw...
October 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Hear the voice of the Bard! on #NationalPoetryDay
October 2, 2025 at 12:40 PM
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Latest pages from LOS, my work-in-progress graphic novel about William Blake, now up at loshighway.substack.com/p/los-part-3
Thanks to everyone who's subscribed to support this project so far!
LOS part 3
'My first Vision of Light'
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Infinite Liberty: Georges Bataille reading Blake in Postwar France - join us on zoom next Wednesday 8 October, 7:30 PM for Stuart Kendall's talk on the influence of Blake on French philosopher, Georges Bataille.
More info and FREE registration at blakesociety.org/product/infi...
Infinite Liberty: Georges Bataille reading Blake in Postwar France - The Blake Society
Stuart Kendall discusses the influence of Blake on French philiosopher, Georges Bataille.
blakesociety.org
October 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM
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Here's my latest substack malarkey, in which I catch up on some recent 'Blake Bollocks' and then describe how I printed the chapter titles of my WIP Blake graphic novel on a replica 18th century printing press in Houston.
Read and subscribe! etc.
open.substack.com/pub/loshighw...
September 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Thanks to @philiphoare.bsky.social for such a fascinating conversation last night on his book, William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love.

If you missed the event you can submerge yourself in a video here blakesociety.org/product/phil...
Philip Hoare - William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love - The Blake Society
Acclaimed author Philip Hoare joins us to discuss his new book, William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love.
blakesociety.org
September 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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Of course Bowie was working on a musical set in the 18th century! And there was going to be something about the ‘Gorden’ Riots - surely Blake would have got a look in? www.bbc.com/news/article... @philiphoare.bsky.social @andyw23.bsky.social
David Bowie's final project was a musical set in London - BBC News
Shortly before his death, the star wrote dozens of notes for a musical set in 18th Century London.
www.bbc.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
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I’m 3/4 of the way through this brilliant, sprawling behemoth of a book, all about Blake and the artists, writers and weirdos who followed in his wake. I’ll be talking to @philiphoare.bsky.social next Wednesday 10 Sept on zoom with @blakesociety.bsky.social Join us!
blakesociety.org/product/phil...
September 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
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Blakefest 2025 celebrates visionary poet William Blake on 27–28 September in Felpham and Bognor Regis.
Events include theatrical performances, guided walks, and live music, starting near Blake’s restored cottage.
Visit the website for further details: blakefest.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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As it’s dawned on me just how long it's going to take to draw my ludicrously ambitious graphic novel about William Blake, I've decided to serialise it on Substack (and try to at least part-finance its creation)

You can read the first 12 pages and subscribe for more
open.substack.com/pub/loshighway
LOS HIGHWAY | John Riordan | Substack
John Riordan's work-in-progress, serialised graphic novel about visionary poet and artist, William Blake. Click to read LOS HIGHWAY, by John Riordan, a Substack publication. Launched 3 hours ago.
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
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We're delighted to announce that on Wednesday 10 September at 19:00 (UK time) we'll be talking to @philiphoare.bsky.social on zoom about his extraordinary new book, William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love. Join us by registering (for free) at blakesociety.org/product/phil...
Philip Hoare - William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love - The Blake Society
Acclaimed author Philip Hoare joins us to discuss his new book, William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love.
blakesociety.org
August 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
We're delighted to announce that on Wednesday 10 September at 19:00 (UK time) we'll be talking to @philiphoare.bsky.social on zoom about his extraordinary new book, William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love. Join us by registering (for free) at blakesociety.org/product/phil...
Philip Hoare - William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love - The Blake Society
Acclaimed author Philip Hoare joins us to discuss his new book, William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love.
blakesociety.org
August 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
William Blake died on this day in 1827. Before his death, he said: 'I am going to that country which I have all my life wished to see'

Graveside Gathering - Sat 16 August, 12 noon at Bunhill Fields - our celebration of Blake's life and work

All are welcome! More at blakesociety.org/product/blak...
Meeting at Blake's Grave - The Blake Society
Join us to mark the anniversary of William Blake's death and to celebrate his life and work.
blakesociety.org
August 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
We'll be talking to Philip about his remarkable book in September. Watch this space for more details!
August 12, 2025 at 11:37 AM
You can now watch Dr Rebecca Marks' fascinating talk on Blake's lost painting of The Last Judgment at blakesociety.org/product/last...
August 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
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Did this fun interview with art blogger extraordinaire Rebecca Marks about my Blake mania and book-in-progress. Includes bonus portrait of me with big hair before I got too hot and shaved it all off

open.substack.com/pub/cultured...
Drawing William Blake
Interview with John Riordan, graphic novelist and biographer
open.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:56 PM
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We've added a few extra places to the afternoon and evening session for Blake Society Members to try printing in the infernal manner. This is your LAST CHANCE to nab a place with Blake scholar and master printer, Michael Phillips. See below for more details and booking link...
MEMBERS ONLY - Blake Printmaking Workshop on Tuesday 15 July, 14:00-16:30, or 18:00-20:30, at Morley College, £85. A rare chance to take part in a hands-on workshop with renowned Blake scholar and master printmaker, Michael Phillips. Log in for info and booking at blakesociety.org/product/prin...
Blake Printmaking Workshop - The Blake Society
Hands-on printmaking workshop with renowned Blake scholar and master printmaker, Michael Phillips.
blakesociety.org
June 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM
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When he was 8 or 9 young William Blake saw a tree filled with angels on Peckham Rye.

This weekend I’ll be selling a print of this angelic encounter, and the 1st issue of my Blake comic, just up the road at our Open Studios, Bussey Building, Copeland Park, Sat & Sun 28-29 June, 11 - 5. Come say hi!
June 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
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Because it's how I feel
@blakesociety.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
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Last few tickets for this rare chance to learn about Blake's printing techniques in a hands-on session with Michael Phillips. Follow the link below to log in and book your place...
MEMBERS ONLY - Blake Printmaking Workshop on Tuesday 15 July, 14:00-16:30, or 18:00-20:30, at Morley College, £85. A rare chance to take part in a hands-on workshop with renowned Blake scholar and master printmaker, Michael Phillips. Log in for info and booking at blakesociety.org/product/prin...
Blake Printmaking Workshop - The Blake Society
Hands-on printmaking workshop with renowned Blake scholar and master printmaker, Michael Phillips.
blakesociety.org
June 9, 2025 at 9:35 AM