Dr Helen Williams
@drwilliams.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Literature & UKRI Future Leaders Fellow
📚 Author of Laurence Sterne & the C18 Book (CUP, 2021)
📚 Co-editor of John Cleland’s Letters (CUP, 2024)
📚 Working on a global history of women in book production
📚 Author of Laurence Sterne & the C18 Book (CUP, 2021)
📚 Co-editor of John Cleland’s Letters (CUP, 2024)
📚 Working on a global history of women in book production
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
For decades, a cacophony of technological prophets has repeatedly proclaimed the impending end of the paper era. But here we still are, a paper-using humankind.
@agnesgehbald.bsky.social and me wrote an article about paper in global book cultures. #paperhistory is #bookhistory, #globalhistory
1/3
@agnesgehbald.bsky.social and me wrote an article about paper in global book cultures. #paperhistory is #bookhistory, #globalhistory
1/3
December 18, 2025 at 6:45 AM
For decades, a cacophony of technological prophets has repeatedly proclaimed the impending end of the paper era. But here we still are, a paper-using humankind.
@agnesgehbald.bsky.social and me wrote an article about paper in global book cultures. #paperhistory is #bookhistory, #globalhistory
1/3
@agnesgehbald.bsky.social and me wrote an article about paper in global book cultures. #paperhistory is #bookhistory, #globalhistory
1/3
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
We have a copy of Richard Ardagh's beautiful *Type Archived* book to review for the *Journal of the Printing Historical Society*. Who's gonna snap it up? I'm sore tempted myself...
vol.co/collections/...
vol.co/collections/...
Type Archived
A publishing platform for books on visual culture
vol.co
December 17, 2025 at 9:46 AM
We have a copy of Richard Ardagh's beautiful *Type Archived* book to review for the *Journal of the Printing Historical Society*. Who's gonna snap it up? I'm sore tempted myself...
vol.co/collections/...
vol.co/collections/...
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Recently, we at @norskfolkemuseum.bsky.social had a visit from @ostfoldmuseene.bsky.social to look at the dragon we are keeping in our collection. Yes, we have A REAL DRAGON BONE IN OUR COLLECTION! #museumlife
December 18, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Recently, we at @norskfolkemuseum.bsky.social had a visit from @ostfoldmuseene.bsky.social to look at the dragon we are keeping in our collection. Yes, we have A REAL DRAGON BONE IN OUR COLLECTION! #museumlife
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Brought to mind this wonderful book (and talk) from Anthony Grafton (@scaliger.bsky.social) as well; one for #bookhistory folks and #skystorians: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUC...
December 18, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Brought to mind this wonderful book (and talk) from Anthony Grafton (@scaliger.bsky.social) as well; one for #bookhistory folks and #skystorians: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUC...
We have a copy of Richard Ardagh's beautiful *Type Archived* book to review for the *Journal of the Printing Historical Society*. Who's gonna snap it up? I'm sore tempted myself...
vol.co/collections/...
vol.co/collections/...
Type Archived
A publishing platform for books on visual culture
vol.co
December 17, 2025 at 9:46 AM
We have a copy of Richard Ardagh's beautiful *Type Archived* book to review for the *Journal of the Printing Historical Society*. Who's gonna snap it up? I'm sore tempted myself...
vol.co/collections/...
vol.co/collections/...
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
We have two vacancies on the Council of the *British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies*:
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Vacancies - BSECS
Vacancies on the Council This page gives details of any current vacancies on the BSECS Council. Vacancies are normally advertised in the autumn of the year and appointments are made or elections held ...
www.bsecs.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
We have two vacancies on the Council of the *British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies*:
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Call for Objects: Pandemic Artefacts
We would like to feature items acquired by members of the public, across the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their personal stories.
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
We would like to feature items acquired by members of the public, across the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their personal stories.
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
December 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Call for Objects: Pandemic Artefacts
We would like to feature items acquired by members of the public, across the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their personal stories.
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
We would like to feature items acquired by members of the public, across the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their personal stories.
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
I wrote about the 1728 arrest of Elizabeth Nutt and her accomplices for a libellous issue of *Mist's Journal*. The list of prisoners tells us
📘 even housekeepers, servants, and maids were suspected
📗 female networks were key to the opposition press
www.vmop.org.uk/blog/elizabe...
#bookhistory
📘 even housekeepers, servants, and maids were suspected
📗 female networks were key to the opposition press
www.vmop.org.uk/blog/elizabe...
#bookhistory
Elizabeth Nutt’s Network: Prisoners of the Persian Libel — Virtual Museum of Printing
Helen Williams, Northumbria University Elizabeth Nutt née Carr (1666?-1746) ran one of the most important wholesale businesses of the early eighteenth-century book trade. For three decades, her…
www.vmop.org.uk
December 13, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I wrote about the 1728 arrest of Elizabeth Nutt and her accomplices for a libellous issue of *Mist's Journal*. The list of prisoners tells us
📘 even housekeepers, servants, and maids were suspected
📗 female networks were key to the opposition press
www.vmop.org.uk/blog/elizabe...
#bookhistory
📘 even housekeepers, servants, and maids were suspected
📗 female networks were key to the opposition press
www.vmop.org.uk/blog/elizabe...
#bookhistory
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
The theme is “periphery and identity” and will be held June 30 and July 1st 2026 — which I note runs up against Playful Learning Association’s meeting (on “adult learning”) 1-3 July.
Excited to announce that we are hosting the BDiGRA (British Digital Games Research Association) 2026 Conference at the University of South Wales.
Conference Announcement and Call For Papers below
bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
Conference Announcement and Call For Papers below
bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
BDiGRA 2026 – University of South Wales, Cardiff – Conference Announcement and Call For Papers – British DiGRA
bdigra.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The theme is “periphery and identity” and will be held June 30 and July 1st 2026 — which I note runs up against Playful Learning Association’s meeting (on “adult learning”) 1-3 July.
We have two vacancies on the Council of the *British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies*:
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Vacancies - BSECS
Vacancies on the Council This page gives details of any current vacancies on the BSECS Council. Vacancies are normally advertised in the autumn of the year and appointments are made or elections held ...
www.bsecs.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
We have two vacancies on the Council of the *British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies*:
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
1. Postgraduate Representative
2. Communications Officer
Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life!
More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
*The Journal of the Printing Historical Society* is looking for book reviewers! Latest offering linked here but let us know if you'd like to be approached for others, or if you have a book to be reviewed.
www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/...
#bookreviews
www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/...
#bookreviews
www.oakknoll.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
*The Journal of the Printing Historical Society* is looking for book reviewers! Latest offering linked here but let us know if you'd like to be approached for others, or if you have a book to be reviewed.
www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/...
#bookreviews
www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/...
#bookreviews
December 4, 2025 at 9:48 AM
*The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice* is out now, featuring our essay on pandemic arts at Shandy Hall and Abbotsford:
'Creative Programming in the Literary Heritage Sector amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic'.
www.routledge.com/The-Routledg...
#Pandemic #LiteraryHeritage #Museums
'Creative Programming in the Literary Heritage Sector amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic'.
www.routledge.com/The-Routledg...
#Pandemic #LiteraryHeritage #Museums
The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice
The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice explores the role of creativity as a tool for critical engagement with heritage. It provides a comprehensive study of ways in which heritage…
www.routledge.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
*The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice* is out now, featuring our essay on pandemic arts at Shandy Hall and Abbotsford:
'Creative Programming in the Literary Heritage Sector amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic'.
www.routledge.com/The-Routledg...
#Pandemic #LiteraryHeritage #Museums
'Creative Programming in the Literary Heritage Sector amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic'.
www.routledge.com/The-Routledg...
#Pandemic #LiteraryHeritage #Museums
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Only a few days until registration closes: Nov 30th #18c #BSECS2026 Make sure you get registered. When it is closed, it is closed!
DON'T FORGET to register for #BSECS2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026.
Early bird rates apply until tomorrow (Saturday 15 November 2025)
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Early bird rates apply until tomorrow (Saturday 15 November 2025)
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
BSECS Conference Registration
Registration for the BSECS Annual Conference is now open. Please use the form below to register for the conference.
www.bsecs.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Only a few days until registration closes: Nov 30th #18c #BSECS2026 Make sure you get registered. When it is closed, it is closed!
Bluestockings in the Shandean 😍
Most Read | The Shandean ⬇️
'Sarah Scott’s and Lady Barbara Montagu’s Letters to George Aust' by Philip Trotter
Read it in the new issue online: bit.ly/Trotter35
@shandyhall.bsky.social @lsternetrust.bsky.social @antiquaries.bsky.social @bairishstudies.bsky.social @drwilliams.bsky.social
'Sarah Scott’s and Lady Barbara Montagu’s Letters to George Aust' by Philip Trotter
Read it in the new issue online: bit.ly/Trotter35
@shandyhall.bsky.social @lsternetrust.bsky.social @antiquaries.bsky.social @bairishstudies.bsky.social @drwilliams.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Bluestockings in the Shandean 😍
New issue of The Shandean journal! Featuring articles on Sterne, Fielding, and an edition of Sarah Scott's correspondence. Many thanks to the editorial board, Drs Newbould, Dale, Lipski & Hobday.
@livunipress.bsky.social @northumbriauni.bsky.social
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/10.3828/...
@livunipress.bsky.social @northumbriauni.bsky.social
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/10.3828/...
Contents | The Shandean 35,
Forty-three previously unpublished letters from the novelist Sarah Scott and Lady Barbara Montagu to George Aust, a civil servant who benefited from their generosity and mentorship, are introduced, transcribed, and annotated. The letters expand Scott’s ...
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
New issue of The Shandean journal! Featuring articles on Sterne, Fielding, and an edition of Sarah Scott's correspondence. Many thanks to the editorial board, Drs Newbould, Dale, Lipski & Hobday.
@livunipress.bsky.social @northumbriauni.bsky.social
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/10.3828/...
@livunipress.bsky.social @northumbriauni.bsky.social
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/10.3828/...
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
The (partial) return of Bodleian Ballads - bibsoc.org.uk/councils-cho...
Council’s Choice for November 2025 - Bibliographical Society
The (Partial) Return of the Bodleian Broadside Ballads Something about broadside ballads has recommended them as subjects for digital resources. As popular, ephemeral publications they have always pro...
bibsoc.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The (partial) return of Bodleian Ballads - bibsoc.org.uk/councils-cho...
Women and the Household in the Early Modern Book Trades - a very special conference in the most amazing printing/historic house museum, The Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp ❤️
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Women and the Household in the Early Modern Book Trades - a very special conference in the most amazing printing/historic house museum, The Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp ❤️
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
For those visiting Antwerp (esp. those of you attending for the Women&Household in Book Trade conference next week) do not forget to go and visit this library gem as well! #bookhistory
An enthusiastic article about the Hendrik Conscience Library in the Italian arts blog ArtLife: artslife.com/2025/10/26/h...
Hendrik Conscience. Un tuffo in una delle biblioteche più affascinanti del mondo - ArtsLife
Fondata nel 1481 grazie alla donazione di 41 libri, la biblioteca Hendrik Conscience di Anversa è una delle più antiche del Belgio
artslife.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:10 AM
For those visiting Antwerp (esp. those of you attending for the Women&Household in Book Trade conference next week) do not forget to go and visit this library gem as well! #bookhistory
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
What a day! Had a great time hearing all these specialists talk about the self-evident involvement of women in the book production. Now time for dinner at the most beautiful location at the Samenloop restaurant housed in the former Maiden’s House of Antwerp!
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What a day! Had a great time hearing all these specialists talk about the self-evident involvement of women in the book production. Now time for dinner at the most beautiful location at the Samenloop restaurant housed in the former Maiden’s House of Antwerp!
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
‘Women’s traces of involvement in the #earlymodern book trade are there in the archives, just sitting there waiting to be reconnected with research.’
- Opening keynote lecture of Susan Broomhall perfectly capturing the essence of our conference Women & The Household in the Early Modern Book Trade!
- Opening keynote lecture of Susan Broomhall perfectly capturing the essence of our conference Women & The Household in the Early Modern Book Trade!
November 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
‘Women’s traces of involvement in the #earlymodern book trade are there in the archives, just sitting there waiting to be reconnected with research.’
- Opening keynote lecture of Susan Broomhall perfectly capturing the essence of our conference Women & The Household in the Early Modern Book Trade!
- Opening keynote lecture of Susan Broomhall perfectly capturing the essence of our conference Women & The Household in the Early Modern Book Trade!
Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Hello #academicsky! I'm sharing a cfp for an edited collection on "Naming & Classifying," pulled together by me, Kristin Girten, & @aaronrhanlon.com . We'd love to see your work! Please also circulate to anyone you think might be interested. Deadline 10/31. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Naming and Classifying cfp final
CFP: Naming and Classifying in the Long Eighteenth Century Whereas “the nineteenth century can be seen as the century of counting and measuring,” the eighteenth century can be seen as the century of ...
docs.google.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Hello #academicsky! I'm sharing a cfp for an edited collection on "Naming & Classifying," pulled together by me, Kristin Girten, & @aaronrhanlon.com . We'd love to see your work! Please also circulate to anyone you think might be interested. Deadline 10/31. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Big news! Still pinching myself 📚
📣Two talented Northumbria researchers have today been awarded a share of £120 million from @ukri.org's flagship Future Leaders Fellowship fund to help advance their work in space physics and book history.
🎉Congratulations to Dr @charlottestalks.bsky.social
and Dr @drwilliams.bsky.social
🎉Congratulations to Dr @charlottestalks.bsky.social
and Dr @drwilliams.bsky.social
Northumbria researchers announced as winners of Future Leaders Fellowships
Two talented researchers from Northumbria University have been awarded a share of £120 million from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) flagship Future Leaders Fellowship fund to help advance their wo...
www.northumbria.ac.uk
September 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Big news! Still pinching myself 📚
Following on from our pilot event, the Arvon Foundation have launched another writing masterclass for academics creating public-facing material.
16th September 7-9pm, with author and climate scientist Peter Stott MBE, registration £40/£20 concessions.
www.arvon.org/writing-cour...
16th September 7-9pm, with author and climate scientist Peter Stott MBE, registration £40/£20 concessions.
www.arvon.org/writing-cour...
Masterclass: from Academic to General Non-Fiction | Writing that connects | Arvon
If you have an academic background, how do you find a place for creativity in your writing? Academics often capture fascinating stories in their research and archival work, but they don’t necessarily ...
www.arvon.org
September 8, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Following on from our pilot event, the Arvon Foundation have launched another writing masterclass for academics creating public-facing material.
16th September 7-9pm, with author and climate scientist Peter Stott MBE, registration £40/£20 concessions.
www.arvon.org/writing-cour...
16th September 7-9pm, with author and climate scientist Peter Stott MBE, registration £40/£20 concessions.
www.arvon.org/writing-cour...
There’s still time 🕰️
We are delighted to be co-hosting the Laurence Sterne Conference this year from 5th - 7th November 2025 at @sotauol.bsky.social🌍
Deadline for registration: 1st September
Deadline for proposals: 15th August
Find out more and how to register: bit.ly/SterneConference25
@lsternetrust.bsky.social
Deadline for registration: 1st September
Deadline for proposals: 15th August
Find out more and how to register: bit.ly/SterneConference25
@lsternetrust.bsky.social
July 30, 2025 at 12:19 PM
There’s still time 🕰️