Karl Bell
@karlbell.bsky.social
Historian. Author. Associate Prof of Cultural History @uophistory.bsky.social C19th fantastical, supernatural folklore, Gothic cities & seas. Co-director of port.ac.uk/portcities The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic (Reaktion) out now.
The Perilous Deep is available as an audiobook from today!
If you prefer your books via your ears than your eyes, head over to www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Peril...
If you prefer your books via your ears than your eyes, head over to www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Peril...
February 17, 2026 at 11:55 AM
The Perilous Deep is available as an audiobook from today!
If you prefer your books via your ears than your eyes, head over to www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Peril...
If you prefer your books via your ears than your eyes, head over to www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Peril...
Had a really enjoyable conversation about the supernatural history of the Atlantic with Stephen Coates on the Bureau of Lost Culture podcast - bureauoflostculture.podbean.com/e/a-supernat...
The podcast is available on all the usual platforms - linktr.ee/BureauOfLost...
The podcast is available on all the usual platforms - linktr.ee/BureauOfLost...
A Supernatural History of the Atlantic | Bureau of Lost Culture
The sea, its myths, and the supernatural is the theme of this special New Year edition of the Bureau when we leave behind our usual waters to set sail into the past of a very unusual counterculture.
...
bureauoflostculture.podbean.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Had a really enjoyable conversation about the supernatural history of the Atlantic with Stephen Coates on the Bureau of Lost Culture podcast - bureauoflostculture.podbean.com/e/a-supernat...
The podcast is available on all the usual platforms - linktr.ee/BureauOfLost...
The podcast is available on all the usual platforms - linktr.ee/BureauOfLost...
Many thanks for the kind words, Mike.
ONE WEEK'S TIME!
Come & hear the ever great @karlbell.bsky.social - always fascinating material in his talks:
Tidal Terrors: Folklore & Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
3 Feb 2026, 5.30pm
University of Portsmouth
Free - tickets here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
Come & hear the ever great @karlbell.bsky.social - always fascinating material in his talks:
Tidal Terrors: Folklore & Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
3 Feb 2026, 5.30pm
University of Portsmouth
Free - tickets here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
Public lecture: The real life lessons from supernatural stories of the sea.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Many thanks for the kind words, Mike.
Reposted by Karl Bell
The first Maritime Matters of 2026 is out! Featuring @karlbell.bsky.social's Tidal Terrors talk, Portsmouth's bid to be UK City of Culture, Coastal Studies & Society and more. Email pcmc@port.ac.uk to sign up centreforportcitiesandmaritimecultures.cmail20.com/t/y-e-qulluh... @uophistory.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 9:36 AM
The first Maritime Matters of 2026 is out! Featuring @karlbell.bsky.social's Tidal Terrors talk, Portsmouth's bid to be UK City of Culture, Coastal Studies & Society and more. Email pcmc@port.ac.uk to sign up centreforportcitiesandmaritimecultures.cmail20.com/t/y-e-qulluh... @uophistory.bsky.social
If you prefer to access your podcasts from streaming platforms, the interview is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dgE...
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dgE...
Ghosts, gods & sea monsters: a supernatural history of the Atlantic
Podcast Episode · History Extra podcast · 12/12/2025 · 30m
podcasts.apple.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:56 PM
If you prefer to access your podcasts from streaming platforms, the interview is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dgE...
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6dgE...
My @historyextra.bsky.social podcast interview, 'Ghosts, gods & sea monsters: a supernatural history of the Atlantic', is live @ www.historyextra.com/membership/s... Many thanks for the opportunity to talk about #maritime #folklore and my new book, The Perilous Deep @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
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Ghosts, gods & sea monsters: a supernatural history of the Atlantic
Karl Bell dives into the eerie and enchanting folklore of the Atlantic Ocean, revealing how supernatural stories helped sailors navigate a perilous world
www.historyextra.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM
My @historyextra.bsky.social podcast interview, 'Ghosts, gods & sea monsters: a supernatural history of the Atlantic', is live @ www.historyextra.com/membership/s... Many thanks for the opportunity to talk about #maritime #folklore and my new book, The Perilous Deep @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
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Reposted by Karl Bell
Next week: join us for our first online talk of 2026: Simon Young, 'The Mystery of Changelings: Origins, Geography and Nature'. Tuesday 13 January, 19:00-20:30 GMT on Zoom. Tickets £6.00 (£4 for members with promo code) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-myster...
The Mystery of Changelings: Origins, Geography and Nature
Changeling lore: what were changelings, where were they found, how old is the belief, and why were children and sometimes adults swapped?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Next week: join us for our first online talk of 2026: Simon Young, 'The Mystery of Changelings: Origins, Geography and Nature'. Tuesday 13 January, 19:00-20:30 GMT on Zoom. Tickets £6.00 (£4 for members with promo code) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-myster...
Reposted by Karl Bell
It's very exciting to say that Coastal Gothic, 1719–2020 has just been published in @universitypress.cambridge.org's Elements in the Gothic series – and it's currently open access and *free* to download until the end of December!
doi.org/10.1017/9781...
doi.org/10.1017/9781...
Coastal Gothic, 1719–2020
Cambridge Core - English Literature: General Interest - Coastal Gothic, 1719–2020
doi.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
It's very exciting to say that Coastal Gothic, 1719–2020 has just been published in @universitypress.cambridge.org's Elements in the Gothic series – and it's currently open access and *free* to download until the end of December!
doi.org/10.1017/9781...
doi.org/10.1017/9781...
Reposted by Karl Bell
Hoy en nuestro pódcast de @ivoox.bsky.social invocamos la obra de Karl Bell dedicada a uno de los mas célebres fantasmas de Londres, "Pánico Victoriano, La Leyenda de Spring Heeled Jack". Publicada por Reediciones Anómalas con el arte exclusivo del maestro @javiertprado.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Hoy en nuestro pódcast de @ivoox.bsky.social invocamos la obra de Karl Bell dedicada a uno de los mas célebres fantasmas de Londres, "Pánico Victoriano, La Leyenda de Spring Heeled Jack". Publicada por Reediciones Anómalas con el arte exclusivo del maestro @javiertprado.bsky.social
Reposted by Karl Bell
Join us for @karlbell.bsky.social's free public talk, entitled Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea, on 3rd February 2026 at Portsmouth University.
Join me for 'Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea', a public talk @ Portsmouth University on 3rd February (5.30-7 pm). It is free, but you need to book a place @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
Public lecture: The real life lessons from supernatural stories of the sea.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Join us for @karlbell.bsky.social's free public talk, entitled Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea, on 3rd February 2026 at Portsmouth University.
Reposted by Karl Bell
Great to be working on the new @uophistory.bsky.social 2nd year module 'Age of Crisis'!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Great to be working on the new @uophistory.bsky.social 2nd year module 'Age of Crisis'!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
Many thanks, Jack - that's very much appreciated!
"Uncanny folklore linking seafarers across time."
Today's book pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to author @karlbell.bsky.social & @reaktionbooks.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Today's book pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to author @karlbell.bsky.social & @reaktionbooks.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
October 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Many thanks, Jack - that's very much appreciated!
Nice to see my Supernatural Cities book included in @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social's blog on 6 books to read on myth, legend and the supernatural - boydellandbrewer.com/blog/medieva... It was a pleasure to edit this rich compendium of essays about urban #folklore and #hauntings in the modern world.
6 Books to Read on: Myths, Legends and the Supernatural
From the legend of Robin Hood to Scotland's ghostly reputation, take a look at these 6 books that explore the supernatural side of history.
boydellandbrewer.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Nice to see my Supernatural Cities book included in @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social's blog on 6 books to read on myth, legend and the supernatural - boydellandbrewer.com/blog/medieva... It was a pleasure to edit this rich compendium of essays about urban #folklore and #hauntings in the modern world.
Reposted by Karl Bell
Finished reading The Perilous Deep by @karlbell.bsky.social
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
October 28, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Finished reading The Perilous Deep by @karlbell.bsky.social
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
Join me for 'Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea', a public talk @ Portsmouth University on 3rd February (5.30-7 pm). It is free, but you need to book a place @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
Public lecture: The real life lessons from supernatural stories of the sea.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Join me for 'Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea', a public talk @ Portsmouth University on 3rd February (5.30-7 pm). It is free, but you need to book a place @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Ghosts and the Gothic (MUP) is out now - manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526181916/ Very pleased to have my chapter on nautical hauntings included as part of this exciting edited collection. Many thanks to @ruthheholt.bsky.social and @joparsons.bsky.social
Manchester University Press - Ghosts and the Gothic
Ghosts and the Gothic - Browse and buy the eBook edition of Ghosts and the Gothic by Ruth Heholt
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Ghosts and the Gothic (MUP) is out now - manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526181916/ Very pleased to have my chapter on nautical hauntings included as part of this exciting edited collection. Many thanks to @ruthheholt.bsky.social and @joparsons.bsky.social
Delighted to be involved in developing future collaborations between Royal Museums Greenwich, and @uopmaritime.bsky.social - www.port.ac.uk/news-events-... Really enjoyed the research workshop at the National Maritime Museum last week. #maritimehistory #research #heritage
University of Portsmouth joins forces with Royal Museums Greenwich
A new collaboration has been formed between Portsmouth’s Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures and Royal Museums Greenwich with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
www.port.ac.uk
September 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Delighted to be involved in developing future collaborations between Royal Museums Greenwich, and @uopmaritime.bsky.social - www.port.ac.uk/news-events-... Really enjoyed the research workshop at the National Maritime Museum last week. #maritimehistory #research #heritage
Reposted by Karl Bell
An extensive account of an otherworldly ocean. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/t... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social #booksky
The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic | Washington Independent Review of Books
The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
An extensive account of an otherworldly ocean. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/t... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social #booksky
Reposted by Karl Bell
Entering perhaps the best season in which to read Karl Bell's superbly entertaining 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic' (which I had the pleasure of editing for
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
September 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Entering perhaps the best season in which to read Karl Bell's superbly entertaining 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic' (which I had the pleasure of editing for
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
Great to see 'When Summer Meant Sea Serpents' published in September's issue of @historytoday.com - www.historytoday.com/archive/hist... For more on the history of sea serpents see my new book, The Perilous Deep reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
When Summer Meant Sea Serpents
www.historytoday.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Great to see 'When Summer Meant Sea Serpents' published in September's issue of @historytoday.com - www.historytoday.com/archive/hist... For more on the history of sea serpents see my new book, The Perilous Deep reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
My recent @uophistory.bsky.social blog offers some reflections on the aims and challenges of writing The Perilous Deep - history.port.ac.uk?p=3500 @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #maritimehistory #folklore
Charting The Perilous Deep
Below, our own Karl Bell, Associate Professor in Cultural and Social History, writes about his exciting new book on the supernatural legends associated with the seafarers of the Atlantic Ocean. Ka…
history.port.ac.uk
August 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
My recent @uophistory.bsky.social blog offers some reflections on the aims and challenges of writing The Perilous Deep - history.port.ac.uk?p=3500 @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #maritimehistory #folklore
Reposted by Karl Bell
Podcast Wednesday! Episode 137 - Karl Bell - The Perilous Deep @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Writing #Books #Paranormal #Ghosts #Monsters
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
Episode 137 - Karl Bell - The Perilous Deep
Podcast Episode · Some Other Sphere · 30/07/2025 · 1h 3m
podcasts.apple.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Podcast Wednesday! Episode 137 - Karl Bell - The Perilous Deep @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Writing #Books #Paranormal #Ghosts #Monsters
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
Many thanks for the opportunity to talk about The Perilous Deep on the @uopmaritime.bsky.social #podcast.
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
Maritime folklore, the supernatural and more. Listen to @karlbell.bsky.social talk about his new book The Perilous Deep (@reaktionbooks.bsky.social) in the latest episode of @uopmaritime.bsky.social's podcast series
www.port.ac.uk/podcasts/por... . Also learn about courses @uophistory.bsky.social.
www.port.ac.uk/podcasts/por... . Also learn about courses @uophistory.bsky.social.
Dr Karl Bell discusses The Perilous Deep - his new book about the supernatural history of the Atlantic
www.port.ac.uk
July 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Many thanks for the opportunity to talk about The Perilous Deep on the @uopmaritime.bsky.social #podcast.
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
Reposted by Karl Bell
Fascinating blog post by @karlbell.bsky.social for @theconversationuk.bsky.social about his book The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic.
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
July 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Fascinating blog post by @karlbell.bsky.social for @theconversationuk.bsky.social about his book The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic.
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
Reposted by Karl Bell
Update from Sphere HQ: Episode 137 is out next week! My guest is author and historian Karl Bell, who joined me to talk about his new book 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic'. Available Wednesday! @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Paranormal
July 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Update from Sphere HQ: Episode 137 is out next week! My guest is author and historian Karl Bell, who joined me to talk about his new book 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic'. Available Wednesday! @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Paranormal