Dr Sam Hirst
@romgothsam.bsky.social
Cat sitter. Gothic lit and theology. Gothic romance. Queer Gothic. Runs 'Romancing the Gothic'.
Pinned
Dr Sam Hirst
@romgothsam.bsky.social
· Jan 23
a close up of a man 's face with the word woo written below him
Alt: Nicholas Cage screaming WOO!
media.tenor.com
Job Application Update Thread 2025 - now on Bluesky!
For those who are new, I do one of these every year, to keep track of my applications.
Let's go!
For those who are new, I do one of these every year, to keep track of my applications.
Let's go!
This year is the first year I am exclusively teaching courses I designed related to my research areas and my God the difference!
The last 9 years in academia, I have taught seemingly every area but my own most of the time and it is exhausting, taking most of your energy and time.
The last 9 years in academia, I have taught seemingly every area but my own most of the time and it is exhausting, taking most of your energy and time.
The main thing I've discovered over the past few semesters is that I got way more actual research-related work done when I was allowed to teach stuff that was even vaguely, tangentially, related to my actual research. Who would have thought it, eh?
November 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
This year is the first year I am exclusively teaching courses I designed related to my research areas and my God the difference!
The last 9 years in academia, I have taught seemingly every area but my own most of the time and it is exhausting, taking most of your energy and time.
The last 9 years in academia, I have taught seemingly every area but my own most of the time and it is exhausting, taking most of your energy and time.
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Just a little reminder that you can travel the world with Romancing the Gothic!
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Romancing the Gothic World Tour
Made with Padlet
padlet.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Just a little reminder that you can travel the world with Romancing the Gothic!
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Just a little reminder that you can travel the world with Romancing the Gothic!
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Romancing the Gothic World Tour
Made with Padlet
padlet.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Just a little reminder that you can travel the world with Romancing the Gothic!
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Explore the supernatural, the Gothic, and the horrible in countries around the world with our talks map!
padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
[Public Television Voice]
This project is made possible with support from Goths like you👇🏻
This project is made possible with support from Goths like you👇🏻
If you enjoy watching talks by experts in Gothic and horror that are free to access and made internationally available... why not support the project so I can keep running it and keep paying people to participate.
www.patreon.com/c/romancingt...
www.patreon.com/c/romancingt...
Get more from Romancing the Gothic on Patreon
creating Free online classes, days of creation, books groups and
www.patreon.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:22 PM
[Public Television Voice]
This project is made possible with support from Goths like you👇🏻
This project is made possible with support from Goths like you👇🏻
🥳
Week 1 Summary
Finally, a week where I feel like I've hit or beaten some targets!
14 articles
2 novellas
1 short story
1 non-fiction
2 novels
Finally, a week where I feel like I've hit or beaten some targets!
14 articles
2 novellas
1 short story
1 non-fiction
2 novels
November 9, 2025 at 11:50 PM
🥳
If you want a sapphic focused interrogation of Jane Eyre (and Castle Rackrent) this is the one.
It's so nuanced, well-written and historically informed. A delight to read. But it will haunt you.
It's so nuanced, well-written and historically informed. A delight to read. But it will haunt you.
16) The Wife in the Attic by Rose Lerner
This book has been haunting me since I first read it (Kit's face at the door for anyone who's read it without spoilering it for the rest of you!) Such an interesting sapphic retelling of the governess story with moral quandaries and no easy answers.
This book has been haunting me since I first read it (Kit's face at the door for anyone who's read it without spoilering it for the rest of you!) Such an interesting sapphic retelling of the governess story with moral quandaries and no easy answers.
November 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
If you want a sapphic focused interrogation of Jane Eyre (and Castle Rackrent) this is the one.
It's so nuanced, well-written and historically informed. A delight to read. But it will haunt you.
It's so nuanced, well-written and historically informed. A delight to read. But it will haunt you.
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Does funding for academic podcasts and vlogs and other audio visual content not cover accessibility measures for that content?
Are there any third party disability orgs who will fund access to such access measures?
Does anyone know?
Does anyone fancy organising collaboratively on this?
Are there any third party disability orgs who will fund access to such access measures?
Does anyone know?
Does anyone fancy organising collaboratively on this?
I have been frustrated that this is frequently not one of the things that funding will cover
November 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Does funding for academic podcasts and vlogs and other audio visual content not cover accessibility measures for that content?
Are there any third party disability orgs who will fund access to such access measures?
Does anyone know?
Does anyone fancy organising collaboratively on this?
Are there any third party disability orgs who will fund access to such access measures?
Does anyone know?
Does anyone fancy organising collaboratively on this?
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
This week's Romancing the Gothic blast from the past takes us into the world of Twin Peaks where Sarah Coflan explores the show's Gothic Underworlds!
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
Twin Peaks as Underworld Exploration - Sarah Coflan
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This week's Romancing the Gothic blast from the past takes us into the world of Twin Peaks where Sarah Coflan explores the show's Gothic Underworlds!
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
This week's Romancing the Gothic blast from the past takes us into the world of Twin Peaks where Sarah Coflan explores the show's Gothic Underworlds!
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
Twin Peaks as Underworld Exploration - Sarah Coflan
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This week's Romancing the Gothic blast from the past takes us into the world of Twin Peaks where Sarah Coflan explores the show's Gothic Underworlds!
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
youtu.be/y4fSBoeMz8s
Our open online book group here at Romancing the Gothic is looking very exciting going into the end of the year!
Check out our upcoming reads and sign up for some of our author visits with Nilima Rao and KJ Charles!
romancingthegothic.com/book-group-a...
Check out our upcoming reads and sign up for some of our author visits with Nilima Rao and KJ Charles!
romancingthegothic.com/book-group-a...
Book Groups and Author Visits
Each week we have a book group on Mondays and Tuesdays. There are two slots: 10 am Tuesday and 7 pm Monday (BST) and you’re very welcome to either, wherever you are in the world and however m…
romancingthegothic.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Our open online book group here at Romancing the Gothic is looking very exciting going into the end of the year!
Check out our upcoming reads and sign up for some of our author visits with Nilima Rao and KJ Charles!
romancingthegothic.com/book-group-a...
Check out our upcoming reads and sign up for some of our author visits with Nilima Rao and KJ Charles!
romancingthegothic.com/book-group-a...
Listening to this now.
An interesting introduction to a subject that's new to me!
(You can still sign up for this evening's version)
An interesting introduction to a subject that's new to me!
(You can still sign up for this evening's version)
Do you enjoy k-dramas?
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Select tickets – Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom
Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom, Sat 8 Nov 2025 - Our series of talks is funded exclusively by donations. The talks are free to access but...
www.tickettailor.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Listening to this now.
An interesting introduction to a subject that's new to me!
(You can still sign up for this evening's version)
An interesting introduction to a subject that's new to me!
(You can still sign up for this evening's version)
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Joseph Crawford 's written an open access essay which addresses ethical issues he's considered while teaching a course about romantic fiction.
‘I'm Alright, It's Just so Horrible’: Teaching Romance Fictions, Pre‐ and Post‐#MeToo
This article discusses the author’s experiences of teaching the history of romance fiction to undergraduate students from 2013 to 2024, with a particular emphasis on changing approaches to teaching r...
compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Joseph Crawford 's written an open access essay which addresses ethical issues he's considered while teaching a course about romantic fiction.
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
A bit of a wild reading day.
It included:
Jane-Eyre inspired dinosaur erotica
A book on Romani history and culture
Articles on film and tv adaptations of Bronte novels
An article on dinosaur erotica
An article on archaeology porn
Let it never be said that I don't have range!
It included:
Jane-Eyre inspired dinosaur erotica
A book on Romani history and culture
Articles on film and tv adaptations of Bronte novels
An article on dinosaur erotica
An article on archaeology porn
Let it never be said that I don't have range!
9) Jurassic Jane Eyre - Carrie Sessarego
This is a reread ready for my class on the romance legacy of Jane Eyre. Not sure if my students are ready for a learned disquisition of dinosaur erotica but it's happening!
This is a reread ready for my class on the romance legacy of Jane Eyre. Not sure if my students are ready for a learned disquisition of dinosaur erotica but it's happening!
November 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A bit of a wild reading day.
It included:
Jane-Eyre inspired dinosaur erotica
A book on Romani history and culture
Articles on film and tv adaptations of Bronte novels
An article on dinosaur erotica
An article on archaeology porn
Let it never be said that I don't have range!
It included:
Jane-Eyre inspired dinosaur erotica
A book on Romani history and culture
Articles on film and tv adaptations of Bronte novels
An article on dinosaur erotica
An article on archaeology porn
Let it never be said that I don't have range!
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Looking for something fun to do tomorrow?
Do you enjoy k-dramas?
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Select tickets – Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom
Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom, Sat 8 Nov 2025 - Our series of talks is funded exclusively by donations. The talks are free to access but...
www.tickettailor.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Looking for something fun to do tomorrow?
If you enjoy watching talks by experts in Gothic and horror that are free to access and made internationally available... why not support the project so I can keep running it and keep paying people to participate.
www.patreon.com/c/romancingt...
www.patreon.com/c/romancingt...
Get more from Romancing the Gothic on Patreon
creating Free online classes, days of creation, books groups and
www.patreon.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
If you enjoy watching talks by experts in Gothic and horror that are free to access and made internationally available... why not support the project so I can keep running it and keep paying people to participate.
www.patreon.com/c/romancingt...
www.patreon.com/c/romancingt...
Seen as it looks like I won't have a main job for a while (and seen as I haven't been paid anything since September) if you'd like to support the work that I do through Romancing the Gothic, you can!
You can also buy courses (in case you didn't know!)
ko-fi.com/samhirst
You can also buy courses (in case you didn't know!)
ko-fi.com/samhirst
Support Sam Hirst ❤️
Support Sam Hirst
ko-fi.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Seen as it looks like I won't have a main job for a while (and seen as I haven't been paid anything since September) if you'd like to support the work that I do through Romancing the Gothic, you can!
You can also buy courses (in case you didn't know!)
ko-fi.com/samhirst
You can also buy courses (in case you didn't know!)
ko-fi.com/samhirst
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Excited to finally be able to share my book with the world!
Gothic Celebrity: Fame and Immortality from Lord Byron to Lady Gaga 💀⭐️
The book explores the relationship between celebrity culture and the Gothic in literature, media and popular culture.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gothic-ce...
Gothic Celebrity: Fame and Immortality from Lord Byron to Lady Gaga 💀⭐️
The book explores the relationship between celebrity culture and the Gothic in literature, media and popular culture.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gothic-ce...
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Excited to finally be able to share my book with the world!
Gothic Celebrity: Fame and Immortality from Lord Byron to Lady Gaga 💀⭐️
The book explores the relationship between celebrity culture and the Gothic in literature, media and popular culture.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gothic-ce...
Gothic Celebrity: Fame and Immortality from Lord Byron to Lady Gaga 💀⭐️
The book explores the relationship between celebrity culture and the Gothic in literature, media and popular culture.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gothic-ce...
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Anyone near Battle Abbey, Hastings? Join us for in November for a ghostly event: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-...
Revenants and Remains: Medieval Monasteries and their Historical Tales of the Supernatural
Join English Heritage historian Dr Michael Carter at 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield to discover why medieval monks and nuns wrote so many ghost stories. You can expect tales of tormen...
www.english-heritage.org.uk
October 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Anyone near Battle Abbey, Hastings? Join us for in November for a ghostly event: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-...
Actually the other benefit is that I immediately contacted everyone who has tried to prebook me for catsitting next year with the good news xD
As predicted I did not get this. The only uplift here among how sad and desperate I feel is that I can say I told you so to everyone who was like 'have hope!'
If there is one thing I have learned on the academic job market it is do not allow yourself to hope.
If there is one thing I have learned on the academic job market it is do not allow yourself to hope.
I have done the interview for this and am now in the awful waiting stage when you are about 99% sure they've rejected you (because they always call on the day if you get it in my experience) but there's 1% that refuses to give up. So I am still actively tense, feeling sick, and in pain. Yay.
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Actually the other benefit is that I immediately contacted everyone who has tried to prebook me for catsitting next year with the good news xD
As predicted I did not get this. The only uplift here among how sad and desperate I feel is that I can say I told you so to everyone who was like 'have hope!'
If there is one thing I have learned on the academic job market it is do not allow yourself to hope.
If there is one thing I have learned on the academic job market it is do not allow yourself to hope.
I have done the interview for this and am now in the awful waiting stage when you are about 99% sure they've rejected you (because they always call on the day if you get it in my experience) but there's 1% that refuses to give up. So I am still actively tense, feeling sick, and in pain. Yay.
Job 21
It's been awhile since my last update but...
A JOB INTERVIEW!
Fingers crossed for this one, friends! It's a great opportunity and I'm legitimately excited to be applying.
It's been awhile since my last update but...
A JOB INTERVIEW!
Fingers crossed for this one, friends! It's a great opportunity and I'm legitimately excited to be applying.
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 AM
As predicted I did not get this. The only uplift here among how sad and desperate I feel is that I can say I told you so to everyone who was like 'have hope!'
If there is one thing I have learned on the academic job market it is do not allow yourself to hope.
If there is one thing I have learned on the academic job market it is do not allow yourself to hope.
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Do you enjoy k-dramas?
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Select tickets – Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom
Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom, Sat 8 Nov 2025 - Our series of talks is funded exclusively by donations. The talks are free to access but...
www.tickettailor.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Do you enjoy k-dramas?
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy k-dramas?
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Select tickets – Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom
Women from Nightmares: Vulnerability and Powerful Women in K-dramas with Soumili Hazra – Zoom, Sat 8 Nov 2025 - Our series of talks is funded exclusively by donations. The talks are free to access but...
www.tickettailor.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Do you enjoy k-dramas?
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
Do you enjoy the Gothic?
Do you enjoy powerful supernatural women?
Do we have the talk for you! This Saturday at 10am and 4pm British time. Online and free to access!
10 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...
4 - www.tickettailor.com/events/roman...