Derek Johnston
LightNews LightNews
banner
drdjohnston.bsky.social
Derek Johnston
@drdjohnston.bsky.social
1K followers 780 following 240 posts
Media lecturer: UK TV history, telefantasy, historical dramas. At Queen’s University Belfast.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
drdjohnston.bsky.social
Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · Mar 14
And the cover for Nigel Kneale and Horror is now up on the @livunipress.bsky.social website! www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10.... @bronteschiltz.bsky.social @dianearodgers.bsky.social @davidcottis.bsky.social @mrgeetsromo.bsky.social
Nigel Kneale and Horror | Home
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
I've just added a few more talks to the Romancing the Gothic world map. If you'd like to explore horror, the Gothic, the supernatural, folklore and more in talks with experts from around the world... this is the resource for you!

padlet.com/hollyhirst84...
Romancing the Gothic World Tour
Made with Padlet
padlet.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
If you missed this week's Romancing the Gothic talk, you can catch it here.

It was an absolutely fantastic exploration. Highly recommended.

youtu.be/bgmV4Sz1AC8
‘Thakumar Jhuli’ – The Ghost Stories of Bengali Folklore with Arya Ray
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
kierlajanisse.bsky.social
Udo took a chance on my rinky-dink festival in Vancouver back in 2000 - he went on TV interviews with me, carried 35mm film prints up stairs, went to get me coffee and even live-dubbed Giancarlo Giannini's voice when BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA showed up without subs. RIP Udo, you were a star 🌟
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
This weekend's Romancing the Gothic Blast from the Past is Dr Tim Jones talking about the

Non-fiction Gothic: Vampires and Ghosts in the 1960s/70s

Dive in!

youtu.be/yiV7_E2Bgyw
The Non-Fiction Gothic: Ghosts and Vampires in the 60s and 70s with Dr Tim Jones
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
stevendeknight.bsky.social
The gods bless us! Here's the first round of where you can watch Spartacus: House of Ashur outside of the U.S. If you don't see your country on the list, don't panic! It will be available in more territories. Just waiting for the okay to share! #Spartacus
November 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
kierlajanisse.bsky.social
One of two @severinfilms.bsky.social Black Friday titles I produced, featuring a new interview with author Michael Moorcock, the original UK hardcover book art by Mal Dean as a limited edition slipcase, and new art by Jacob Rolfe (illustrator and TRAILER PARK BOYS star) for the wrap!
November 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
coffinboffin.bsky.social
WIDDERSHINS means moving counter clockwise; this inversion of the natural order was associated with the devil and witchcraft. In this image Witches delight in flying widdershins around North Berwick church with their broomsticks #FolkloreSunday
November 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
drdjohnston.bsky.social
Finally got around to watching the fabulous archive programme “South Asian Music at the BBC” marking “60 years of Asian broadcasting at the BBC”. But apparently not the Asian broadcasting before that, including “Asian Club” from 1953 on. Not to mention radio programmes in war and colonial contexts.
November 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Made my day to read this great post and see this!
Similarly, a new wave of game developers, usually from much more diverse backgrounds, give voice to many scholars from archaeology, anthropology and history to express their concerns, artistic visions and experiences through game development. Such is the case of Holly Nielsen, historian and narrative designer, whose blog posts (like this one) regarding the development of Amberspire (a fantasy city builder) discuss implementing perspectives of macro and micro history and their entangled relationship as a tool for both narrative in terms of overall experience and a subtle way of introducing these concepts to a non-scholar audience.
November 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
nunkie.bsky.social
The Ghost Story for Christmas Eve this year is M R James's "An Episode of Cathedral History".
It'll be livestreamed at 7pm (UK) but available to watch anywhere, anytime after that. Simply register and pay-what-you-can here
christmascathedralghosts.eventbrite.co.uk

art by Paul Lowe
November 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social
I'm not going back to Substack. I will continue to post my newsletters from Ghost. But I did have to get back in there, just to post this and let people who thought I'd vanished know about this utter nightmare: substack.com/home/post/p-...
An Explanation (Which I Would Be Very Grateful If You Took The Time To Read)
What follows is a minor modern horror story.
substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
lizbethmyles.bsky.social
Happy Doctor Who day! To celebrate here is the greatest of Doctor Who images: Verity Lambert using a Mechanoid as a lighter.
The most iconic of all Doctor Who pics: Verity Lambert, the show's first producer, uses the flamethrower of the robotic baddies, the Mechanoids, to light her cigarette.
November 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
spectacularoptical.bsky.social
CHICAGO! Here's a chance to see my short film THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM on the big screen, in support of the gorgeous, snowy sequel THE CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE. What an inspired pairing!
Sunday Dec 7th at 6:45pm at the historic @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
ruemorguemag.bsky.social
Trailer and premiere date revealed for Kier-La Janisse’s Shudder chiller “THE HAUNTED SEASON: THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM” https://ow.ly/3vzw50XvRhn
Trailer and premiere date revealed for Kier-La Janisse’s Shudder chiller “THE HAUNTED SEASON: THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM” - Rue Morgue
Christmas fear comes a little early to the streamer.
ow.ly
November 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
slipperyjack.bsky.social
Also this. My dad carved this. Some kind of jumbo emperor shepherd phantom or something...
👁️ wellswoodcarving.bigcartel.com
Wood carved sheet ghost holding a shepherd's crook
November 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
aramsinn.bsky.social
This awesome little doggie is older than The Odyssey and it looks like it just rolled out of a Chinese factory & onto the shelves of 5 Below
alisonfisk.bsky.social Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 3d
A very good boy! 🐾🐕😍

An amazing c. 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian dog carved from ivory. This leaping dog opens and closes its mouth as if barking by using a lever below its chest.

The Met 📷 by me

#Archaeology
My photo shows a three quarter profile of an ancient Egyptian figurine of a leaping dog facing left. Carved from ivory, now a warm caramel brown colour with glossy surface. The dogs eyes are outlined in black, the ears are floppy, the mouth is slightly ajar (the inside of the mouth is painted red - not sen in my photo). The front and back legs are outstretched as if running at full speed. A lever under the dog’s chest opens and closes the mouth so that the dog looks as if it’s barking. Dimensions: L 18.2 cm × H 6.1 cm × W 3.6 cm. Dated to Late Dynasty I8, I400-I350 BC, reign of Amenhotep III who was Tutankhamun’s grandfather. The dog is mounted on a thin metal rod in a display case. In the background in the same display case is a ‘galloping’ brown horse, which is the handle of an ancient Egyptian fly whisk or light whip.
November 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
mediareformuk.bsky.social
If Lord Rothermere's DMG Media takes control of the Telegraph, he would own nearly 50% of the UK's national newspaper industry - and a huge share of all online news reach.

Britain's media is rapidly being Orbanised: government must act to protect media plurality www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Daily Mail owner strikes £500m deal to buy Telegraph titles
Acquisition likely to trigger in-depth investigation by regulator after agreement between DMGT and Redbird IMI
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
Looking for talks on Frankenstein and Medical History from an expert in the field? We've got you covered!
romgothsam.bsky.social Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 4d
We don't have any queer Frankensteins (though we have upcoming talks!) but wendonhave medical history!
youtu.be/o7Dvip3yexM?...
Cat Irving - Frankenstein and Medical Science
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
Interested in exploring Malaysian horror? We've got three talks for you on different films, periods and types of horror!
November 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
Wants some talks on Haunted Houses? We've got more haunted houses than you can shake a stick at - check out this thread!
romgothsam.bsky.social Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 4d
We have a lot of talks on Haunted Houses!

This one is about Shirley Jackson and Haunted Houses and Finances

youtu.be/HeERGmwUdF8
Haunted Houses, Credit and Shirley Jackson with Amy Bride
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
oewordhord.bsky.social
gamenian, wk.v: to play; to jest. (GA-men-i-ahn / ˈga-mɛn-ɪ-an)
Image: Book of Hours; Flanders, 14th century; Walters Art Museum, W.88, f. 115v.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Medieval manuscript image of possibly two people in a blue deer costume (the face of one is visible and its chest and there are two pairs of shoes) and a musician playing a flute or whistle with a drum on their back.
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
romgothsam.bsky.social
Come and join us! (There is anoter slot later in the day though that one is almost sold out! Link also in thread)
aryaray.bsky.social Arya Ray @aryaray.bsky.social · 3d
In about an hour today, I'll be talking about Bengali ghosts as part of Romancing the Gothic's talk series. When my grandfather told me these bedtime stories, I doubt he thought I'd make it the centre of my research but here we are.
Come along if you can!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thakumar-j...
‘Thakumar Jhuli’ – The Ghost Stories of Bengali Folklore with Arya Ray
Arya Ray joins us to explore Bengali folklore
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
mhairibrennan.bsky.social
Happy #worldtelevisionday! 📺
Also, please buy my book, available for pre-order now
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
uniwalespress.bsky.social
Today marks World #Television Day! 📺

Discover more about the struggles and successes of #Welsh broadcasting in 'A History of Independent Television in #Wales' by @jimbomed.bsky.social and 'Broadcasting for Wales' by Elain Price.

📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/history...
📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/broadca...
Broadcasting for Wales Cover A History of Independent Television in Wales cover
November 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Derek Johnston
rhiggitt.bsky.social
Fabulous PhD opportunity at Queen's University Belfast and Armagh Observatory:

Observing the Heavens from the 'Periphery': Astronomy in Ireland 1640-1830

www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post... Deadline 13 Jan #histSTM #histastro
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM