Dr Helena Esser
@helenaesser.bsky.social
she/her. Victorianist & dandypunk. My books on #Steampunk London & #Ouida out now! Co-hosting @VPFAThirdSex #3rdSex.
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The Official Ouida Starter Guide
As told by Helena Esser So, this Ouida lady.You’ve heard so much, a lot of it from me, if you’ve met me. “I really have to read Ouida!”, you vow, after I’ve tried to conjure the rush and beauty of …
victorianpopularfiction.org
Do you want to start reading Ouida but don't know where to start? Find my handy #Ouida Starter Guide on the official VPFA blog:
@vpfa.bsky.social
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-official...
@vpfa.bsky.social
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-official...
Are you looking for spooky Gothic things to watch for Halloween? Here's a bunch of spoktacular Victorian films, TV series, and RPG campaigns for you! 🎃🎃🎃
New Blog post alert- 'Neo-Victorian Gothtober 2025' by Helena Esser. Some spooky neo-Vic gothic films and tv series recommendations for your Halloween watching pleasure! Read here: victorianpopularfiction.org/neo-victoria...
October 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Are you looking for spooky Gothic things to watch for Halloween? Here's a bunch of spoktacular Victorian films, TV series, and RPG campaigns for you! 🎃🎃🎃
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
New Blog post alert- 'Neo-Victorian Gothtober 2025' by Helena Esser. Some spooky neo-Vic gothic films and tv series recommendations for your Halloween watching pleasure! Read here: victorianpopularfiction.org/neo-victoria...
October 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
New Blog post alert- 'Neo-Victorian Gothtober 2025' by Helena Esser. Some spooky neo-Vic gothic films and tv series recommendations for your Halloween watching pleasure! Read here: victorianpopularfiction.org/neo-victoria...
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Call for Contributions: Victorian Infrastructures & their Environmental Legacies
We're still looking for articles to be included in our @openlibhums.org special issue!
Abstracts are due 31 October, full texts 31 March '26.
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @rs4vp.org @asleuki.bsky.social @easlce.bsky.social
We're still looking for articles to be included in our @openlibhums.org special issue!
Abstracts are due 31 October, full texts 31 March '26.
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @rs4vp.org @asleuki.bsky.social @easlce.bsky.social
OLHJ_CfP.pdf
shorturl.at
October 3, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Call for Contributions: Victorian Infrastructures & their Environmental Legacies
We're still looking for articles to be included in our @openlibhums.org special issue!
Abstracts are due 31 October, full texts 31 March '26.
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @rs4vp.org @asleuki.bsky.social @easlce.bsky.social
We're still looking for articles to be included in our @openlibhums.org special issue!
Abstracts are due 31 October, full texts 31 March '26.
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @rs4vp.org @asleuki.bsky.social @easlce.bsky.social
Do you want to start reading Ouida but don't know where to start? Find my handy #Ouida Starter Guide on the official VPFA blog:
@vpfa.bsky.social
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-official...
@vpfa.bsky.social
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-official...
The Official Ouida Starter Guide
As told by Helena Esser So, this Ouida lady.You’ve heard so much, a lot of it from me, if you’ve met me. “I really have to read Ouida!”, you vow, after I’ve tried to conjure the rush and beauty of …
victorianpopularfiction.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Do you want to start reading Ouida but don't know where to start? Find my handy #Ouida Starter Guide on the official VPFA blog:
@vpfa.bsky.social
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-official...
@vpfa.bsky.social
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-official...
Been reading these back to back: One is 1890s decadent gothic, one is 2020s fantasy horror. Both are grotesque and beautiful and raw and weird. Basically, -- *gestures wildly* -- what I want to say is: !!!!!!!!!!!
October 8, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Been reading these back to back: One is 1890s decadent gothic, one is 2020s fantasy horror. Both are grotesque and beautiful and raw and weird. Basically, -- *gestures wildly* -- what I want to say is: !!!!!!!!!!!
It's finally here! What an incredibly rich contribution to #TerryPratchett studies. Thank you so much @bretonjustine.bsky.social for your hard work on this project (and in getting my author copy to me!). I am so proud to have a chapter in here. #GNUTerryPratchett
October 1, 2025 at 12:04 PM
It's finally here! What an incredibly rich contribution to #TerryPratchett studies. Thank you so much @bretonjustine.bsky.social for your hard work on this project (and in getting my author copy to me!). I am so proud to have a chapter in here. #GNUTerryPratchett
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Excited to announce that the VPFA blog has launched! Thanks to Emma Butler-Way for her hard work in getting it ready for today, for more information check out the blog at the link below:
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-vpfa-blog/
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-vpfa-blog/
The VPFA Blog
The VPFA Blog Welcome to the VPFA Blog! Here we will have ponderings, reflections, speculative readings, and more, for the reading pleasure of our fellow Victorianists. If you would like to submit …
victorianpopularfiction.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Excited to announce that the VPFA blog has launched! Thanks to Emma Butler-Way for her hard work in getting it ready for today, for more information check out the blog at the link below:
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-vpfa-blog/
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-vpfa-blog/
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
What a joy it was getting this page ready to go! All the thanks to @helenaesser.bsky.social for the material!
Here we'll have reflections, contemplations, speculations and more (all of a Victorian/neo-Victorian nature, of course).
Interested in contributing? Follow the link below & get in touch!
Here we'll have reflections, contemplations, speculations and more (all of a Victorian/neo-Victorian nature, of course).
Interested in contributing? Follow the link below & get in touch!
Excited to announce that the VPFA blog has launched! Thanks to Emma Butler-Way for her hard work in getting it ready for today, for more information check out the blog at the link below:
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-vpfa-blog/
victorianpopularfiction.org/the-vpfa-blog/
The VPFA Blog
The VPFA Blog Welcome to the VPFA Blog! Here we will have ponderings, reflections, speculative readings, and more, for the reading pleasure of our fellow Victorianists. If you would like to submit …
victorianpopularfiction.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
What a joy it was getting this page ready to go! All the thanks to @helenaesser.bsky.social for the material!
Here we'll have reflections, contemplations, speculations and more (all of a Victorian/neo-Victorian nature, of course).
Interested in contributing? Follow the link below & get in touch!
Here we'll have reflections, contemplations, speculations and more (all of a Victorian/neo-Victorian nature, of course).
Interested in contributing? Follow the link below & get in touch!
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
The dirigible has landed & dropped 2 new arrivals on #NeoVictorianism !
"Steampunk London" by @helenaesser.bsky.social analyses how #NeoVictorian fiction, visual art, film & video games, 1980s to present day, reimagine urban space(s) in #steampunk visions of London
#CulturalStudies #LiteraryStudies
"Steampunk London" by @helenaesser.bsky.social analyses how #NeoVictorian fiction, visual art, film & video games, 1980s to present day, reimagine urban space(s) in #steampunk visions of London
#CulturalStudies #LiteraryStudies
August 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The dirigible has landed & dropped 2 new arrivals on #NeoVictorianism !
"Steampunk London" by @helenaesser.bsky.social analyses how #NeoVictorian fiction, visual art, film & video games, 1980s to present day, reimagine urban space(s) in #steampunk visions of London
#CulturalStudies #LiteraryStudies
"Steampunk London" by @helenaesser.bsky.social analyses how #NeoVictorian fiction, visual art, film & video games, 1980s to present day, reimagine urban space(s) in #steampunk visions of London
#CulturalStudies #LiteraryStudies
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
VPFA Third Sex reading group will be returning for their first session of Season 6 on 17th September, 5.30-7pm. The topic will be Mary Shelley's Lodore, co-hosted with Susan Civale and Siobhan-Michelle Smith! Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lodore-tic...
August 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
VPFA Third Sex reading group will be returning for their first session of Season 6 on 17th September, 5.30-7pm. The topic will be Mary Shelley's Lodore, co-hosted with Susan Civale and Siobhan-Michelle Smith! Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lodore-tic...
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Step into the world of steam, scandal, and storytelling at our Virtual Victorian Tea Salon. Brew your favourite blend and join fellow members online for a lively afternoon discussion, creativity, and Victorian charm. All are welcome at our virtual tea table, whether sharing, reading, or sipping!
August 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Step into the world of steam, scandal, and storytelling at our Virtual Victorian Tea Salon. Brew your favourite blend and join fellow members online for a lively afternoon discussion, creativity, and Victorian charm. All are welcome at our virtual tea table, whether sharing, reading, or sipping!
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Please allow me to recommend some summer reading, followed with an invitation to join our book discussion. Everybody is welcome so please share widely (this poster has the correct start time of 5.30pm!) The text and audiobook are available on Internet Archive/Gutenberg. @vpfa.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Please allow me to recommend some summer reading, followed with an invitation to join our book discussion. Everybody is welcome so please share widely (this poster has the correct start time of 5.30pm!) The text and audiobook are available on Internet Archive/Gutenberg. @vpfa.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
#BAVS2025 you were a blast! 5 x Birkbeck papers from @drvickymills.bsky.social @nonfictioness.bsky.social @helenaesser.bsky.social Julia Kuehn and me! Great to hang with @jeremynewton64.bsky.social too! Such fun and sociability with so many great #Victorian scholars! @19birkbeck.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 9:49 AM
#BAVS2025 you were a blast! 5 x Birkbeck papers from @drvickymills.bsky.social @nonfictioness.bsky.social @helenaesser.bsky.social Julia Kuehn and me! Great to hang with @jeremynewton64.bsky.social too! Such fun and sociability with so many great #Victorian scholars! @19birkbeck.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Here are a few of the #BirkbeckVictorianists on tour again, this time at the @bavs-uk.bsky.social 2025 Conference in Oxford. With @janetteleaf.bsky.social, @helenaesser.bsky.social and @nonfictioness.bsky.social.
July 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Here are a few of the #BirkbeckVictorianists on tour again, this time at the @bavs-uk.bsky.social 2025 Conference in Oxford. With @janetteleaf.bsky.social, @helenaesser.bsky.social and @nonfictioness.bsky.social.
#BAVS2026 Day2: Exploring Oscar, travel, transcultural encounters, modes of gazing & enmeshing, and multiple stages & versions of female embodiment.
July 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
#BAVS2026 Day2: Exploring Oscar, travel, transcultural encounters, modes of gazing & enmeshing, and multiple stages & versions of female embodiment.
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Here's an excellent opportunity for anyone working on Margaret Oliphant! Please help spread the word. This special issue is looking for more contributors.
CFP: Special Issue of Women’s Writing on Margaret Oliphant at 200 (Proposal Deadline: 12/1/25) | NAVSA
navsa.org
July 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Here's an excellent opportunity for anyone working on Margaret Oliphant! Please help spread the word. This special issue is looking for more contributors.
More #BAVS2025: Exploring travel & Orientalism, the colonial imagery of tea & labour, transatlantic tea rooms, & the domestic masculinity of Japonisme.
July 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
More #BAVS2025: Exploring travel & Orientalism, the colonial imagery of tea & labour, transatlantic tea rooms, & the domestic masculinity of Japonisme.
Today's #VPFAExtremes has assembled FIVE (5) whole #Ouida scholars in its hybrid space! A lovely Study Day 2023 re-union with Lorraine Dubuisson, @ouidaite.bsky.social, Crescent Rainwater, & @andrewkingc19.bsky.social ✨️🩷✨️
July 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Today's #VPFAExtremes has assembled FIVE (5) whole #Ouida scholars in its hybrid space! A lovely Study Day 2023 re-union with Lorraine Dubuisson, @ouidaite.bsky.social, Crescent Rainwater, & @andrewkingc19.bsky.social ✨️🩷✨️
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
in the Third Sex Reading group conference session we were discussing Nebedita Sen's Ten Excerpts from an Annotated Bibliography on the Cannibal Women of Ratnabar Island. A very poignant commentary on literal, intellectual, cultural, and literary consumption #VPFAExtremes
July 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
in the Third Sex Reading group conference session we were discussing Nebedita Sen's Ten Excerpts from an Annotated Bibliography on the Cannibal Women of Ratnabar Island. A very poignant commentary on literal, intellectual, cultural, and literary consumption #VPFAExtremes
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
This year's 3rd Sex reading group session @vpfa.bsky.social was om "The Cannibal Women of Ratnabar Island" - a remarkable short story that led to really interesting discussion! #vpfaextremes
July 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
This year's 3rd Sex reading group session @vpfa.bsky.social was om "The Cannibal Women of Ratnabar Island" - a remarkable short story that led to really interesting discussion! #vpfaextremes
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
A great meal with great conference pals! @vpfa.bsky.social #VPFAextremes
July 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
A great meal with great conference pals! @vpfa.bsky.social #VPFAextremes
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
Great to see my fellow #BirkbeckVictorianist @helenaesser.bsky.social in action this morning, talking about #Ouida and spy fiction at the @vpfa.bsky.social conference in Birmingham. With fellow panellists Professor Claudia Capancioni and Dr. Alison Dingle.
July 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Great to see my fellow #BirkbeckVictorianist @helenaesser.bsky.social in action this morning, talking about #Ouida and spy fiction at the @vpfa.bsky.social conference in Birmingham. With fellow panellists Professor Claudia Capancioni and Dr. Alison Dingle.
Reposted by Dr Helena Esser
It's been a lovely 1st day at VPFA 2025! @vpfa.bsky.social #VPFAextremes
July 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
It's been a lovely 1st day at VPFA 2025! @vpfa.bsky.social #VPFAextremes