Dr. Melissa Schuh
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melissaschuh.bsky.social
Dr. Melissa Schuh
@melissaschuh.bsky.social
1.8K followers 590 following 270 posts
Lecturer in English Literature at Kiel University, deputy editor for @c21literature.bsky.social , contemporary life writing/fiction, English & German, seriality, modernism • she/her •
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melissaschuh.bsky.social
All right, have a look here and see what you think…
Mohsin Hamid: exit west Zadie Smith: white teeth George Saunders: Lincoln in the Bardo Ali Smith: how to be both
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Sure! Have a look here…
Ben Aaronovitch: Rivers of London Tony Santorella: bored gay werewolf David Mitchell: number 9 Dream Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Mexican gothic
December 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
🧶 November #Knitting 🧶

Ridiculously busy month, so no complete pair of socks but one pair of Contrast Blast socks by Westknits in progress to be finished soon as a present 🎁

#Handknitting #socks #HandknittedSocks #yarn #HanddyedYarn
Picture of stripey handknitted socks in a variegated brown and semi-solid dark green yarn, one sock being finished and one in progress on double pointed needles being laid on top against a white background.
December 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
All right then, have a look at these and see what you think.
Eimear McBride: a girl is a half-formed thing Abubakar Adam Ibrahim: Season of crimson blossoms Patricia Highsmith: Ripley‘s game Sunny Singh: Hotel Arcadia
December 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, because my book is out now, fresh off the press!
Happy book birthday to “Literary Autobiography: Contemporary Novelists and their Self-Representations” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025) 📕🎉! doi.org/10.1007/978-... @hss.springernature.com
Book cover: Melissa Schuh, Literary Autobiography: Contemporary No Elises and their Self-Representations (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025) Flyer: Melissa Schuh Literary Autobiography Contemporary Novelists and their Self-Representations -Explores the narrative strategies developed by novelists as they cross generic boundaries of �ction and non-fiction -Presents case studies of works by canonical contemporary authors -Develops de�nitions and concepts to analyse forms of autobiographical writing that �flaunt their �fictionality Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Life Writing Get 20% off with this code: PALAUT PALGRAVE STUDIES IN LIFE WRITING Series Editors: Clare Brant • Max Saunders "Melissa Schuh's Literary Autobiography offers a theoretically elegant and literarily sensitive rethinking of the fraught relationship between the novel and autobiography. Central to the book is the concept of performative contradiction, which Schuh develops as the defining aesthetic strategy of literary autobiography—a strategy that embraces fictionality not to undermine life writing, but to open it toward deeper questions of truth, identity, and narrative ethics. Schuh's analyses of Roth, Coetzee, and Grass persuasively show how these works form an aesthetic lineage that contemporary autofiction continues to draw from. This book will be indispensable for scholars across life writing studies, narratology, and literary ethics." —Stefan Kjerkegaard, Aarhus University, Denmark Why do novelists write about themselves? What modes do novelists use to manipulate representations of their personality? Why is it often late in their career that novelists write about their own lives? This book develops the concept of literary autobiography as a genre responding to a profound uncertainty about the knowability of the self, often negotiated through a particular concern with the writing life. Comprising a particular sub-genre and style of contemporary life writing, the autobiographies examined in this book foreground their formal 'literariness' through the explicit use of fictionality, disrupting established (auto) biographical tropes by employing narrative innovations associated with postmodern fiction and prefigured by modernist experimentation. Taken together, they exemplify an aesthetics of performative contradiction, in which novelistic strategies cast doubt on the veracity of the life represented. Exploring works by canonical and popular novelists - J.M. Coetzee, Philip Roth, Günter Grass, Elena Ferrante, and Karl Ove Knausgard - this book addresses the increasing novelisation of contemporary life w…
November 29, 2025 at 11:22 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Hi Emma, absolutely, check these out and see what you think.
A.S. Byatt: possession Sara Collins: The confessions of Frannie Langton Jordy Rosenberg: confessions of the fox George Saunders: Lincoln in the bardo
November 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Thanks to @femsista.bsky.social recommendation from her keynote at #BritCult2025 , I’ve got a local snack to try on my way home, the pepper pretzel 🥨 (Tiny conference duck, though overshadowed by it in size but not in cuteness, travels with me 🦆). @susannegruss.bsky.social @jennyleetsch.bsky.social
Pepper pretzel photographed on a red paper bag with a tiny pink resin duck nestled in the middle.
November 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
On my way home from a sunny Bamberg after an amazing, rich #BritCult2025 conference, where I got to share in a collaborative panel discussing queer romance and queer happy endings with the all together brilliant Anneke Schewe, @jennyleetsch.bsky.social , and Amanda Boyce. @susannegruss.bsky.social
Presentation slide featuring the cast of the Heartstopper Netflix series with the title: Why are we like this? : Seriality, Genre, and Queer Joy in Alice Oseman‘s Heartstoppet (2022-), by Anneke Schewe and Melissa Schuh Photograph of a bridge in Bamberg with the rising sun in the background. Photograph of a sunlit river back in Bamberg.
November 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Who could say no to a conference duck 🦆? I chose a pink one to match my outfit 😍

@susannegruss.bsky.social #BritCult2025 @jennyleetsch.bsky.social
Glass bowl full of a colourful assortment of small resin ducks, with a pink one set next to the bowl University of Bamberg tote bag in navy with white lettering, with a yellow name Tag including pronouns and a small pink resin duck on it.
November 20, 2025 at 10:45 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Some pretty Bamberg sights on the first day of the #BritCult2025 conference…

@susannegruss.bsky.social @jennyleetsch.bsky.social
Photograph of a tree in front of some rooftops and a cloudy sunset sky Photograph from a bridge onto a bank of south German houses. Photograph of a bridge with locks on the bannister with a river and houses in the background. Photograph of a church with a white sandstone front.
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
The #BritCult2025 conference in Bamberg is off to a great start, including the most beautiful (and massive) cheese platter I have ever seen 😋🧀
@susannegruss.bsky.social @jennyleetsch.bsky.social
Annual Conference of the German Association for the Study of British Cultures Re-Orientating Gender (Studies): Feminism, Queerness, Trans* in Cultural Studies Today Bamberg, 20-22 November 2025 After a period of seeming consolidation, feminist politics, queer and trans* identities as well as gender studies as a programme field are, once again, under threat. Taking its cue from the inherently political nature of cultural studies, this conference will take stock and re-orientate the position and importance of gender (studies) in cultural studies today. keynote speakers: Greta Olson & Elisabeth Lechner, Colby Gordon location: An der Universität 2, room 00.25 organisation: Chair of English Literature (Susan Brähler, Sarah Busch, Susanne Gruß, Allison Lemley, Theo Lupprian, Kerstin-Anja Münderlein) Round cheese platter with cubes and wedges artfully arranged Charcuterie platter with hams and Salami artfully arranged Antipasto platter
November 20, 2025 at 9:59 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
It has taken some time due to the usual customs issues, but my order of the brilliant @heyitsdenisew.bsky.social ‘s monograph “Shame in Contemporary You-Narration: Time, Gender and Race” has made it to my desk and is such a beautiful book. Congratulations, Denise!! 🎉📚
Photograph of a book on a white desk, Denise Wong: Shame in contemporary you-narration: time, gender and race
November 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Feeling inspired after the rich discussions of today’s medical humanities workshop on “Viral?! Gender, Medicine, and the Popular”, organised by @jenniferhenke.bsky.social and Johannes Schlegel at Hamburg University. @kyliecrane.bsky.social @ninavoigt.bsky.social
Photograph of a projected slide with the title: Viral?! Gender, medicine and the popular Workshop Poster on a seminar room door: title: Viral?! Gender, Medicine, and the popular. Program 11:15-11:30: Welcome & Introduction Jennifer S. Henke (Lüneburg) Johannes Schlegel (Hamburg) 11:30-12:30: Impulses I Sophie Witt (Hamburg): Medical & Health Humanities im Studiengang Liberal Arts & Sciences (UHH) Melissa Schuh (Kiel): The Model Minority: Mental Illness and (Dis)Affection in Asian American Women's Life Writing Heike Hartung (Potsdam): Writing, Walking and Grief: Male Embodiment at the End of Life Christoph Singer (Innsbruck): Playing Depression? Hegemonic Masculinity and Mental Distress in the The Longest Walk and Actual Sunlight 12:45-14:00: Lunch Break 14:00-15:00: Impulses II Davina Höll (Tübingen): ‘Call the Midwife!’– Reproductive Vulnerability between Pop Culture and Public Discourse Nina Voigt (Bremen): The Abortive Doctor: Medical Authority and Conceptions of Nonreproduction in 19th-Century England Kylie Crane (Rostock): Purity Pos(t)ing: Health, Social Media and Gender Julia Wurr (Oldenburg): Situating Gender in the Postcolonial Medical and Health Humanities Picture Credit: jannoon028/www.freepik.com 15:00-15:15: Coffee Break 15:15-17:30: Workshop Sessions 17:30-18:00: Outlook & Farewell Photograph of Hamburg university campus Photograph of a street lamp in front of a tree full of autumn leaves
November 15, 2025 at 8:22 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
🧶 October #Knitting 🧶

Two pairs: One pair of Askews Me socks in some Halloween set leftovers and “Firecracker” by Punk Rock Unicorn and one pair of Contrast Blast socks in “FizWizBiz” and “Dark Deeds” by Lil Weasel , both by Westknits .

#HandKnitting #HanddyedYarn #handknittedSocks
Handknitted socks in a stripy brioche pattern that winds around the socks in a variegated orange and pink yarn and a self-striping black and white yarn, laid out on a wooden table. Handknitted socks in a stripy brioche pattern that winds around the socks in a variegated orange and pink yarn and a self-striping black and white yarn, laid out on a wooden table with the leftover balls of yarn next to them. Handknitted pair of socks in a stripy pattern in a variegated white yarn with neon coloured speckles and a semi-solid dark grey yarn, laid out on a white table. Handknitted pair of socks in a stripy pattern in a variegated white yarn with neon coloured speckles and a semi-solid dark grey yarn, laid out on a white table.
November 3, 2025 at 11:24 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Sure! Maybe something here?
Marina Yuszczuk: thirst Trang Thanh Tran: she is haunting Jewelle Gomez: The Gilda Stories Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Mexican gothic
October 30, 2025 at 10:56 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Absolutely! Have a look at these… (I can think more about stuff in translation if none of this is quite right!)
Ryka Aoki: light from uncommon stars Nnedi Okorafor: lagoon Rivers Solomon: the deep Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: this is how you lose the time war
October 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
All right then, how about something here?
Sangu Mandanna: the very secret society of irregular witches Eva Ibbotson: a Company of swans Elena Ferrante: my brilliant friend A.S. Byatt: possession
October 24, 2025 at 1:12 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Hi! Sorry, I’ve been feeling under the weather and lost track of this, but here are some ideas, see what you think?
Ryka Aoki: light from uncommon stars Nnedi Okorafor: lagoon R.F. Kuang: Babel Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: this is how you lose the time war
October 12, 2025 at 9:55 AM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Of course! How about something here?
Kalynn Bayron: my dear Henry ND Stevenson: Nimona Xiran Jay Zhao: Iron widow Sheridan le Fanu: carmilla
October 2, 2025 at 9:19 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
🧶 September #Knitting 🧶

Three pairs: Flying Foxtail socks to complete a matching set in “Himmel” and “Dawn Purple” by Mominoki, Dancing Droplet socks in “遠＜の花火“ by Amirisu both by Westknits, and Jelly Roll socks by Mara Bryner in a Halloween set by Punk Rock Unicorn 🧶

#socks #handknitting
Pair of handknitted socks, in a semi-solid white with purple speckles, and a semi-solid light blue yarn, in a brioche pattern, with one sock laid on top of the other on a sock blocker, laid out on a wooden table. Leftover balls of yarn are next to it. Two matching pairs of handknitted socks, in a semi-solid white with purple speckles, and a semi-solid light blue yarn, each with the opposite main colour, in a brioche pattern, with one sock each laid on top of the other on sock blockers, laid out on a wooden table. Leftover balls of yarn are next to them. A hand knitted pair of socks in a variegated navy and neon coloured yarn knitted in a textured pattern with droplet-like stitches, laid out on a wooden table with the leftover ball of yarn next to it. Handknitted pair of jelly roll ankle socks in a variegated black and grey yarn with contrasting purple and orange accents for cuff, arch ribbing and toe, laid out on a white table.
October 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Sorry! I didn’t get a proper notification somehow, here’s some ideas…
Sara Collins: the confessions of Frannie Langton Jordy Rosenberg: confessions of the fox Abubakar Adam Ibrahim : Season of Crimson blossoms Margaret Atwood: alias grace
September 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Some impressions from the annual conference of the German Association for the Study of English in Essen on the topic of “Anglophone Studies and the Public: Past, Present and Future Debates and Interventions” where I got to talk about teaching practices, diversity, and scholarship and activism 📚
Photograph of the Anglistiktag 2025 conference folder with two papers laid out on top, one on Scholarship and|as activism, and the other on antiracist teaching practices. Photograph of the university campus in Essen with a large lecture hall building in the background. Photograph of a blue and yellow series of large letter sculptures spelling Essen. Photograph of a view over the city of Essen from the town hall.
September 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Absolutely, have a look at these…
ND Stevenson: Nimona Rebecca Kuang: Babel Rivers Solomon: The Deep Elizabeth Lim: Six crimson cranes
September 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Oh Great! Have a look here…
Deborah Harkness: a discovery of witches Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: this is his you lose the time war Kevin Kwan: Crazy Rich Asians Kazuo Ishiguro: Klara and the sum
September 11, 2025 at 9:47 PM
melissaschuh.bsky.social
Sorry, I didn’t get a proper notification for this! Have a look at these…
George Saunders: Lincoln in the Bardo Rivers Solomon: the Deep Richard Powers: the overstory Sophie Mackintosh: the water cure
September 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM