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!
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
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
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
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
Non-fiction Gothic: Vampires and Ghosts in the 1960s/70s
Dive in!
youtu.be/yiV7_E2Bgyw
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
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
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
Non-fiction Gothic: Vampires and Ghosts in the 1960s/70s
Dive in!
youtu.be/yiV7_E2Bgyw
I had to take a bit of a break, or slow down at least, for the inevitable exhaustion and weird sleep patterns following travel across continents. Back on the wagon next week... and then hopefully I can take some actual holiday as well. Imagine!
Week 3 Summary
I went on holiday to Canada this week so everything slowed down a bit!
5 articles
2 novels
2 chapbooks
I went on holiday to Canada this week so everything slowed down a bit!
5 articles
2 novels
2 chapbooks
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 AM
I had to take a bit of a break, or slow down at least, for the inevitable exhaustion and weird sleep patterns following travel across continents. Back on the wagon next week... and then hopefully I can take some actual holiday as well. Imagine!
This is one of those books that people get put off because of the title but it is such a great read! It's also consistently been one of my most successful recommendations. If you haven't read it, give it a go!
39) The Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg
This is always a great read and I'm very much looking forward to discussing it with my Gothic class on Tuesday!
This is always a great read and I'm very much looking forward to discussing it with my Gothic class on Tuesday!
November 23, 2025 at 11:04 PM
This is one of those books that people get put off because of the title but it is such a great read! It's also consistently been one of my most successful recommendations. If you haven't read it, give it a go!
Details of a women's writing online conference!
Looks interesting!
Looks interesting!
November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Details of a women's writing online conference!
Looks interesting!
Looks interesting!
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
GenAI has polluted image search results, especially for animal pics. It’s now basically impossible to find accurate art references.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository
www.animal-photo-references.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
GenAI has polluted image search results, especially for animal pics. It’s now basically impossible to find accurate art references.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Officially asking now for author folks (and reader folks) to tell me about the new queer holiday romances coming out this year—I don’t know why I’m having trouble finding them this year, but I am.
Drop 'em here, please.
(Bonus if low-angst; also happy for sapphic—this is not just a dude zone).
Drop 'em here, please.
(Bonus if low-angst; also happy for sapphic—this is not just a dude zone).
November 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Officially asking now for author folks (and reader folks) to tell me about the new queer holiday romances coming out this year—I don’t know why I’m having trouble finding them this year, but I am.
Drop 'em here, please.
(Bonus if low-angst; also happy for sapphic—this is not just a dude zone).
Drop 'em here, please.
(Bonus if low-angst; also happy for sapphic—this is not just a dude zone).
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
It’s great to have them available. We have three readings, all gothic stories by Robert Louis Stevenson – “Thrawn Janet”, “The Tale of Tod Lapraik”, & “The Bottle Imp” – so we appreciate how difficult & time-consuming they are to do!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rylw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rylw...
Robert Louis Stevenson's "Thrawn Janet"
YouTube video by ASL
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
It’s great to have them available. We have three readings, all gothic stories by Robert Louis Stevenson – “Thrawn Janet”, “The Tale of Tod Lapraik”, & “The Bottle Imp” – so we appreciate how difficult & time-consuming they are to do!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rylw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rylw...
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Did anyone enjoy the stories I wrote for the AScareADay challenge in October? If so I rewrote the 4-part necromancy one a bit, and it's now a Ko-Fi exclusive short story.
#QueerAdultSFF #Fantasy #BookSky 🌈📚💙
ko-fi.com/s/095ae061d6
#QueerAdultSFF #Fantasy #BookSky 🌈📚💙
ko-fi.com/s/095ae061d6
Bone Puppets - CM Rosens's Ko-fi Shop
Dark Fantasy Short Story.
Two amateur necromancers decide to raise the most powerful necromancer of their world's history to defend their lands from...
ko-fi.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Did anyone enjoy the stories I wrote for the AScareADay challenge in October? If so I rewrote the 4-part necromancy one a bit, and it's now a Ko-Fi exclusive short story.
#QueerAdultSFF #Fantasy #BookSky 🌈📚💙
ko-fi.com/s/095ae061d6
#QueerAdultSFF #Fantasy #BookSky 🌈📚💙
ko-fi.com/s/095ae061d6
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Thank you! And I see a playlist of eight Scottish gothic tales, too – with stories from James Hogg, Margaret Oliphant, Dorothy K. Haynes, J.M. Barrie, George MacDonald, John Buchan, Robert Louis Stevenson, & Walter Scott …
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Scottish Gothic Tales
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Thank you! And I see a playlist of eight Scottish gothic tales, too – with stories from James Hogg, Margaret Oliphant, Dorothy K. Haynes, J.M. Barrie, George MacDonald, John Buchan, Robert Louis Stevenson, & Walter Scott …
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
I've had quite a lot of new people follow me this week so time for some Romancing the Gothic recs!
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
November 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I've had quite a lot of new people follow me this week so time for some Romancing the Gothic recs!
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
Wants some talks on Haunted Houses? We've got more haunted houses than you can shake a stick at - check out this thread!
We have a lot of talks on Haunted Houses!
This one is about Shirley Jackson and Haunted Houses and Finances
youtu.be/HeERGmwUdF8
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
Wants some talks on Haunted Houses? We've got more haunted houses than you can shake a stick at - check out this thread!
Interested in exploring Malaysian horror? We've got three talks for you on different films, periods and types of horror!
We have three!
First up, Malay(sian) Cinema and Monstrosity in Munafik with Syazween Zainal
youtu.be/VVlUO2gl2GM
First up, Malay(sian) Cinema and Monstrosity in Munafik with Syazween Zainal
youtu.be/VVlUO2gl2GM
Malay(sian) Cinema and Malay Monstrosity: An Analysis of Munafik
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Interested in exploring Malaysian horror? We've got three talks for you on different films, periods and types of horror!
Looking for talks on Frankenstein and Medical History from an expert in the field? We've got you covered!
We don't have any queer Frankensteins (though we have upcoming talks!) but wendonhave medical history!
youtu.be/o7Dvip3yexM?...
youtu.be/o7Dvip3yexM?...
Cat Irving - Frankenstein and Medical Science
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Looking for talks on Frankenstein and Medical History from an expert in the field? We've got you covered!
I've been giving recs, so do go check out some of the talks or ask for your own topics!
We've got talks on things from medieval revenants to modern day horror!
We've got talks on things from medieval revenants to modern day horror!
I've had quite a lot of new people follow me this week so time for some Romancing the Gothic recs!
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I've been giving recs, so do go check out some of the talks or ask for your own topics!
We've got talks on things from medieval revenants to modern day horror!
We've got talks on things from medieval revenants to modern day horror!
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
For those who can't attend the morning session, there's an even session as well: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thakumar-j...
‘Thakumar Jhuli’ – The Ghost Stories of Bengali Folklore
Arya Ray joins us to talk about Bengali Folklore
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 9:12 AM
For those who can't attend the morning session, there's an even session as well: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thakumar-j...
Come and join us! (There is anoter slot later in the day though that one is almost sold out! Link also in thread)
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...
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
Come and join us! (There is anoter slot later in the day though that one is almost sold out! Link also in thread)
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Buy two pizzas, get a free cat warmer! (Yes, my pizza is still inside the box)
November 22, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Buy two pizzas, get a free cat warmer! (Yes, my pizza is still inside the box)
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Do you need cats, because this a compendium of delightful cats.
Hello new friends! I think it is time to share once again the most joyful thing in my life.
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Do you need cats, because this a compendium of delightful cats.
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
Not to bang my own drum but *bangs own drum*
We also have the amazing thread of talks by Dan Pietersen on Haunted Houses...under the sea, in space, in video games... Wherever you can find Haunted Houses, you'll find Dan!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjHw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjHw...
Haunted Houses in Video Games with Dan Pietersen
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Not to bang my own drum but *bangs own drum*
Reposted by Dr Sam Hirst
They banned Elatsoe in Florida 😭 My mystery about a girl and her ghost dog!!!
November Is the Month to Celebrate Native American Culture, but the Stories That Do So Are Getting Banned
Here are some #BannedBooks to read this #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth https://pen.org/banned-native-american-books/
Here are some #BannedBooks to read this #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth https://pen.org/banned-native-american-books/
November is the Month to Celebrate Native American Culture, but the Stories That Do So Are Getting Banned
The list below includes a portion of the books written by or about Indigenous people removed from school libraries and classrooms since 2021.
pen.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
They banned Elatsoe in Florida 😭 My mystery about a girl and her ghost dog!!!
I've had quite a lot of new people follow me this week so time for some Romancing the Gothic recs!
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
November 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I've had quite a lot of new people follow me this week so time for some Romancing the Gothic recs!
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
Romancing the Gothic runs free talks on all things Gothic, horror and the supernatural. We have a backlog of hundreds of classes!
Give me a topic you're interested in, and I'll see what we've got :)
I always think that Bucksfizz looks like one of those medieval pictures of a cat
This is bucksfizz. She loved using me as a climbing frame and sitting atop my shoulder like a parrot.
November 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I always think that Bucksfizz looks like one of those medieval pictures of a cat
If you are having a bad day and love cats, this might help with a little loveliness
Hello new friends! I think it is time to share once again the most joyful thing in my life.
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
November 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
If you are having a bad day and love cats, this might help with a little loveliness
Hello new friends! I think it is time to share once again the most joyful thing in my life.
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
November 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Hello new friends! I think it is time to share once again the most joyful thing in my life.
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!
You know what that means.
It's cat thread time!
Some of the cats I have sat for this year. Each a tiny cat star!