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Derek Johnston

@drdjohnston.bsky.social
1.2K followers 880 following 431 posts

Media lecturer: UK TV history, telefantasy, historical dramas. At Queen’s University Belfast.

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Reposted by Derek Johnston
Radio Times @radiotimes.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Christmas is coming... and so is another spine-tingling Ghost Story from Mark Gatiss. ❄️ This year, Martin Freeman and Jim Broadbent lead the cast of The Bride's Chamber, based on one of Charles Dickens's darkest tales. www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/mark-…
Martin Freeman as Goodchild in A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Bride's Chamber, sitting in a chair in a dimly lit room with a big bushy beard wearing a smoking jacket.
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Malcolm Craig @malcolmcraig.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Just a quick reminder that there will be a launch event for Cold City and Hot War 2nd eds, hosted by @ljmuhistory.bsky.social in our Student Life Building at 5pm on Tuesday, October 13. If you're in the area, please do register to come along! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2001155772...
eventbrite.co.uk
Cold City/Hot War Launch Event
It's a launch event. For the Cold City and Hot War second edition TTRPGs.
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University of Wales Press @uniwalespress.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Out now! 'Horror and Disability' by @drdarrengray.bsky.social is the first study of disability in modern horror film and television, demonstrating how the genre turns bodies, vulnerability and difference into sites of fear and resistance. 📚️ www.uwp.co.uk/book/horror-... @xaldanareyes.bsky.social
Horror and Disability is the first comprehensive study exploring disability within twenty-first-century horror films and television. Using critical theories along with disability and cultural studies, it examines how horror depicts mobility impairments, blindness, deafness, neurodiversity, illness, ageing and physical differences, demonstrating how these bodies are portrayed as monstrous, vulnerable, empowered or resistant
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The DARKNESS IN THE FIELDS FILM FESTIVAL is back next April, and we're looking for folk horror short films and features - if you've got a movie in the genre you want to see on the big screen, we'd love to check it out! filmfreeway.com/Darknessinth... #filmfestival #filmfest #horror #folkhorror
filmfreeway.com
Darkness in the Fields Film Festival 2027
Darkness in the Fields is a one-day film festival running each March/April in Derby, serving up a day of folk horror features, shorts and more. Our events to...
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Kier-La Janisse @kierlajanisse.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
It's my birthday today! I'd love if all the people who read HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN would read and/or review my COCKFIGHTER book (it's a better book IMO)- one of the only outlets to ever review it was @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social here: share.google/oSLZNGWvoeyH...
share.google
Cockfighter of the Year | Los Angeles Review of Books
Dylan Adamson reviews Kier-La Janisse’s “Cockfight: A Fable of Failure,” a book about the 1974 film “Cockfighter.”
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Swan River Press @swanriverpress.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Our newest title . . . GHOSTS ON THE CAM edited by Robert Lloyd Parry The third in a series of linked anthologies exploring M. R. James, his circle of colleagues, and their supernatural writing. Lloyd Parry essays on each writer and their connection with MRJ. swanriverpress.ie/srp-title/gh...
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ooh! Now wondering if I can take time out for a Dublin trip! Enjoy!
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Kier-La Janisse @kierlajanisse.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Tuesday Oct 6 I'll be at the @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social in Dublin, in conversation with author + scholar Bernice Murphy followed by a screening of Eyes of Fire Tix: share.google/pCreT885s6G7...
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
If you're following me on here, it's more likely because of the folklore/folk horror/hauntological work that I do, but I'm gonna tell you about my band THE CRYPTKICKER FIVE's forthcoming gigs anyway...
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Paul Cornell @paulcornell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The new Patrons-only episode of Telefantasy Time Jump is out now! Join @lizbethmyles.bsky.social and I as we watch 1973's Star Trek animated series and The Starlost! www.patreon.com/TelefantasyT...
The cast of Star Trek: The Animated Series.
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Scarred For Life Books @scarredforlife.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
HARPYA(1979): Channel 4's Four-Mations strand showed mind-blowing world animations during the 90s, including Raoul Servais' live action/stop-motion horror classic about a man who takes in a Harpy with an insatiable appetite...
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Folk 'n' Hell @folknhell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We've added a new feature to folknhell.com - Where to watch. No matter where in the world you are, this handy gizmo will tell you what streaming services are playing each of the films we cover on the podcast. Because we want you to enjoy the films we enjoy ;-) www.folknhell.com/where-to-watch
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My band The Cryptkicker Five have several gigs coming up, here's the first one of the bunch - in Nottingham and it's FREE ENTRY!
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
December is peak spooky season, and we've got plenty on the go to mark the occasion with our range of online talks for 2026! www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/alex-davis... #xmas #christmas #ghosts #ghoststories #haunting #hauntings #spooky #spookyseason
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🧟‍♀️ Liza Frank @lilithepunk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Fancy a folklore writing workshop at Waterstones in Worthing on Wednesday 14 October at 6pm? I might even drop a few divinatory techniques to help solve writers block too... To book tickets go to: www.waterstones.com/events/folkl... #WritingCommunity #Worthing #Folklore #CreativeWriting #AmWriting
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Laura Kremmel @lkremmel.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Paperback #pubday for Romantic Medicine and the Gothic Imagination! www.uwp.co.uk/book/romanti...
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Darryl Jones @profdarryljones.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hem hem. Me and him again. crimereads.com/darryl-jones...
crimereads.com
Darryl Jones on Discovering the Remarkable Ghost Stories of M.R. James
I didn’t know this until years later, but I first encountered Montague Rhodes James on Saturday 28 June 1980 at 10.30pm.  The BBC did my generation the lasting service of showing horror double bill…
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Partial garden grape harvest … Now, what to do with them! Eat some and make some grape jelly, probably.
A large metal bowl, about 30cm across, filled with bunches of small green grapes.
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Dr Scarlett Butchers @scarlettbutchers1.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I'm looking to chat to any PhDs who are doing/have done some tutoring to find out more about it. Please comment or DM!
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I should be there!
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We're looking for folk horror features and short films for next year's DARKNESS IN THE FIELDS FILM FESTIVAL at QUAD here in Derby - if you've got something that fits the bill, why not check it out at filmfreeway.com/Darknessinth... #folkhorror #folklore #filmfest #filmfestivals #horrorfilm
filmfreeway.com
Darkness in the Fields Film Festival 2027
Darkness in the Fields is a one-day film festival running each March/April in Derby, serving up a day of folk horror features, shorts and more. Our events to...
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Be sure to capture the Christmas spirit with us this year, as we present a week of Xmas lectures online from the 14th-18th December - we've got a range of topics from a great array of speakers incoming! www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-... #christmas #xmas #festive
eventbrite.com
Christmas Lecture Series 2026
A series of five online Christmas lectures, across a wide range of festive topics!
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Stephen Gallagher @stephengallagher.co.uk · 19/09/2026
I've added a new feature to my website where I'll make a selection of script pitches, outlines, and early drafts available for download. The PDFs themselves will be password protected in a futile attempt to keep the scrapers at bay, but the code's right there. First up, John Buchan's The 39 Steps
stephengallagher.com
Downloads – Stephen Gallagher
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Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Our speaker dropped out for tomorrow's talk so I am diving into the breach We'll be heading back to the 18th century to explore 'Fantomina: An Alternative Genealogy of Romance' You can join online at 10am and 7pm BST on Saturday 10 - buytickets.at/romancingthe... 7- buytickets.at/romancingthe...
buytickets.at
Select tickets – Fantomina and an Alternative History of Romance Fiction with Dr Sam Hirst – Zoom
Fantomina and an Alternative History of Romance Fiction with Dr Sam Hirst – Zoom, Sat 19 Sep 2026 - Fri 2 Oct 2026 - Our series of talks is funded exclusively by donations. The talks are free to acces...
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Dr Jen Baker @jendeavour.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Next month! A few tickets still available. THE CRADLE & THE GRAVE: Grief and Terror in Victorian Child Bereavement w. Dr Jen Baker, Sat 17th Oct, 1:30pm Brompton Cemetery, London. Tickets £13.50 inc a gin cocktail 🍸 & 20% donation to Brompton Cemetery: londonmonthofthedead.com/tickets.html
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Introducing the wonderful host for my book launch: Prof @helenwheatley.bsky.social, gothic television scholar and one of my role models, check out some of Helen's brilliant work if you haven't already! There are hardly any tickets left for this event - last couple at tinyurl.com/wyrdTVlaunch
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
If you've got a folk horror feature or short film in the works, then at DARKNESS IN THE FIELDS film festival we want to hear from you! Early bird submissions are now open... filmfreeway.com/Darknessinth... #folkhorror #horrorfilm #horrorfilms #horrormovies #horrormovie #horrorfestival
filmfreeway.com
Darkness in the Fields Film Festival 2027
Darkness in the Fields is a one-day film festival running each March/April in Derby, serving up a day of folk horror features, shorts and more. Our events to...
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Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I've just put up another new Romancing the Gothic talk for October. Really excited to hear from Carolina Barcelos about contemporary Latin American women writing the Gothic and horror! October 10th at 4 and 9pm BST 4 - buytickets.at/romancingthe... 9 - buytickets.at/romancingthe...
buytickets.at
Select tickets – Latin American Women Are Speaking: Horror and Gothic in Our Contemporary Literature with Carolina Barcelos – Zoom
Latin American Women Are Speaking: Horror and Gothic in Our Contemporary Literature with Carolina Barcelos – Zoom, Sat 10 Oct 2026 - Our series of talks is funded exclusively by donations. The talks a...
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International Gothic Association @igagoths.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Join the @gothicstudies.bsky.social editorial team! Gothic Studies is pleased to announce a number of editorial positions: 2 associate editors and 1 North American reviews editor. Click here for more information and to apply: www.globalgoth.org/blog/join-th...
globalgoth.org
Join the Gothic Studies editorial team - Gothic Association
Gothic Studies is pleased to announce a number of editorial positions.
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This very much looks like you have become the host of a horror anthology, welcoming everyone to your next curious tale.
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Top alt-text game throughout! And great pictures.
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International Gothic Association @igagoths.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The International Gothic Association is pleased to invite submissions to our biennial Early Career Essay Prize: www.globalgoth.org/blog/the-int...
globalgoth.org
The International Gothic Association Early-Career Essay Prize 2027-28 - Gothic Association
The International Gothic Association is pleased to invite submissions to our biennial Early Career Essay Prize.
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Melanie Williams @britfilmmelanie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Excited to be keynote speaker for this essential biennial conference where all the feminist media historians gather!
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University of Wales Press @uniwalespress.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Join @drdarrengray.bsky.social at the BFI London Film Festival! He'll be speaking to Adam Pearson about his new book, Horror and Disability: Representations of Disability in Twenty-First-Century Film and Television. 📆18 October 🕡️1pm 📍BFI Reuben Library, BFI Southbank 🎟️Tickets go live 10am 1 October
whatson.bfi.org.uk
Monstrous? Rethinking Disability in Horror | BFI London Film Festival 2026
Dr Darren Gray joins us to discuss his book, Horror and Disability: Representations of Disability in Twenty-First-Century Film and Television.
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Erin Sebo @erinsebo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Out soon with Manchester University Press! The artefact is from a 6th century hoard found near Lejre, where part of Beowulf takes place. And the book will be available at the Lejre Museum!
Cover of "Beowulf and the Economy of Emotion" out soon with Manchester University Press
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Paul Cornell @paulcornell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The new episode of Telefantasy Time Jump is out now, free wherever you get your podcasts! Join @lizbethmyles.bsky.social and I as we watch the children's masterpiece that is The Tomorrow People. www.patreon.com/TelefantasyT... #TomorrowPeople
patreon.com
Telefantasy Time Jump #21: The Tomorrow People (1973) | Telefantasy Time Jump
In our twenty-first main episode, Liz and Paul watch the great ITV children's show The Tomorrow People, specifically the first episode ('The
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University of Wales Press @uniwalespress.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
New in paperback! 'Beyond the Lesbian Vampire' by @drsamtabet.bsky.social is a groundbreaking dive into the pervasive archetype of the violent lesbian, examining this historically problematic figure within cultural and cinematic imagination. 📚️ www.uwp.co.uk/book/beyond-...
‘This volume is a lively and thoughtful analysis of recent horror  films including The Neon Demon (2016), Knife + Heart (2018), and Lizzie (2018). Exploring these films within the contexts of New Queer Horror, Tabet shows how they rescript the “violent
 lesbian” to explore concerns specifically related to LGBTQ+ audiences, including assimilation, family and race. Filled with brilliant insights and detailed analyses, Beyond the Lesbian Vampire is an important contribution to the ever-growing field
 of queer horror scholarship.’

 Professor Harry M. Benshoff, University of North Texas
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🧟‍♀️ Liza Frank @lilithepunk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Woo hoo! 🥳 #BBC500Words
🚨 BBC 500 Words opens for submissions on Tuesday 29th September at 8am! 🚨

The UK’s biggest children’s story-writing competition is back - inviting young storytellers to write the kind of story they would love to read. No pressure around spelling, grammar or punctuation - it’s all about creativity! Plus, there are loads of prizes to be won!

🕒 Entry deadline: Friday 6th November at 9pm

📣 Could you be a volunteer judge? 500 Words are looking for teachers, teaching assistants, SEND staff, and library staff to help read and judge entries. (It's great fun! This will be my third year judging.)

👉 Find out more: www.bbc.co.uk/500words

Remember, every story submitted is in with chance of winning 500 books for their school as well as a literacy wall art.
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A fantastic line-up of talent joining us for a day of Gothic and ghostly workshops and interviews - WINTER HAUNTS will be running on the 14th November, and we're online so you can join us from anywhere! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-hau... #Gothicfiction #Gothic #spooky #supernatural
eventbrite.co.uk
WINTER HAUNTS 2026
Ghost story, gothic and supernatural fiction day Saturday 14th November, 10:30am-6:30pm approx Online via Google Meet
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Simon Guerrier @0tralala.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
News! Launch event for my new biography, Written by Terrance Dicks, on Wednesday 25 November at the Portico Library in Manchester: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend... @porticolibrary.bsky.social @tenacrebooks.bsky.social #DoctorWho Yes, that is the anniversary of The Five Doctors.
theportico.org.uk
TerranceDicks — The Portico Library
New biography of prolific children's author Terrance Dicks, who is best known for his time as script editor and writer on Doctor Who.
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Richard Wells @slipperyjack.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Here's a bit of a Friday Shop Plug: 👁️ Haunted lino prints and defaced books! 👁️ Every order placed between now and Sunday night will receive a free A5 Vinegar Tom printed on luxury laid card! 👁️ slipperyjack.bigcartel.com
Two haunted lino prints along with a 'V is for Vinegar Tom' art card.Close shot on Vinegar Tom.
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Likewise. And I could do with a rest, but there’s so much to do!
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Oh, Etsy, you’re so broken! Full of AI imagery, and constantly presenting me with the items that I’ve pressed “See less of these” on. Presenting me with a “Specially selected for you based on your recent browsing” that’s based on a misclick trying to hit that “see less” is additionally annoying!
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Happy X-Files day, 33 years ago today since the landmark series premiered! And may I take the opportunity to mention this book celebrating its legacy! www.bloomsbury.com/uk/legacy-of...
bloomsbury.com
The Legacy of The X-Files
The Legacy of The X-Files examines the content and production of the show, its reception, its use of legend and folklore, its contemporary resonance in politics…
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Eddie Robson @eddierobson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
TITLE AND COVER REVEAL: My next novel, Painting With A Dead God's Blood, will be published on 22 June 2027. us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
Painting With A Dead God's Blood by Eddie Robson. The cover shows a mural of alien beings in a street in Kyoto.
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Darryl Jones @profdarryljones.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
‘For the Dead Remember: The Life of M. R. James’ is published today! Seven years in the writing, many more in the planning, and - here it is!
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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Get those Christmas vibes going with us this December as we present our biggest run of festive lectures yet, taking in an array of seasonal (and spooky) topics! www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-... #xmas #Christmas #festive #Xmaslectures #Christmaslectures
eventbrite.com
Christmas Lecture Series 2026
A series of five online Christmas lectures, across a wide range of festive topics!
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Dr Diane A Rodgers @dianearodgers.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Pleasantly amazed to report that, after only a few days of my book launch being announced, there are suddenly only a third of tickets left for this event! If you fancy getting one whilst they're available, the link is here: tickts.co.uk/events/book-...
tickts.co.uk
Book launch - Wyrd TV: Folklore, Folk Horror and British Television
Book launch event, in association with Sensoria Festival, for WYRD TV: FOLKLORE, FOLK HORROR AND BRITISH TELEVISION.  Featuring author and folk-horror scholar Dr Diane A. Rodgers in conversation with....
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Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Hello again! If you've been considering joining my online Gothic course with the University of Liverpool... there are still places and we need three more sign ups to run the course. Come join us for a deep dive in the 18th and early 19th century Gothic! www.liverpool.ac.uk/continuing-e...
liverpool.ac.uk
The Rise of the Gothic: 1764-1820 | Continuing Education | University of Liverpool
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Derek Johnston @drdjohnston.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Sudden moment of existential dread.
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