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Dr Helen Williams

@drwilliams.bsky.social
325 followers 165 following 58 posts

Associate Professor of Literature & UKRI Future Leaders Fellow 📚 Author of Laurence Sterne & the C18 Book (CUP, 2021) 📚 Co-editor of John Cleland’s Letters (CUP, 2024) 📚 Working on a global history of women in book production

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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Prof. Allie Alvis 🌷 @book-historia.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Are you familiar with the University of Washington special collections Decorative and Decorated Papers digital collection? If not, you SHOULD be... what a cool resource! digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/coll...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Printing Historical Society have lots of free books to go out to reviewers. We ask for 5-800 words, and you'd have up to a year for the task. Let me know if anything takes your fancy! www.printinghistoricalsociety.org.uk/society-publ...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Top 5 articles from last month in the Shandean journal. Read more here: www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/journal/shan...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The Shandean journal is pleased to support this conference, in Aix-en-Provence, Autumn 2027. The theme is travel and cultural exchanges in the age of Sterne, meaning you don't have to be a Sternean to join us! CFP deadline, February 2027. www.fabula.org/actualites/1...
fabula.org
‘Lessons in mutual toleration’? Travel and Cultural Exchanges in the Age of Sterne (Aix-Marseille Université)
[CFP] ‘Lessons in mutual toleration’? Travel and Cultural Exchanges in the Age of Sterne International conference – Aix-Marseille Université, Nov. 8-10, 2027.  Organizing committee: Nathalie Bernard,…
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Our Finding Aid of 18th-century women in the Stationers' Company is LIVE! Here I reflect on some of the pitfalls facing the scholar of female apprentices. Let me know if it's useful! www.amdigital.co.uk/insights/blo...
A detail from the gutter margins of a manuscript apprentice register, featuring entries of apprentices turned over in an eighteenth-century secretary hand.
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Join the wonderful Tania Hershman for an evening Zoom masterclass with Arvon: The Journey from Academic to General Readership Permission to experiment 10/10 recommend: see you there! www.arvon.org/writing-cour...
arvon.org
Masterclass: The Journey from Academic to General Readership | Permission to experiment | Arvon
Academics encounter fascinating stories in their research and archival work, but don’t often have the storytelling and writing tools to share these stories in creative and playful ways. Whether…
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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
KU Leuven Libraries Special Collections @speccoll-kuleuven.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Want to read a watermark but there’s too much text on it? Then use the magic eraser. It’s really simple: you upload a photo and the image appears without the ink. #siteoftheweek
images.erdmann.io
Magic Eraser: Ink be gone.
Automatic removal of ink from transmitted light images with a neural network.
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Honoured and excited to give this year’s annual Women’s History Lecture at St. Andrew’s this Thursday. I’ll be speaking about my new project, Towards a Global History of Women in Book Production 1600-1900 📚
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
For #InternationalWomensDay I wrote about the history of women in Stationers' Company, sharing outputs from my @britishacademy.bsky.social Innovation Fellowship with @stationerscomms.bsky.social 📚 animation 📚 online exhibition 📚 finding aid of women in the apprentice registers okt.to/ARVDHM
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
For #InternationalWomensDay I wrote about the history of women in Stationers' Company, sharing outputs from my @britishacademy.bsky.social Innovation Fellowship with @stationerscomms.bsky.social 📚 animation 📚 online exhibition 📚 finding aid of women in the apprentice registers okt.to/ARVDHM
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Each year, Liverpool University Press offers a free issue of each journal. This year's free Shandean is volume 32 (2021), featuring philosophy, translation, travel, double entendre, the provincial book trade, and Whig politics, & gorgeous images. www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/shandean...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
We're in paperback! And we have a discount code! *Myth and (Mis)Information: Constructing the Medical Professions in Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century English Literature and Culture* manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526195425/
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Last Chance: Pandemic Artefacts We've extended the deadline for our call for objects to 30 Jan. Our project features items acquired by members of the public, across the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their personal stories. app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
BSECS @bsecs.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Our President's Prize is awarded to the best paper delivered by a #PGR at #BSECS2026. Nominate papers electronically (see the QR code in your programme) or do it the old fashioned way by handing over your handwritten form at the registration desk. Deadline Sunday 11 January at MIDNIGHT #skystorians
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Sarah Fox @sarahfoxhistory.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
LOOK! My conference paper and my location are in perfect synch! #BSECS2026 #foodhist #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Reviewers sought for Journal of the Printing Historical Society: 📚 Achille Davy-Rigaux and Eric Kindel, eds., Stencilled Music Books in France, 1669–1841 [open access special issue] 📚 Richard Ardagh, Type Archived [book] ECRs and printers welcome!
typography.network
Typography papers 10 – Typography & Graphic Communication
The articles in this tenth volume of Typography papers were first essayed at ‘Rencontres musicologiques de Valenciennes: “Le livre de musique au pochoir: techniques, répertoires, ateliers”’, a…
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
*The Shandean* top-read articles in December: The amazing Amelia Dale got a Christmas number one! The top three are open access and you can read more at: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/journal/shan...
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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Daniel Bellingradt @dbellingradt.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
For decades, a cacophony of technological prophets has repeatedly proclaimed the impending end of the paper era. But here we still are, a paper-using humankind. @agnesgehbald.bsky.social and me wrote an article about paper in global book cultures. #paperhistory is #bookhistory, #globalhistory 1/3
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
We have a copy of Richard Ardagh's beautiful *Type Archived* book to review for the *Journal of the Printing Historical Society*. Who's gonna snap it up? I'm sore tempted myself... vol.co/collections/...
vol.co
Type Archived
A publishing platform for books on visual culture
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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Ida Tolgensbakk @idatolgensbakk.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Recently, we at @norskfolkemuseum.bsky.social had a visit from @ostfoldmuseene.bsky.social to look at the dragon we are keeping in our collection. Yes, we have A REAL DRAGON BONE IN OUR COLLECTION! #museumlife
Drawing. A dragon in a landscape, which, according to the Italian inscription, lived in the swamps outside Rome on December 1, 1691. On the left a bridge over a river.
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John Raimo @johnraimo.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Brought to mind this wonderful book (and talk) from Anthony Grafton (@scaliger.bsky.social) as well; one for #bookhistory folks and #skystorians: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUC...
youtube.com
Codex in Crisis | Anthony Grafton | Talks at Google
YouTube video by Talks at Google
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
We have a copy of Richard Ardagh's beautiful *Type Archived* book to review for the *Journal of the Printing Historical Society*. Who's gonna snap it up? I'm sore tempted myself... vol.co/collections/...
vol.co
Type Archived
A publishing platform for books on visual culture
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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
We have two vacancies on the Council of the *British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies*: 1. Postgraduate Representative 2. Communications Officer Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life! More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
bsecs.org.uk
Vacancies - BSECS
Vacancies on the Council This page gives details of any current vacancies on the BSECS Council. Vacancies are normally advertised in the autumn of the year and appointments are made or elections held ...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Call for Objects: Pandemic Artefacts We would like to feature items acquired by members of the public, across the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their personal stories. app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
I wrote about the 1728 arrest of Elizabeth Nutt and her accomplices for a libellous issue of *Mist's Journal*. The list of prisoners tells us 📘 even housekeepers, servants, and maids were suspected 📗 female networks were key to the opposition press www.vmop.org.uk/blog/elizabe... #bookhistory
vmop.org.uk
Elizabeth Nutt’s Network: Prisoners of the Persian Libel — Virtual Museum of Printing
Helen Williams, Northumbria University   Elizabeth Nutt née Carr (1666?-1746) ran one of the most important wholesale businesses of the early eighteenth-century book trade. For three decades, her…
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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 12/12/2025
The theme is “periphery and identity” and will be held June 30 and July 1st 2026 — which I note runs up against Playful Learning Association’s meeting (on “adult learning”) 1-3 July.
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
We have two vacancies on the Council of the *British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies*: 1. Postgraduate Representative 2. Communications Officer Happy to answer any questions about @bsecs.bsky.social Council life! More info here: www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
bsecs.org.uk
Vacancies - BSECS
Vacancies on the Council This page gives details of any current vacancies on the BSECS Council. Vacancies are normally advertised in the autumn of the year and appointments are made or elections held ...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
*The Journal of the Printing Historical Society* is looking for book reviewers! Latest offering linked here but let us know if you'd like to be approached for others, or if you have a book to be reviewed. www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/... #bookreviews
oakknoll.com
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Excited for the forum tomorrow - everyone welcome! northeastforum.wordpress.com/current-sche...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
*The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice* is out now, featuring our essay on pandemic arts at Shandy Hall and Abbotsford: 'Creative Programming in the Literary Heritage Sector amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic'. www.routledge.com/The-Routledg... #Pandemic #LiteraryHeritage #Museums
routledge.com
The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice
The Routledge Handbook of Heritage and Creative Practice explores the role of creativity as a tool for critical engagement with heritage. It provides a comprehensive study of ways in which heritage…
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Reposted by Dr Helen Williams
DeclanKavanagh.bsky.social @drdeclankavanagh.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Only a few days until registration closes: Nov 30th #18c #BSECS2026 Make sure you get registered. When it is closed, it is closed!
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Bluestockings in the Shandean 😍
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
New issue of The Shandean journal! Featuring articles on Sterne, Fielding, and an edition of Sarah Scott's correspondence. Many thanks to the editorial board, Drs Newbould, Dale, Lipski & Hobday. @livunipress.bsky.social @northumbriauni.bsky.social liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/10.3828/...
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
Contents | The Shandean 35,
Forty-three previously unpublished letters from the novelist Sarah Scott and Lady Barbara Montagu to George Aust, a civil servant who benefited from their generosity and mentorship, are introduced, transcribed, and annotated. The letters expand Scott’s ...
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Giles Bergel @chapbookpro.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
The (partial) return of Bodleian Ballads - bibsoc.org.uk/councils-cho...
bibsoc.org.uk
Council’s Choice for November 2025 - Bibliographical Society
The (Partial) Return of the Bodleian Broadside Ballads Something about broadside ballads has recommended them as subjects for digital resources. As popular, ephemeral publications they have always pro...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Women and the Household in the Early Modern Book Trades - a very special conference in the most amazing printing/historic house museum, The Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp ❤️
Courtyard garden of the Plantin-Moretus printing museum, featuring cobbled walkways between box planting and surrounded by early modern architecture.
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Nina Lamal @ninalamal.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
For those visiting Antwerp (esp. those of you attending for the Women&Household in Book Trade conference next week) do not forget to go and visit this library gem as well! #bookhistory
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Zanna Van Loon @zannavanloon.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
What a day! Had a great time hearing all these specialists talk about the self-evident involvement of women in the book production. Now time for dinner at the most beautiful location at the Samenloop restaurant housed in the former Maiden’s House of Antwerp!
Courtyard of an early modern house, the Maiden’s house with brick walls and cheerful lights hanging up
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Zanna Van Loon @zannavanloon.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
‘Women’s traces of involvement in the #earlymodern book trade are there in the archives, just sitting there waiting to be reconnected with research.’ - Opening keynote lecture of Susan Broomhall perfectly capturing the essence of our conference Women & The Household in the Early Modern Book Trade!
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Dr. Katie Sagal @aksagal.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Hello #academicsky! I'm sharing a cfp for an edited collection on "Naming & Classifying," pulled together by me, Kristin Girten, & @aaronrhanlon.com . We'd love to see your work! Please also circulate to anyone you think might be interested. Deadline 10/31. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com
Naming and Classifying cfp final
CFP: Naming and Classifying in the Long Eighteenth Century Whereas “the nineteenth century can be seen as the century of counting and measuring,” the eighteenth century can be seen as the century of ...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Big news! Still pinching myself 📚
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Following on from our pilot event, the Arvon Foundation have launched another writing masterclass for academics creating public-facing material. 16th September 7-9pm, with author and climate scientist Peter Stott MBE, registration £40/£20 concessions. www.arvon.org/writing-cour...
arvon.org
Masterclass: from Academic to General Non-Fiction | Writing that connects | Arvon
If you have an academic background, how do you find a place for creativity in your writing? Academics often capture fascinating stories in their research and archival work, but they don’t necessarily ...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
There’s still time 🕰️
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Deadline 31 August 💚
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Free event on Republican Bodies: Medicine, Natural Philosophy and Politics. Durham, 18 September. Register here: sway.cloud.microsoft/bOqX8R8HZsw2...
sway.cloud.microsoft
Republican Bodies: Medicine, Natural Philosophy and Politics
7 Owengate, Durham University, DH1 3HB
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
This looks amazing!
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Liverpool University Press @livunipress.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
📚 Most read in The Shandean this week: 'The Life of Books in Tristram Shandy' by Judith Hawley Read it online: bit.ly/Books-Shandean ‪‪ @drwilliams.bsky.social ‪ @shandyhall.bsky.social @lsternetrust.bsky.social @antiquaries.bsky.social‬ @llc-rhul.bsky.social‬
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Audiobook listeners! Please could you complete our 5-min survey on northern voices? And please share widely! app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbri...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
Northern Audiobooks
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Fully-funded PhD with the @britishlibrary and @NorthumbriaUni 'The Northern Echo and the Politics of Place' Deadline 31 May for an October start www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/pos...
northumbria.ac.uk
Northern Bridge Consortium (NBC) Doctoral Training Partnership
Northumbria University is a member of the Northern Bridge Consortium, a doctoral training partnership in which we collaborate with Durham, Newcastle, Queen's Belfast, Sunderland, Teesside and Ulster U...
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The Brief Lives 2025 Essay Award is open to UK and Ireland based writers under 35 - deadline 30 September, word limit 3,000. The biographical subject, or subjects, should be historical figures of significance. See elhb.uk/brieflives for more details about the Award, including eligibility.
elhb.uk
Brief Lives Essay Award - ELHB
Elizabeth Longford Brief Lives 2025 Essay Award for Historical Biography is open to UK residents aged 35 and younger
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Dr Helen Williams @drwilliams.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The BSECS-Northumbria Fellowship offers up to £4000 to research the history, culture, literature, and/or identity of the North East of England and the Scottish Borders in the long eighteenth century. Deadline for applications is 31 May 2025. Find out more at www.bsecs.org.uk/prizes-and-a...
bsecs.org.uk
Prizes and awards Archive - BSECS
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