iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

It’s the season finale of the UK Traitors tonight, and if you’ve been thinking to yourself, I wonder where they get the idea for all of this, then boy do we have an episode for you: open.spotify.com/episode/5zeP... #TheTraitors #GothicGames

open.spotify.com

44: The Traitors, a Gothic Game

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Real ghouls match their bookmarks to their books. Did you check out our spooky season reading recommendations? We had weird and witchy reads (including CJ Cooke’s The Ghost Woods, pictured) as well as some culty and corrupt options. Listen: shorturl.at/f5yA9 (other podcast platforms available!)

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

I promise we wrote and recorded this before we had any idea about the South Park Labubu episode but if you watched that and wanted some more backstory, why not check out our latest episode!

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

THEY’RE BURNING THE LABUBUS. The Association is in session and we’re discussing the Labubu craze, the people crying demon, and the Gothic history of moral panics. Guest starring Lauren’s Labubus, obviously. Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/26fk...

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

This evening’s meeting of the Ghoul Guides Association is Lauren’s thought on Wednesday season 2 so far, as well as some recommending reading if you’re looking for some more dark academia, mystery or weirdness. Spotify link (or find us on other platofrms!) open.spotify.com/episode/6IkC...

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Dr Lauren Nixon @laurenjnixon.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

A coworker said to me ‘you watch horror right’ and I explained that actually, I don’t, @mazgoing.bsky.social explains the plots to me on the Internet because I get too scared.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

What do zombies have to do with masculinity, empire and identity? Everything, it turns out! Listen now on your favourite podcast platform or head over to our YouTube for our review of 28 Years Later (2025) featuring special guest @kathleenh42.bsky.social and a discussion of the franchise so far

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

If you listened to our recent episode and felt a craving for Butter, it’s on the half price offer in Waterstones! A confronting exploration of femininity and consumption that will leave you uncomfortably hungry. This isn’t an ad, we just can’t walk past a Waterstones without going inside okay.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

In case you missed it, there’s a new episode up from us! Other podcast platforms are available - and you can also find us on YouTube. open.spotify.com/episode/6HER...

open.spotify.com

29: Butter (2024) - Recommendations

The Ghoul Guides Association · Episode

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Have you read Asako Yuzuki’s ‘Butter’ yet? This week at the Ghoul Guides Association, @laurenjnixon.bsky.social reviews the global bestseller and recommends some more reading! #GothsAssemble

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Ghouls, what does the sublime, the British Empire and custard creams all have in common? Pteridomania, baby! On this meeting of The Ghoul Guides Association, Lauren deep dives the Victorian cult of the fern - and its Gothic influences. Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/30WD... #GothsAssemble

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

The June edition of our new horror movie round up for the easily scared, So, You Don’t Like Horror is now live on Spotify and other reputable podcasting platforms, as well as our YouTube! #GothsAssemble #HorrorReviews open.spotify.com/episode/5W6S...

open.spotify.com

27: So, You Don't Like Horror - June 2025

The Ghoul Guides Association · Episode

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University of Wales Press @uniwalespress.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

‘The Gothic at War: Masculinity in Conflict, 1760 – 1818' by @laurenjnixon.bsky.social‬ is an in depth exploration of how the Gothic literature boom of the late-eighteenth century was a response and reaction to the expansion of the British empire. 📚 www.uwp.co.uk/book/the-got...

‘The Gothic at War is a significant and timely work.
Drawing on a range of representative Gothic narratives,
Dr Nixon convincingly interrogates how the trauma of
contemporary warfare may be imbricated in ostensibly
historical fictions, and how gentlemanly masculinity may
be readily distorted by the apparent necessity of
violence. Meticulously researched and lyrically written,
The Gothic at War will prove a key text for both Gothicists
and more general scholars of the Georgian period.’

William Hughes, Professor of Literature in English
University of Macau

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

I’m (Lauren) pleased to announce the safe arrival of my first child, ‘The Gothic at War’, weighing 75 pounds. It was a long and difficult birth but worth the effort. If you want to support my sweet child, why not order a copy for you library: www.uwp.co.uk/book/the-got... #AcademicChatter #Gothic

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Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Hey guys! Did you know Silvia Moreno Garcia is joining us for the RtG conference this year? Thought you might enjoy!

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Minutes of recent Ghoul Guides Association meetings: - moustaches, pros & cons - human wet wipes - rich people: cult? - Lauren mentions Silvia Moreno Garcia, repeatedly. Our review of Nosferatu (2024) and thoughts on Sirens (2025) inc. what to read next up now! open.spotify.com/show/24nPZ5p...

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

In case you missed it, the Ghoul Guide Association is back in session both in podcast form and on YouTube: youtu.be/2Dd-KiEzNoQ?... #HorrorChat #PopCulture #GothsAssemble

youtu.be

So You Don't Like Horror? Episode 1

YouTube video by The Ghoul Guides

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Are you a would be horror fan, who loves something spooky but finds on screen gore sends you squeamish? Well, do we have thing for you. Check out the first ep of our new monthly series, So, You Don’t Like Horror?, now: #horror reviews for the scared shitless open.spotify.com/episode/7Cky...

open.spotify.com

24: So, You Don't Like Horror - May 2025

The Ghoul Guides Association · Episode

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Hi, we’re the Ghoul Guides and we’re officially back from hiatus which means the Ghoul Guides Association is back in session. If you want to learn more about us and join or not so secret #gothic pop culture society, check out our trailer/explainer: open.spotify.com/episode/6gnz... #GothsAssemble

open.spotify.com

(Re)Introducing the Ghoul Guide Association

The Ghoul Guides Association · Episode

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 18/11/2023

AND if you haven't checked it out already don't miss our new Lore Dump minisode (available on your favourite podcast platform). In the first episode, Lauren explains exactly how #Gothic came to be as we know it: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/GmF5HR0CDEb #GothsAssemble #AcademicChatter

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 18/11/2023

New episode! This time Mary delves into the early modern era to explore the #Gothic history of witch trials, a King with a vendetta, a self-proclaimed Witch Finder General, and Lauren's dubious family history: Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gho... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp8L...

Title card for our episode. Text reads: "The Ghoul Guides Present: WITCHING HOUR: EARLY MODERN HUNTS. A Ghoul Guides Association Video." On a light pink background is a wood cut image of a witch and a devil figure both riding on broomsticks towards another woman.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 22/10/2023

The heavy rain drowned our internet connection and prevented the upload of Friday's episode, but we will not be silenced! The first part of our latest mini-series, Witching Hours, is now available. Podcast: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ZjSm4DkX6Db YouTube: youtu.be/cy6rwmtsFLU?...

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 16/10/2023

"And how often was he thrown into complete dismay by some rushing blast, howling among the trees, in the idea that it was the Galloping Hessian on one of his nightly scourings!" Washington Irving, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW #31DaysOfHalloween

Black and white photo taken in the woods, showing lots of trees, and in the foreground dead trees lying on the floor.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 16/10/2023

"My cognizance of the pit had become known to the inquisitorial agents-the pit whose horrors had been destined for so bold a recusant as myself-the pit, typical of hell, & regarded by rumor as the Ultima Thule of all their punishments." Edgar Allan Poe, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM #31DaysOfHalloween

Photograph of the Pit & Pendulum bar in Nottingham, with the black name written on a red sign.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 14/10/2023

‘It was not a haunting. It was possession and not even that, but something she couldn’t even begin to describe. The creation of an afterlife, furnished with the marrow and the bones and the neurons of a woman, made of stems and spores.’ Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno Garcia #31DaysOfHalloween

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Mary Going @mazgoing.bsky.social · 13/10/2023

What better way to spend Friday the 13th than at Mayhem film festival in Nottingham! And managed to sneak in dinner with my Ghoul Guide partner in crime Lauren 🖤

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 13/10/2023

“I've got to warn ya! You're doomed if you stay! Go. Go! […] You're doomed! You're all doomed!!” #31DaysOfHalloween #FridayThe13th #Mayhem

Photo of a Jason Vorhees hockey mask on a playing card (Jason from the Friday the 13th franchise) held in front of a tall mayhem film festival poster.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

"The ruin of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes, and which is the scene of part of "Marmion," where the girl was built up in the wall. It is a most noble ruin [...] there is a legend that a white lady is seen in one of the windows." Bram Stoker, DRACULA #31DaysOfHalloween

Black and white photo of Whitby Abbey, with its reflection able to be seen in the body of water in the foreground.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 11/10/2023

"Wouldst thou like the taste of butter? A pretty dress? Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?" THE WITCH #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of two goats in an inside enclosure, both looking at the camera and both with two horns. One goat is stood on a platform on the wall, and the other one is poking his head over a wooden fence.

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Mary Going @mazgoing.bsky.social · 10/10/2023

I love all of Syd Moore's witchy books, and THE DROWNING POOL is all about the local Leigh-on-Sea legend of Sarah Grey the sea-witch. And if you want to know more about Syd Moore's witch books, I wrote a blog post about them a few years ago: sheffieldgothic.home.blog/2018/08/21/t...

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 10/10/2023

"'Why the Drowning Pool?' [...] 'I guess it had something to do with local witches' [...] 'That's why locals say it was haunted. By the restless souls of the witches and innocents drowned there.'" Syd Moore, THE DROWNING POOL #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of the Thames estuary, showing a wall covered with seaweed descending into the water.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 09/10/2023

"When He woke, He found himself extended upon the pavement of the Church: It was Illuminated, and the chaunt of Hymns sounded from a distance [...] The Lamps had been lighted during his sleep, and the music which he heard was occasioned by the Monks." Matthew Lewis, THE MONK #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of Gothic church in twilight, with yellow light illuminating the bottom of the church. The big doors in the centre of the church are in darkness.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 08/10/2023

"The whole church took on something fantastic, supernatural, horrible; eyes & mouths were opened, here & there; one heard the dogs, the monsters, & the gargoyles of stone, which keep watch night & day, with outstretched neck & open jaws, around the monstrous cathedral, barking." #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of an ornate spire from which several gargoyles are sticking out.

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Kate Harvey @harveygothick.bsky.social · 07/10/2023

Grab a brew in your favourite gothic mug, new Ghoul Guides just dropped, with some book recs for spooky season! #GothsAssemble #podcast #GhoulGuides

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 07/10/2023

New episode of the Ghoul Guides Association has dropped! And in this episode (thanks to one of listeners for the request) Lauren and Mary discuss some of their fav Gothic books. 🎧 Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gho... 📺 Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tka...

Episode thumbnail. Text reads: "The Ghoul Guides Present: What should I read next? Gothic Book Recommendations. The image is a black and white photo of a book surrounded by a pair of glasses and a skull.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 07/10/2023

"Upon the ground within it stood a large chest, which he went forward to examine; and, lifting the lid, he saw the remains of a human skeleton. Horror struck upon his heart, and he involuntarily stepped back." Ann Radcliffe, THE ROMANCE OF THE FOREST #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of a Skeleton dressed in a white doctor's coat, a bow tie, and a pair of black glasses. He is standing in a shop, and looks like he is smiling. On his chest is a framed paragraph which says "Meet Mr. Bones."

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Mary Going @mazgoing.bsky.social · 06/10/2023

Poe's short story 'The Black Cat' was also (very, very loosely) adapted into a 1934 horror film starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi! 🐈‍⬛

Poster for 'The Black Cat' In the background a black cat is silhouetted with yellowy-greeny eyes casting beams. In the centre a man holds a woman, who appears to be unconscious. The heads of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff also appear disembodied.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 06/10/2023

"In speaking of his intelligence, my wife, who at heart was not a little tinctured with superstition, made frequent allusion to the ancient popular notion, which regarded all black cats as witches in disguise." Edgar Allan Poe, THE BLACK CAT #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of a black cat sitting on a paved part of a garden. In the background is the green lawn, a wall and some green plants. In the top left corner is exposure from the sun which is casting rays on the rest of the picture. The cat is also wearing a yellow collar.

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Evan Hayles Gledhill @gothicbodies.bsky.social · 05/10/2023

I'm talking about Englishness, murder by cheese wheel, and transgression in Midsomer! Join us on 15th October, for more affordable Gothic entertainment, from the comfort of your screen.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 05/10/2023

"The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea, The plowman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me." Thomas Gray, ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD #31DaysOfHalloween

Black and white image of a church and church yard filled with graves. There are clouds in the sky and a path in the middle leading to the church, with graves on either side.

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 04/10/2023

"You're lost, you're angry in the woods! And no one here is here to help you. There's a f*cking witch and she keeps leaving sh*t outside your door. There’s no one here to help you! She left little trinkets; you f*cking took one of them! " THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo taken in the woods in Sheffield. Among the trees and a canopy of green leaves, in the centre is one big tree against which has been piled long branches and sticks as if to make some kind of structure

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Tamika Thompson @tamikathompson.bsky.social · 03/10/2023

I'm pleased to share my review of Jordan Peele's #horror anthology, Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror. If you're thinking of grabbing a copy, Peele's book hits shelves today, and I do recommend it. gnofhorror.com/a-review-of-...

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Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 03/10/2023

I've updated the book group page! You can see what we're reading into November now! Please note: This week's book group has moved to Thursday (because I realised I can't be in two places at once!) romancingthegothic.com/book-group-a...

romancingthegothic.com

Book Groups and Author Visits

Each week we have a book group on Fridays. There are two slots: 10 am and 7 pm (BST) and you're very welcome to either, wherever you are in the world and however much you'd like to participate. To sig...

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 03/10/2023

"You may think this all strange nonsense; it may be strange, but it is true, and the ancients knew what lifting the veil means. They called it seeing the god Pan.” Arthur Machen, THE GREAT GOD PAN #31DaysOfHalloween

Photo of the Pan statue in Sheffield botanical gardens. Surrounded by green bushes and trees, a statue of Pan (a small boy-like figure) lounging on a tree with one arm outstretched - and the sun is in the background so it looks as if Pan is holding the sun

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 02/10/2023

"William Peveril [...] became the erecter of that Gothic fortress, which, hanging over the mouth of the Devil’s Cavern, so well known to tourists, gives the name of Castleton to the adjacent village." - Walter Scott, PEVERIL OF THE PEAK #31DaysOfHalloween

Black and white photo of Peveril Castle at Castleton. In the foreground on the left dark tree branches frame the castle in the background which stands on top of the top of the peak.

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Mary Going @mazgoing.bsky.social · 26/08/2023

New episode of the Ghoul Guide Association podcast featuring yours truly - and this week we're talking about Dybbuk possession and Dibbuk boxes! Watch on youtube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzHU...) or listen to the podcast version (podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gho...).

youtube.com

Dybbuk Possession: A Case of Attachment | Ghoul Guides Association

In this episode we'll be unboxing the Dibbuk box to explore the history of dybbuk possessions and to talk about where exactly the box fits in. Come for the p...

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The Ghoul Guides @ghoulguides.bsky.social · 01/10/2023

Happy first day of Halloween! And welcome to our new Ghoul Guides Bluesky. As always, you can watch or listen to the Ghoul Guides Association on youtube (www.youtube.com/@TheGhoulGui...) or your fav podcast platform. And stay tuned for more Gothic treats this spooky season 🎃 #31DaysOfHalloween

Black and white photo of Whitby Abbey, showing the ruins.

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