January 2026

Call for Papers! Games And Horror, a Psychgeist series

Games And Horror, a Psychgeist series, edited by Chrstine Tomlinson. The allure of horror in media is sometimes difficult to fully understand. It can be uncomfortable, engaging us in discourse, content, and aesthetics that are disturbing, frightening, and sometimes disgusting. This is seemingly at odds with the major typical reasons to engage with media: relaxation and leisure. Despite these elements of horror, however, it can be found across media types and has been reflecting cultural fears and finding audiences since gothic horror literature emerged in the late 1700s, providing those consuming this media with allegories, metaphorical representations of cultural fears,...

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Play Story Book Talk – The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher

In this Book Talk, Rachel Kowert chats about her book, The Psychgeist of Pop Culture - The Witcher. https://playstorypress.org/books/the-psychgeist-of-pop-culture-the-witcher/ In a world where mean are monsters and monsters are men - who is the real monster? The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher delves into the psychology of the characters and stories of this popular franchise. From the original book collection to best-selling video game series, to the hugely popular Netflix show, The Witcher is a transmedia experience that has captivated hearts and minds across the globe. In this series of edited essays, we explore the psychology behind what makes...

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Call for Papers! The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Studio Ghibli

The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Studio Ghibli, edited by Alex MacLellan Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985, is known around the world as the animation studio bringing works such as Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbour Totoro to the big and small screens. With a characteristic art style indelibly linked with childlike joy and a strong focus on moral storytelling, Ghibli movies are eagerly anticipated and cherished by fans old and new alike. The influence of the studio beyond Japan and the animation industry is clear, with comparisons to the studio or legendary director Hayao Miyazaki a byword for quality,...

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