cfp.english.upenn.edu

(In)Scribing Gender: International Female Writers and the Creative Process
Edited by Jen Bouchard
Diversion Press (www.diversionpress.com)

The purpose of the (In)Scribing Gender anthology is to explore the creative processes of women writing fiction, non-fiction and poetry from multiple cultural contexts, in different styles, and within various disciplines. Through personal anecdotes, interviews, articles, narratives and essays, established and emerging female writers from diverse backgrounds (and those who write about them) will expound on topics such as creative inspiration, locating the muse, the limitations and liberties associated with categorization and labels (academic, institutional, social, artistic, literary, or other), conducting literary or scholarly research as a woman, cultural perceptions of female writers, female/feminine literature, feminist literature, and gendered representations. This anthology will examine how gender shapes an author’s creative process and the ways in which gender tints the lens through which a writer’s work is viewed by literary and/or academic audiences.

In both academic and literary circles, specific labels (and their attendant expectations) are often foisted upon, or in some cases chosen by, female writers. One of the goals of this anthology is to begin to deconstruct these culturally specific (in terms of literary, academic and global cultures) categories, both imagined and real.

To articulate and overcome the myriad gender-related social challenges of the twenty-first century, the world’s creative literary and academic minds must unite. In this vein, (In)Scribing Gender will encourage dialogue between international female authors and provide a global readership with the opportunity to more fully comprehend the intricacies of the creative process as it applies specifically to women writers.

Essays, articles and narratives on (but not limited to) the following themes are encouraged. We welcome a wide range of disciplines, topics, and stylistic, theoretical and methodological approaches. Entries may be self-referential or focus on another writer’s process. Contributors are also welcome to submit interviews related to these themes.

- Inspiration, the muse, the creative spark
- Culling, organizing, and articulating ideas for an article, story, poem or book
- Verbal and written imagery (drawing from the theories of Mitchell, Paivio and others)
- Academic writing as a creative endeavor
- Theories of creativity, gender and audience reception as they relate to the creative process (drawing from the theories of Benjamin, Adorno, Arieti, Wertheimer, Ghiselin, Wallace and others)
- Negotiating gendered literary themes and gendered representations (women writing on men and women, creating gender-specific fictional characters)
- Language and gender
- Poetry written by and for women
- Gender and authorial authenticity
- Writings on gender, culture and sexuality
- Feminist vs./and/or feminine literature

All entries should be between 5,000-10,000 words. Interested contributors should email an abstract of around 300 words, a short bio, and a current CV to Jen Bouchard at jtwestmore@yahoo.com by August 15, 2009. Completed manuscripts will be due by December 15, 2009.

Jen Bouchard
World Languages Faculty
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota
(953) 334 7313