cfp.english.upenn.edu

Seeking proposals for a panel (& book project) on “The End of Postmodernism in the Digital Age.” I am interested in a broad spectrum of approaches focusing on creative writing, including: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, and film. I welcome abstracts from convergent and divergent perspectives.

Concept: In reaction to the Modernist objective reality, the postmodern movement championed the subjective voice. Exemplified by poets like Allen Ginsberg, Robert Hayden, Sylvia Plath, and Adrienne Rich, these poets opened the door for what was anachronistically a multicultural perspective. Though, creative writing has evolved into what it originally intended to react against with a distinctive subjective trait now dominating the literary experience. The splintering of the subjective voice in the Digital Age of late-twentieth century writing now reflects the abundant populace of global identities, but it fails to present an objective reality of the contemporary human condition. The subjective voice marginalizes the ordinary, quotidian human experience that flourishes between life and death.

A writer must remember that she/he is one among billions on this planet and therefore must embody this global sensibility when presenting their view of humanity.

Contact: rubenquesada [at] gmail [dot] com