Gothic writers embrace the genre for its inclusive and representational nature. The genre is, in effect, a palimpsest as it prominently features both the past and memory. The creators in the genre continue to create plots that center on women, queer, transgender, and racialized characters and create stories that address societal inequalities. The environment (the Ecogothic) also continues to be a prominent character in the genre.

Call For PapersThe William James Society and its peer-reviewed journal William James Studies invite article submissions from scholars with diverse interests and approaches to the life and work of William James. We are particularly interested in articles that reflect William James’s work (psychology, philosophy, metaphysics, etc.) as it intersects with modern concerns and interpretive contexts. The William James Society is a multidisciplinary professional society that supports the study of, and communication about, the life and work of James and his ongoing influence in the many fields to which he contributed. William James Studies can be found on several subscription databases, including the Modern Language Association.

Dear colleagues,

Following the roundtable La (r)évolution sera queer: Queer Resistance in the French and Francophone World which took place at NeMLA in March 2025, we decided to put together an edited collection of essays addressing the diverse, multifaceted, and malleable concept of queerness and its revolutionary and revolutionizing aspects. We're looking for scholars interested in exploring the queer as a “floating signifier”  (Bernini, Lorenzo. Queer Theories: an Introduction : From Mario Mieli to the Antisocial Turn, Taylor & Francis Group, 2020) and “queering” as an action, an exploration, and a process. 

Talking About Slavery: Abolitionism, Censorship, and Free Speech

The Society of Nineteenth-Century Americanists Biennial Conference

March 12-14, 2026, Cincinnati, OH

We seek submissions for a Critical Insights volume, under contract with Salem Press, exploring the evolving role of sidekicks across literary and popular culture. From Sancho Panza and Don Quixote to Robin and Batman; Queequeg and Ishmael to Patrick and SpongeBob; John Watson and Sherlock Holmes to Ethel and Lucy; Jim and Huck to Goose and Maverick—sidekicks have often served as more than mere comic relief or supporting characters. They shape plot, provide emotional resonance, sharpen protagonists’ identities, and offer subversive alternatives to mainstream narratives. Some of the sidekicks far outshine their counterparts.

UPDATED: SEEKING ESSAYS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS, SEE DESCRIPTION AND LIST BELOW

CFP: “Provocations” for American Gothic Studies

American Gothic Studies is seeking short essays for its “Provocations” section. These pieces (2,000 words) are meant to question conventional wisdom, tackle compelling issues, or advance new theses about the American Gothic as an academic field or pedagogical subject. Please note that they are not traditional essays.

At this time, we are interested in essays that revisit, interrogate, and update older concepts and terms. Some examples might include (but are not limited to) the following:

The narrative of women in Indian print culture reflects a dynamic interplay of struggle and achievement, where, despite significant contributions, women's voices were frequently marginalized, and societal expectations and institutional barriers often constrained their roles. This complex history underscores the ongoing need for a more inclusive historical narrative that fully acknowledges the diverse and critical roles women have played
in shaping print culture in India.

Friday October 24, 2024

Lonesome Dove at 40: McMurtry, Mythmaking, and the Reimagining of the American Southwest

A Larry McMurtry Symposium

November 14–15, 2025 Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas Co-Sponsored by SMU English’s Narrative Now Initative and the Clements Center for Southwest Studies

Organizers:

Dr. Christopher González
English, SMU
[ctgonzalez@smu.edu]

Dr. Ariel Ron
History, SMU
[aron@mail.smu.edu]

Abel Fenwick
English, U of Arkansas
[fenwick@uark.edu]

Atras Journal: Call for Papers - Varia

Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2026

Atras Journal is now inviting scholars from around the globe to submit their unpublished manuscripts for publication. The journal aims to contribute to the body of knowledge by publishing original papers in the fields of literature, gender studies, cultural studies, linguistics, education, language studies, translation, social sciences, and arts. Researchers are invited to submit their manuscripts in English, Arabic, and French.

Presentation 

Call for Papers

Child's Play in Popular Culture: History, representations and consumption

PopCRN – The Popular Culture Network invites scholars to explore the diverse representations of childhood in popular culture at a virtual symposium to be held online on 30 April – 1 May 2026.

From dolls and board games to digital playgrounds and interactive media, the concept of play has been a defining aspect of childhood across cultures and historical periods. Popular culture has both shaped and been shaped by children’s play, reflecting broader societal values, anxieties, and technological advancements.

Call for Papers

“Living in a Material World”: The 1980s in Popular Culture

PopCRN (the Popular Culture Network) will be holding a free virtual symposium exploring the 1980s in popular culture to be held 26-27 November 2026.

The 1980s was the decade of excess, technological innovation, and political upheaval. This conference aims to explore both the popular culture of the 1980s and how the 1980s have been depicted in the popular culture of other eras.

Call for Papers: Horror Videogames: A Companion

Editors: Dr Connor Jackson and Dr Ewan Kirkland

This publication – which is planned for submission to Peter Lang’s Genre Fiction and Film Companions series – aims to provide readers with an accessible yet scholarly overview of the historical, cultural, technological and aesthetic dimensions of the horror videogame, organised around an extensive series of short case studies. Accordingly, we are seeking abstracts for a series of shorter chapters presenting critical analyses of key titles in the genre’s history.

The process of coming out is often framed as a moment of self-realization, a turning point where individuals gain profound insight into their sexual orientation or gender identity. This panel seeks to explore how literature, film, television, and video games depict the mental, psychological, and emotional processes that LGBT individuals undergo as they recognize and articulate their identities.