This volume will explore ‘ordinary writing’ – that is, ‘writing that is typically unseen or ignored and is primarily defined by its status as discardable’[1] – as an important new way in which to approach the power and identity of marginalised groups in Edwardian Britain (1901-1914). The Edwardian era is often described as a period of intense social conflict and upheaval marked by a heightened awareness of class consciousness, inequality and poverty. Vast social, political and economic changes led to an increasing mobilisation of the lower classes and women, while also bringing about a rise in the number of anarchists and revolutionaries. Many of these changes, in turn, created an increasing distrust of and hostility towards the ‘other’: foreigners, Catholics, Jews, gypsies, homosexuals and the poor were all the target of widespread discrimination. Despite their internal differences, all of these groups had one thing in common: they used writing in a bid to voice resistance and obtain symbolic forms of power.

The editor invites chapter proposals involving high quality research drawing on diverse methodologies that advance the study of ordinary writing as a rebellious act of power in Edwardian Britain. In particular, research related to any of the following groups or inscriptive acts are welcomed:

·         The working classes; Irish nationalists; suffragettes; children; prisoners; socialists/communists; workhouse poor; Catholics; Jews; foreigners, particularly Germans and Eastern Europeans; gypsies; homosexuals; black people

·         Postcards; coins; schoolbooks; graffiti; marching banners; political posters; diaries; autograph books; calling cards; visitors’ books; scrapbooks; embroidery

Proposals

Chapter proposals should be submitted on a single-spaced page, and should include your name, affiliation, email address, a tentative title and abstract (200 words maximum). Please also include a brief biography (300 words maximum) and relevant high-quality publications. Chapter proposals must be emailed as a single Word file document consisting of 2 pages to Lauren O’ Hagan (ohaganla@cardiff.ac.uk) by November 1st 2018.

Chapter Submission:

Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by November 15th 2018 about the status of their submission and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 words in Times New Roman 12, double spaced text, inclusive of title, abstract, manuscript and references, should be submitted as a Microsoft Word email attachment by March 31st. Graphics and images may be included.

Manuscripts should conform to the Chicago Manual of Style (footnotes) 16th edition:

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1...

The edited book will be published with an English publisher (to be announced later). All manuscripts submitted to the editor will be subject to rigorous peer review process as well as editorial and production processes.

Send enquiries and proposals to: Lauren O’ Hagan (ohaganla@cardiff.ac.uk)

[1] J. Sinor, The Extraordinary Work of Ordinary Writing (Iowa City, 2002), 5.