Feminist Theologies in American Literature

Call for Chapters

The editor of a collection in development seeks completed chapters on literary expressions of feminist theology broadly construed. The scope of the volume is wide and inclusive. Chapters may focus on any religious tradition, historical period, genre, or form of American literature. We particularly welcome essays on works of literature

-       that examine the power, enfranchisement, ideas, and practices of women 

-       that consider how religion subverts or reinforces androcentrism and patriarchy

-       that engage with the ways that gender relations inform women’s religious concepts, commitments, and experience

-       that focus on intersectionality and the lattice of power connecting religion, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and race in American culture

-       that consider the religious aspects of embodied experience

-       that challenge normative concepts of the sacred, religious practice, and/or religious authority

-       that consider the role of religion in movements for women’s liberation

-       that concern women and religious community

-       that concern women and the environment, ecology, and non-human life

-       that represent women’s experience with indigenous religions

-       that represent non-western religious traditions in the U. S.

-       theological interpretations of literature that does not overtly thematize religion

The chapters in the volume will feature diverse theoretical methodologies, including but not limited to queer theory, trans studies, new materialism, Afrofuturism, and cultural studies. Chapters can be on literature from pre-Columbian to contemporary America.

Chapters should be between 6k-10k words, include an abstract, and keywords. Authors are encouraged to include images with their manuscript.

Chapters are due by September 29. Early submissions are encouraged.

Applicants will receive a decision by October 13.

Once the final roster of contributors is established and we can fully describe the content of the book, it will be proposed to publishers. The full manuscript will be 80k-100k words. Allowing time for the peer-review process, the book will be contracted early in the Spring 2024 semester.

Potential contributors, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Please send submissions to Andrew Ball (andrew_ball@emerson.edu) by September 29.