Moderns and Others: genre, gender, faith and form in noncanonical British literature

deadline for submissions: 
November 3, 2023
full name / name of organization: 
Andrew Frayn / Edinburgh Napier University; Katie Jones / Swansea University

Moderns and Others: genre, gender, faith and form in noncanonical British literature  

(deadline 3rd November 2023) 

 

What happens when we look away from modernism/s? We are inviting academics to consider this question with a specific focus on late nineteenth- to mid-twentieth century British literature in relation to processes that construct texts as non-canonical. We are particularly interested in essays that use non-/canonicity as a lens through which to consider texts, as well as those that emphasise the temporary and shifting nature of what constitutes non/ canonical works. In order to shift attention away from canonical categories (like modernism), we are particularly keen to receive proposals for chapters that consider obscure, middlebrow or popular texts that are or have previously been excluded from processes of canonisation.  

We have a drafted collection of essays provisionally titled Moderns and Others: Genre, Gender, Faith and Form in Non-Canonical British Literature. Currently, we have a complete draft of an introduction, several chapters and a number of chapter summaries ready to submit as part of our proposal to a major commercial academic press, which has expressed an interest.  However, as it stands, there are gaps in this volume, and we are seeking abstracts for essays that consider one or more of the following topics (broadly conceived): 

  • Decolonisation 

  • Post-colonial critique/ interactions with British (non) canonicity  

  • Race and non-canonicity  

  • Relationships between British and geographically diverse canon productions 

  • Geographically diverse (non) canons  

We also particularly welcome submissions from scholars whose identities are underrepresented in the academy. 

At this stage we are asking for an abstract/chapter summary by Friday 3rd November 2023.  We will make a selection based on fit with the existing topics in the collection, and will write back with our decision as soon as possible after this date.  

Abstracts (250 words) and a mini-biography (100 words) should be sent to: 

Andrew Frayn: A.Frayn@napier.ac.uk  

Katie Jones:katie.jones@Swansea.ac.uk  

We plan to submit our proposal with a complete introduction, sample chapters and chapter summaries by the end of 2023. Should our proposal be successful, you will then be asked to submit your essay in full at a later date.