We are soliciting chapter proposals for an edited volume that investigates the origins and evolutions of gender benchmarking in Asian literature. This proposed book volume is tentatively titled Evolving Genders: The Dynamics of Narrative Benchmarking in Asian Literature.It is a collection of scholarly research outputs that examines how various agents such as ritualistic practices, family expectations, cultural orientations and even dogmatic factors contribute to the benchmarking of gender aspects as presented in Asian literature. Within this given scope, contributors can explore relevant notions in demonstrating the origins, developments and evolving aspects of cultural standards and how they act men and women as individuals in the familial, social and vocational contexts.

We welcome submissions that include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

1. Traditional benchmarking and their influence on fictional male and female characters
2. Comparative studies of men and women in different Asian literatures
3. Legendary characters and rebirths in contemporary narratives
4. The adaptation and evolution of Asian men and women in different literary genres
5. Gendering of family and social obligations in Asian literary works
6. Maternal and paternal roles in works that feature Asian families 
7. Gender politics in Asian narratives and their significance
8. The literary voices of men and women in the Asian contexts
9. Gendered rituals and conventions in modern Asian literature
10. The fluidity of gender in Asian literary theorization and framework

The volume will be jointly edited by Dr Kelly Kar Yue Chan (Hong Kong Metropolitan University) and Dr Chi Sum Garfield Lau (Hong Kong Metropolitan University). Some of the edited books of Dr Chan and Dr Lau include Conjugal Relationships in Chinese Culture: Sino / Western Discourse and Aesthetics on Marriage (Springer, 2023) and The Poetics of Grief and Melancholy in East-West Conflicts and Reconciliations (Springer, 2024).

Interested authors should send an abstract (no more than 250 words) and a short biography (no more than 150 words) to the editors (kkychan@hkmu.edu.hk and cslau@hkmu.edu.hk) by 25 November 2024. Authors will be notified of the decision made by the editorial team by 30 December 2024. Only papers that have not been submitted to any other publishers before will be considered for acceptance.
 
For details and enquiries, please write tokkychan@hkmu.edu.hk and cslau@hkmu.edu.hk.

Full Paper Submission Guideline:
The submission should be between 6,000 and 10,000 words (excluding references) and it should follow the attached full paper style guide.

Submission Channels:
Contributors whose proposals have been accepted would be expected to send the full paper prepared in APA style to kkychan@hkmu.edu.hk and cslau@hkmu.edu.hk by 31 March 2025. All received abstracts and papers will go through the process of internal review and language editing before they are included in the proposal to potential publishers.

Important Dates:

25 November 2024 (Mon)

Deadline of abstract submission

30 December 2024 (Mon)

Notification of acceptance

31 March 2025 (Mon)

Deadline of full paper submission