We invite contributions for an upcoming edited volume on Yaşar Kemal, one of the most influential figures in Turkish literature and world literature. Despite Kemal’s international acclaim and extensive literary output, no comprehensive edited volume in English has yet been published. This book aims to fill that gap by offering critical perspectives on Kemal’s literary aesthetics, social engagement, and cultural legacy.

Scope and Themes

We welcome contributions from diverse methodological and theoretical approaches, addressing (but not limited to) the following themes:

• Yaşar Kemal’s Literary Style and Aesthetics

o Narrative structures, use of folklore, and oral storytelling traditions

o Magical realism and allegory in his fiction

• Postcoloniality, Resistance, and Social Justice

o Representations of the oppressed: class, ethnicity, and rural struggles

o Ecocriticism and the Anthropocene in Kemal’s works

o Political engagement and censorship

• Gender and Identity in Yaşar Kemal’s Novels

o Masculinities, femininities, and gender roles in Anatolian society

o Patriarchy and resistance in his literary universe

• Yaşar Kemal in a Global Context

o His reception and translations worldwide

o Comparative perspectives: Kemal and world literary traditions

Submission Guidelines

We seek original and previously unpublished essays between 6,000-8,000 words. Proposals should include:

• A 300-word abstract

• A brief bio (including institutional affiliation)

Please send your proposals to ondercakirtas@bingol.edu.tr by 30th April 2025. Full drafts will be due by 15th April 2026.

We encourage submissions from scholars in Turkish literature, Kurdish literature, world literature, folklore, ecocriticism, gender studies, and postcolonial studies. The volume will be submitted for publication with Routledge.

For inquiries, please contact Önder Çakırtaş at ondercakirtas@bingol.edu.tr

We look forward to your contributions!