CFP: [Cultural-Historical] The Audiobook (MLA 2008)

full name / name of organization: 
Matt Rubery
contact email: 

Papers for this proposed special session will consider the significance of
the audiobook. The growing popularity of audiobooks over the last decade
means that literary critics may no longer be able to turn a blind eye -- or
a deaf ear, in this case -- to the ways in which oral delivery influences
the reception of literature. This panel will explore the extent to which
the audiobook not only enables us to hear literature but to hear it in new
ways. While audiobooks are still responsible for only a small fraction of
the total book publishing market, their use is among the minority of
reading practices found to be increasing as the number of overall readers
continues to decline. Recent advances in digital audio technology in
particular make this an opportune moment to reflect on the evolution of our
reading practices. Some questions that might be considered: In what ways do
audiobooks adapt printed texts? What skills in “close listening” are
necessary for their reception? How is audio technology influencing our
understanding of narrative?

Please submit short abstract and cv by email to rubery_at_post.harvard.edu.
The deadline for proposals is March 1st, 2008.

Special sessions at the MLA conference are accepted on a competitive basis.
Individual presentation time is limited to 20 minutes. It is a general
conference rule that no presenter may give more than two papers at the MLA
conference. All panelists are required to become members of the MLA in
advance of the conference.

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Received on Tue Jan 08 2008 - 05:42:59 EST