Crossroads. A Journal of English Studies is looking for submissions for a theme issue dedicated to the study of Polish science fiction and fantasy literature.
While science fiction and fantasy are inarguably international genres, they have not developed in a uniform manner across the globe. The literary output of any nation is always shaped by many factors, including the country’s history, politics, and culture. This is certainly true as far as Polish science fiction and fantasy literature are concerned, since their present condition—though, undoubtedly, determined also by the achievements of foreign writers (but to what extent?)—has been affected by the nation’s difficult yet rich past, which has been reflected in the writers’ attempts at re-creating the country’s history, in the multiple references to its socio-political reality, and in the return to Slavic mythology and traditions. However, beyond the borders of Poland few of the country’s science fiction and fantasy writers have gained literary and scholarly recognition (which is, of course, due to the number of available translations). While foreign readers might be acquainted with the works of Stanisław Lem and Andrzej Sapkowski, they might know little about other noteworthy Polish writers. Which is not surprising, since not many critical publications on Polish sf and fantasy are available in English. Our work will, hopefully, satisfy that demand.
While papers dealing with the works of Lem and Sapkowski are welcome, we strongly encourage scholars to submit works related to any of the following topics:
- historical development of sf and fantasy in Poland,
- critical assessment of the present condition of Polish sf and fantasy,
- past and present trends in Polish sf and fantasy,
- success and failure of Polish sf and fantasy,
- the role of fandom and popular magazines in the development of Polish sf and fantasy,
- Polish sf and fantasy in translation,
- comparative analysis of Polish and American/English sf and fantasy,
- reception of American/English sf and fantasy in Poland,
- reception of American/English literary criticism on sf and fantasy in Poland,
- religious, gender, racial, social, political, etc. dimensions of Polish sf and fantasy,
- critical analysis of the works of Jacek Dukaj, Elżbieta Cherezińska, Janusz A. Zajdel, Jerzy Żuławski, Marek Oramus, Marek S. Huberath, Maja Lidia Kossakowska, Andrzej Pilipiuk, Jacek Piekara, Robert M. Wegner, Anna Kańtoch, Anna Brzezińska, and other Polish writers of sf and fantasy.
Schedule
January 15, 2017 – deadline for submitting abstracts (200-300 words)
January 30, 2017 – notice of acceptance
April 30, 2017 – deadline for submitting full papers (guidelines for authors will be provided)
After the papers receive a positive review, we will proceed with editing, proofreading, and publishing.
Please send your questions and submission to:
crossroads.sfandfantasy@gmail.com
The theme issue will be guest-edited by Weronika Łaszkiewicz, Mariusz M. Leś, and Sylwia Borowska-Szerszun.
Crossroads. A Journal of English Studies is a peer-reviewed electronic quarterly published by the Department of English at the University of Białystok. The journal welcomes contributions on all aspects of literary and cultural studies (including recent developments in cyberculture), linguistics (both theoretical and applied), and intercultural communication. The aim of the journal is to provide a forum for interdisciplinary research, inquiry and debate within the area of English studies through the exchange, crisscrossing and intersecting of opinions and diverse views. The electronic version of Crossroads. A Journal of English Studies is its primary (referential) version. The journal has received 6 points in the listing of scholarly journals issued by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
For details about the journal visit: http://www.crossroads.uwb.edu.pl/