[Discussion] CFP: The Journal of Fanfiction Studies (4/1/05 rolling acceptance; e-journal)

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

Distraction, an online journal dedicated to the study of fanfiction,
seeks submissions for its pilot issue. Essays are welcome which
thoughtfully examine any aspect of fan-produced literature from any and
all fandoms, including literary, sociological, historical, cultural,
psychological, political, statistical and other studies.


Topics include, but are by no means limited to:

Character Studies - Character definition or re-definition through
fanfiction, standard fanfiction characterization (=93fanon=94), archetype=
s,
pairings, heroes and anti-heroes.

Literary Criticism - Style, genre, plot, symbols, characterization,
theme, allusions, and specific comparisons to genres and works of
literature.

Genres & Plot Devices - Poetry, songfic/filk, drabble (100 words),
novel-length stories, coming-of-age, original characters, =93Mary Sue=94
stories (self-insertion), parodies and humor, hurt-comfort (incl. rape,
abduction and sexual, physical and emotional abuse), angst (incl.
depression and loneliness, eating disorders), costuming and disguise,
body-switching, crossovers, challenges, works in progress, and =93real
person=94 fanfiction.

Alternate Universe Fanfiction - Examinations of a point at which
fanfiction routinely diverges from its source; use of canon characters
in original settings; use of canon setting with original characters.

Gender & Sexuality - Definitions of sexuality and gender, incl. the
blurring or establishing of boundaries; male and female homosexuality;
homo- and heterosexualization of a character who is hetero-/homosexual
or sexually ambiguous in canon; male pregnancy (MPreg); body-switching.

Love & Sex - The language of love, sex and possession; control and power
dynamics; positioning and action; male and female virginity; significant
age differences; love triangles (and polygons).

Sexual =93Deviance=94 - BDSM; statutory rape/=94chan=94; student/teacher;=
 rape;
abduction/Stockholm Syndrome; sexual abuse; incest; necrophilia;
bestiality, incl. traditional bestiality as well as sexual relations
with beasts, aliens, demons, monsters, ghosts and other non-human creatur=
es.

The alien and supernatural - Extraterrestrials and supernatural
creatures in fanfiction; literal and metaphorical vampirism; space, the
future, alternative universes and other fantastical settings; time
travel; relationships between living humans and aliens, ghosts, demons,
and other characters which cannot be defined as either human or animal.

General - Fanfiction taboo; use of illustrations/fan art; stories from
obscure fandoms; fanfiction and pornography; fanfiction archives;
demographic & statistical studies; fanfiction by published authors;
authors=92/creators=92 responses to fanfiction; fanfiction author/reader
relationships; effect of film/television adaptations on fanfiction;
novelizations and film, television and theater adaptations as
fanfiction; incomplete and ongoing source materials, incl. effect
of the end of the series on fanfiction, effect of fanfiction on source
material, attempt to achieve closure and/or back-story.


All topics may be addressed as they apply to fanfiction in general or to
one or more specific fandoms. Please keep jargon to a minimum and
explain potentially confusing terms in parentheses or notes.

Deadline for inclusion in the first issue is 1 April 2005; acceptance
will be rolling for subsequent issues. Send 500-word abstracts or
completed essays of no less than 3,000 words to
cfp@fanfiction-studies.net with the subject line as follows:
=93CFP =96 [title of paper]=94  We ask that you also include a short bio.

Distraction will be available at www.fanfiction-studies.net

Regards,

Nichole Suprina & Stephanie Dutchen
Editors


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