CFP - Queer(y)ing the World: International LGBTQ+ Literature for Young Readers

CFP: Queer(y)ing the World: International LGBTQ+ Literature for Young Readers

In the past few decades in English-speaking countries, we've seen a major increase to the number of children's and young adult books published featuring LGBTQ+ themes. But what is the situation like in other languages and other cultures?

In this edited collection, we aim to explore LGBTQ+ literature for young readers around the world, particularly beyond the English-speaking countries/cultures. By LGBTQ+, we include: lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, kink, intersex, non-monogamy, and more. We are interested in the intersection of literature, history, and politics, and we hope the various chapters will explore topics such as but not limited to:

• How are sexualities and gender identities depicted in writing and illustration for younger readers? How are queer families and the construction of queer families portrayed?
• How is this depiction influenced by the way the culture in question views queer identities?
• What is the connection between LGBTQ+ rights and literature for children and young adults?
• Who is writing this work and why?
• Which companies are publishing the works?
• What genres are these texts?
• How do words and images interact in these books, if relevant?
• How do LGBTQ+ identities intersect with other aspects of identity, including but not limited to 'race'/ethnicity, dis/ability, class background, size, religion, and so on?
• Are these works getting translated to other languages or are they themselves translations?
• Are there different types of works being written by different groups within the cultures/countries?
• What is the response of young readers (and parents, teachers, and other older readers) to the books?
• How do libraries and library workers engage with these works?
• How has the literature changed over time?
• What sort of work remains to be done in this field?

Please submit an abstract of 300-500 words by 30 April 2017. We will reply with an acceptance or rejection of the abstract and feedback in the early summer and we anticipate that the due date for the submission of complete articles will be at the end of 2017. Articles will be 5000-7000 words, unless otherwise agreed upon. Guidance on style and referencing will be offered in due course. Abstracts and chapters should be in English, and any quotes in other languages should be translated as necessary.

Please contact Dr B.J. Epstein at b.epstein@uea.ac.uk and Dr Liz Chapman at e.chapman@sheffield.ac.uk with questions or to submit abstracts.