Call for Papers: Volume II Issue 3

Tradition in Flux: Failure, Loss, and the Evolving Canon
Note: Abstract deadline has been extended to November 30, 2023

In past editions, our editorial team has challenged emerging scholars to reconsider spaces, objects, archives, and political and cultural power. For our Winter 2024 edition, we invite scholars to reexamine the idea of canonization through the lens of failure, broadly construed. Canons are created through hegemonic ideas of success, power, and artistry. How instead can scholars reclaim or redefine “failed,” forgotten, or incomplete cultural objects? How can we situate ephemeral trends, “one-hit wonders,” overlooked or inaccessible archives, and unfinished works within broader cultural moments? What is the cultural role of “bad” or “trash” art, literature, and media? 

We believe fields are moved forward and remain relevant by the contributions of the newest scholars; for this reason, our journal centers the work of graduate students and emerging scholars. Historical period, disciplinary approach, method, and topic remain open for contribution provided the work addresses the non-canonical, broadly construed: unfinished works, “bad” art and cultural objects, one-hit wonders, and ephemera. We welcome polemic statements, theoretical interventions, creative approaches, personal, video and/or photo essays, book or article reviews, methodological reflections, as well as traditional article-length texts of no more than 6500 words. 

Please submit an abstract of 250-350 words and a short bio (100-150 words), along with your CV, to https://airtable.com/appXyQg3pQrEZnm2T/shrimFgUV0QcfHTD1.  All abstracts are due by November 30, 2023. Selected contributors will be asked to send completed submissions by early January.