Call For Papers

CFP: Evolving Stories

Stories are fluid and mutable, forever in a state of flux, and gradually developing according to their shifting surroundings. While certain features of a story endure, other elements undergo changes. Indeed, in their homology between biological and cultural adaptation, Gary Bortolotti and Linda Hutcheon (2007) highlight the importance of persistence and diversity, as persistent and diverse replicators and narratives thrive in biology and culture respectively. Through exploring the persistent elements of a story, we can examine universal themes, timeless symbols and archetypal characters. Meanwhile, the areas of diversity offer insight into the plethora of contextual components framing a story. In both cases, we gain a better understanding of ourselves as evolving human beings and tellers of tales.

The third annual Graduate Conference for Adaptation and Textual Studies (GradCATS) at De Montfort University, Leicester, aims to explore the idea of “evolving stories” from a vast range of perspectives, including editing, script-writing, reception, adaptation and translation. “Stories” will be understood in a broad sense, encompassing novels, poems, plays, illustrations, films, dance, music, photography, video games, fan fiction and others. Proposals for 20-minute papers, panel sessions and poster presentations are welcome from postgraduate students working in, but not limited to, the following areas:

* The evolution of canons, classics and cults

* Evolutions in printing and the effect on stories

* Transnational tales and intercultural exchange

* Censorship and evolution

* Myths, legends and fairy tales in transition

* Digital media and narrative evolution in the “modern age”

* Stories evolving in oral culture

* Real lives and evolving truths

* Narratives of and through migration

* The evolution from script to screen

* Visual stories in limbo

* Evolving between the arts

Proposals of up to 250 words should be submitted to gradcats@outlook.com or in the form below by Monday 10^th April 2017.

The conference on “Evolving Stories” will take place on 29^th June 2017 at De Montfort University, Leicester.

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