We invite proposals for research chapters for a new edited book, Muslim Women’s Popular Fiction, for Manchester University Press. This page outlines the book and how to submit a chapter proposal.
Description of book
In the twenty-first century, readers, publishers, and booksellers have noted a surge in popularity of genre works written by Muslim women, particularly in the Anglosphere. From the detective novels of Ausma Zehanat Khan to S. A. Chakraborty’s fantasy fiction, Ayisha Malik’s romantic fiction to graphic novels by Deena Mohamed – Muslim women authors are embracing popular fiction forms and genres.
This edited book brings together experts from across the globe to explore, for the first time, the ‘popular turn’ in Muslim women’s writing through a focus on popular and genre writing by Muslim women. Focusing on writing by women deemed ‘popular’ rather than ‘literary’, the initiative engages with under-studied popular and genre texts (including romance, chick lit, detective fiction, Young Adult, fantasy, life writing, and science fiction) from a range of critical disciplinary perspectives.
The book aims:
- To bring together research from different parts of the world, about different languages and contexts;
- To provide an expert resource for scholars of Muslim women’s popular fiction, both generally and specifically;
- To offer comparison and contrast of Muslim women’s popular writing across genres, languages, cultures, and national contexts;
- To challenge pre-existing ideas and stereotypes about popular and genre fiction and about Muslim women.
Provisional Timeline
Chapter proposals due: 1 November 2023
Full chapters due: 1 April 2024
Final manuscript submission: 1 November 2024
Submit a proposal
We are seeking proposals for 6000-7000-word research essays (including all references and footnotes) that respond to the following themes. We are also open to receiving abstracts on other themes not listed that relate to the field of Muslim women’s popular and genre fiction.
Themes:
- Gender and sexuality
- Feminism and Islam
- Environment and climate
- Medicine, health and care
- Faith and religion
- Spaces – urban, rural, imagined
- Supernatural and the posthuman
- Form, convention and tropes
- Production, reception and circulation
- Translation and adaptation
- Digital and technology
We welcome proposals that deal with texts across genres, languages, and media (including visual media and digital forms). We very much encourage submissions from early career scholars. We encourage co-authorship where possible.
Please Send max 350-word abstracts for your chapter and any queries to womensgenrewriting@gmail.com before the deadline on 1 November 2023. We aim to inform of acceptance by the end of November 2023. Please include 4-6 keywords for your abstract, and a short bio (up to 150 words).