Mythcon 2012 CFP

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Mythcon 43 - August 2012
Call For Papers


Across the Continents: Myths and legends from Europe and Asia meet and mingle
Call for Papers: Mythopoeic Society Conference 43
Clark Kerr Campus, University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA August 3-6, 2012
http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/43/

Author Guest of Honor: Grace Lin
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature winner for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2010); also a Newbery Honor Book.

Scholar Guest of Honor: Prof. G. Ronald Murphy, SJ
Myth and folklore scholar, winner of the Mythopoeic Scholarship Award for The Owl, the Raven & the Dove: The Religious Meaning of the Grimms’ Magic Fairy Tales (2002) and Gemstone of Paradise: The Holy Grail in Wolfram’s Parzival (2007)

The meeting of cultures, particularly when each appears exotic to the other, generates many possible outcomes. One culture may conquer or cooperate with the other. The two (or several) may learn to live side by side without much interaction, or one may assimilate the other. In some instances, many cultures can mingle and influence each other in a way that sets off an explosion of creativity and cross-pollination. How has the meeting of East and West influenced fantasy writers? Interesting things happen at the borders, or the margins, or the corners. Can this be seen as another example of the interstitial nature of fantasy? Fantasy vs. reality—the ultimate cultural confrontation? Disaster or the seed of creativity, richness, beauty and complexity? Something in between?

Papers dealing with these conference themes, including Asian mythology and/or fantasy works based upon it, (or other themes sparked in your brain by this topic) are especially encouraged. As always, we welcome papers focusing on the work and interests of the Inklings (especially J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Charles Williams), of our Guests of Honor, and other fantasy authors and themes. Papers from a variety of critical perspectives and disciplines are welcome.

Each paper will be given a one-hour slot to allow time for questions, but individual papers should be timed for oral presentation in 40 minutes maximum. Two presenters who wish to present short, related papers may also share a one-hour slot. Participants are encouraged to submit papers chosen for presentation at the conference to Mythlore, the refereed journal of the Mythopoeic Society (http://www.mythsoc.org/mythlore/). All papers should conform to the MLA Style Manual. Paper abstracts (250 word maximum), along with contact information, should be sent to the Papers Coordinator at the following address (e-mail is preferable) by 15 April, 2012. Please include your AV requests and the projected time needed for your presentation.

Edith L. Crowe
Faculty Emerita, San Jose State University
edithcrowe@comcast.net

The Mythopoeic Society is an international literary and educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and mythopoeic literature. We believe the study of these writers can lead to greater understanding and appreciation of the literary, philosophical, and spiritual traditions which underlie their works, and can engender an interest in the study of myth, legend, and the genre of fantasy. Find out about past conferences at (http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/).