BFS Journal Special Issue – Edited by Tom Abba

It can be argued that experimental storytelling – whether as form-led, or as the content of the work – has its roots in literatures of the fantastic. From the earliest works of prophetic visions, printed in the 17th century, to the formal experimentation of the modernist and postmodern literatures of the 20th and 21st, innovation in print, form and storytelling have become a staple of the genre as we understand it.

With this in mind, the British Fantasy Society Journal is inviting submissions for a Special Issue on Experimental Literature.

As stated in the BFS constitution, our definition of fantasy includes “Science Fiction, Heroic, Horror, Supernatural and related fields”. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Experimental form or content, or the interplay between the two.
• The history of experimental storytelling.
• Audience studies, roles of the reader.
• Experimentation as it relates to technology – incunabala, print, immersion, digital.
• Formal interplay between platforms – how theatre (for example) has impacted on the fantastic.
• Current debates in experimental form.

This issue will contain pieces of 2500-6000 words. We especially welcome submissions and queries from early-career academics and writers from traditionally marginalized backgrounds.

Please note that for this issue we will not be accepting works of fiction. However, we encourage academics to submit pieces in a style suitable for audiences outside the academy.

Please note that any pieces in a “listicle” style will have a higher bar to clear than other submissions, but please get in touch if you have a good idea for this format. Experimentation can be foregrounded in your submission too.

Closing date for Expressions of Interest: April 28^th 2023

Submission of finished papers: June 30^th 2023

Please send enquiries to bfsjournal@britishfantasysociety.org