Call for Papers
Literary London 2012

The 11th Annual Literary London conference will be hosted by the Institute of English Studies, University of London. The Institute is located in Bloomsbury, at the centre of literary London, and just a few minutes’ walk from such attractions as the British Library, the British Museum, and the clubs, pubs, and restaurants of Soho. It is at the heart of London: one of the world's major cities with a long and rich literary tradition reflecting both its diversity and its significance as a cultural and commercial centre. Literary London 2012 aims to:

• Read literary and dramatic texts in their historical and social context and in relation to theoretical approaches to the study of the metropolis.
• Investigate the changing cultural and historical geography of London.
• Consider the social, political, and spiritual fears, hopes, and perceptions that have inspired representations of London.
• Trace different traditions of representing London and examine how the pluralism of London society is reflected in London literature.
• Celebrate the contribution London and Londoners have made to English literature and drama.

Proposals are invited for 20-minute papers, comprised panels, and roundtable sessions, which consider any period or genre of literature about, set in, inspired by, or alluding to central and suburban London and its environs, from the city’s roots in pre-Roman times to its imagined futures. While the main focus of the conference will be on literary texts, we actively encourage interdisciplinary contributions relating film, architecture, geography, theories of urban space, etc., to literary representations of London. Papers from postgraduate students are particularly welcome for consideration. While papers on all areas of literary London are welcomed, the conference theme in 2012 is ‘Sports, Games, and Pastimes’. Topics that might be addressed are:

• Sport: participation, spectatorship, and sporting events including the three London Olympics
• Gambling
• Shopping and fashion
• Pubs and coffee houses
• Games and hobbies
• Holidays, downtime, and park-life
• Child’s play
• Reading and writing as pastimes

Please submit all proposals for 20-minute papers, comprised panels, and roundtable sessions using the online links, below. Please make sure that you enter all the requested information into the forms.

All proposals must be received by the deadline of 1 April 2012

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Click here to submit a paper proposal for the conference

Click here to submit a panel proposal for the conference

Click here to submit a roundtable proposal for the conference

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REGISTRATION & MEMBERSHIP OF THE LITERARY LONDON SOCIETY

Registration will open in spring 2012 and will be handled by the Institute of English Studies. For more information, visit http://www.ies.sas.ac.uk/events/ies-conferences/LiteraryLondon2012

The 2012 Annual Literary London conference is organised by the Literary London Society. Please note that it will be a requirement to join the Society in order to register for the conference. Please go to www.literarylondon.org/society to find out more about joining. You may join in advance, or pay your membership fee when registering for the conference.

ACCOMMODATION

Participants must make their own arrangements for accommodation. London is a large city with many accommodation options. The area around the Institute of English Studies (Bloomsbury) is particularly well-known for its wide range of hotels. For more information on accommodation, please visit the Institute's accommodation page at http://www.ies.sas.ac.uk/events/ies-conferences/conference-accommodation

CONTACT

Please direct any queries related to this conference to: conference@literarylondon.org.

LITERARY LONDON JOURNAL

The Annual Literary London conference is mutually supportive of the e-journal of the same name. For more information please visit http://www.literarylondon.org/london-journal/