CFP: "The Hobbit and History"(book collection)
We are seeking proposals for essays to be included in an edited collection with the working title of "The Hobbit and History," to be published by Wiley in 2012 as part of its Pop Culture and History series. We're looking for essays that elaborate the historical context of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and related works, examininga volume in individual characters or aspects of Middle-Earth against a historical backdrop, or analyzing how popular historical understandings inform the material. The collection is aimed at a broader audience than is the case for many scholarly collections, and seeks to make visible for readers the underlying use of historical events and culture in "The Hobbit". We welcome work from historians or those in cognate disciplines, including gender studies, medieval studies or cultural studies.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
Bilbo and the ideals of English country gentlemen's respectability -- essays that examine the material culture and pastimes of the Shire -- Smaug and European dragon folklore -- Beorn and the history of berserkers -- a comparison of the arms and armor of Middle-Earth with medieval Europe -- Uncertain successions and Bard’s kingship -- Elrond and ideas of noble hospitality -- historical comparisons for the Battle of Five Armies -- Thorin’s company and medieval warbands -- from Merlin to Gandalf: counselors in myth and history -- essays on dwarves or elves in lore and in Middle-Earth -- the troubadour tradition of songs, poetry and stories in Bilbo’s world -- essays exploring the history and folklore relating to goblins, trolls and other creatures of Middle-Earth
This collection will be published by Wiley Publishing, which will pay contributors an honorarium of $400.
Proposals due: September 15, 2010. Please submit proposals of approx. 500 words as Microsoft Word (97-03-10 .doc or .docx format) or rich text file (.rtf) attachments to jliedl [AT] laurentian.ca. Please include your name and contact information on your proposal along with a short (one-page) c.v.
Notification of accepted proposals will be made by September 30, 2010. Chapter drafts of approximately 5,000 words will be due by June 1, 2011.
Janice Liedl, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History
Laurentian University
Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext. 4206
Fax: (705) 675-4874
Email: jliedl@laurentian.ca
