Modern Meta Myths (Edited Collection)
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Event: Edited Collection
We are seeking chapter proposals for a new edited collection entitled Modern Meta Myths, examining intersections of mythic adaptation/reception with critical self-awareness. The collection aims to bring together a diverse array of chapters, working through different methodologies, generic focuses, and analyzing adaptations/receptions of various world mythological traditions. We define “myth” broadly, to include legends, fairy tales, religious stories, even folk tales, in addition to more traditional bodies of mythology. In particular, we’re excited to read proposals about world mythic engagement beyond the Euro-American tradition.
Meta- self-awareness is central to twentieth and twenty-first century literary and artistic styles, as Modernists, Postmodernists, and Metamodernists navigate new ways of engaging the past and our shared cultural and historical heritages. This collection specifically intends to explore ways in which authors/artists in these contemporary traditions figure the meanings and cultural work of mythology. Examining these intersections is the collection’s critical intervention, setting it apart from other works in the broad field of adaptation and reception studies.
MMM will be divided into two broad sections. One section will examine meta-mythic adaptations/receptions of chapters focused on texts/art commenting on or critiquing the nature and cultural work of mythology or a specific myth. The other section will focus on adaptations/receptions foregrounding meta-genre elements–e.g., fiction that’s conscious of itself as fiction, cinema that points to the cinematic process, drama addressing the nature of live performance, etc.
Strong chapter proposals should: include a provisional thesis statement, specify the myth(s) and adaptation(s) being examined, the meta- element the chapter will analyze (whether that’s meta-mythic or meta-generic), the critical lens(es) being utilized, and set the stakes for this argument. Tell us why your chapter’s argument matters. Why would someone want to pick up MMM and read your work?
We welcome chapters that address topics like (but not exclusively):
Post-colonial or de-colonial explorations of Indigenous, African, Latin American, Asian, Polynesian, etc. identity through critical engagement with mythology
Intercultural adaptation/reception
Generic differences in trans-medial adaptations (e.g., epic poetry to film, folk story to novel)
Multi-media/multi-genre works
Weaving together multiple mythic traditions, particularly from different cultural traditions
Feminist engagement with and critique of myth
Explorations of cultural power imbalances preserved by myth, and attempts to use myth to challenge those imbalances
So far, Bloomsbury, McFarland, and Palgrave have expressed preliminary interest in publishing the project, and we are waiting to hear from or in discussion with other publishers who publish on adaptation and reception studies.
Please email a 200-300 word chapter proposal, four-five keywords, and short bio and/or brief CV to modernmetamyths@gmail.com by 31 Dec. 2026. Acceptance decisions will be made and announced in early Jan. 2027. Drafts of accepted chapters will provisionally be due by 31 Dec. 2027. Chapters should generally be between 6,000-8,000 words (exclusive of notes and citations). Please use 9th edition MLA format for citations (both in-text and Works Cited lists), though the citation format may be changed based on the publishers’ house style.
Phillip Zapkin and Hailey Gatter