Contributors are encouraged to interpret the idea of the material culture of the book as widely as they wish, drawing upon research from sociology, economic and social history, literary theory, bibliography, book history, philosophy and anthropology. I would particularly welcome contributors seeking to examine Wharton’s publication, production, dissemination and place in book history and material culture outside of an American context. Some topics that you might wish to discuss include:

Wharton’s relationship with her publishers in the USA, UK, France and elsewhere The economics of the book trade and its impact on Wharton’s writing Wharton and her literary agents The representation of the book as ‘material culture’ in Wharton’s fiction The production and distribution of Wharton’s books (especially during WW1) Wharton’s libraries, real and fictional Propaganda and the material and moral utility (or economy) of the book Wharton’s own understanding of the material culture of the book vis-à-vis visual art, music, drama or film Contemporary theories (from economics, politics and philosophy) of the material value of literature that impinged upon Wharton and her writing Contingent serialisation vs. the definitive volume: a material or immaterial distinction? Expatriation vs. domesticity: the material freight of literature Wharton’s bibliophilia: material or sentimental? When is a book a book? Material culture, ‘dry goods’ and the idea of the book in the American ‘Gilded Age’ and after Recent theoretical work by Bourdieu, Chartier, Darnton etc and its relevance to Wharton scholarship Advertising Wharton’s books Material culture and the mass market for fiction: elite vs. popular consumption patterns Wharton’s sensitivity over the presentation (binding, paper, punctuation etc) of her books.

Please register your interest in this project by sending an abstract of c.500 words and a brief CV by the deadline of 1 July 2006 to the editor, Dr Shafquat Towheed at SSTowheed@aol.com. Accepted contributors will have until 31 December 2006 to submit their manuscripts, which should ordinarily be c.7000-8500 words in length. If you wish to discuss this project, feel free to contact me.

Dr Shafquat Towheed, Institute of English Studies, The University of London
E-mail: SSTowheed@aol.com