The focus of ICFA 33 is on the Monstrous and the Fantastic and will explore the many creative and cultural constructions of monstrosity in the arts from monsters of ancient times to monsters of the present and future. While papers relating to this theme are welcome, proposals on any topics related to this call will be equally welcome. The conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, from March 21 - 25, 2012 at the Orlando Marriott Airport Hotel. Guests of Honor are China Mieville and Kelly Link, and the Guest Scholar is Jeffrey J. Cohen. For more information and updates about the conference, please visit www.iafa.org.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

Comparative studies of fan fiction writers and communities
The role of the Internet in building fan communities and shaping fannish interactions
Fan and media convention culture
Representations of self/identity in fandom Fandom-specific language, how communication evolves for and out of the community
Meta and “wank” communities
Anonymous communities
Mentoring/gatekeeping
Selling to fandom, using fandom to sell
Fannish modes and methods of discourse
Meta and acafans

Any fandoms based on fantasy or science fiction, or horror television, film, comics, gaming, anime, and manga are welcome.

In order to be considered for the 2012 program, your proposal to (1) read a paper, (2) recruit and chair a paper session, or (3) organize and chair a panel discussion should be date-stamped no later than October 31, 2011; electronic correspondence is preferred. Please note that attendees may present only one paper at the conference and should not submit to multiple divisions.

Proposals must include a 300-word abstract and appropriate bibliography indicating the project's scholarly or theoretical context. Be sure to include current/working contact information (snail mail AND email addresses). Presenters must be members of IAFA at the time of the conference. Be sure to indicate all audio-visual equipment needs in this initial proposal; later A/V requests cannot be guaranteed.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Barbara Lucas, Division Head
Participatory and Convergence Studies in the Fantastic
DFS
5925 Cabot Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30022
barbedwriting@yahoo.com

The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2011. Participants will be notified by November 15, 2011, if they are accepted to the conference.

You can review all conference information and sign up for the IAFA listserv at www.iafa.org. Bookmark the site to keep checking back for updates.

We encourage work from institutionally-affiliated scholars, independent scholars, international scholars who work in languages other than English, and graduate students.

Please feel free to forward this call to other listservs and individuals who might be interested.