Topics of interest include fantasy and science fiction published roughly since the beginning of the twenty-first century, though there will be a particular emphasis on Young Adult Fantasy. Texts of core interest include the “Harry Potter” series, the “His Dark Materials” series, the “Inheritance Cycle,” and the “Hunger Games” trilogy.

Within these parameters, the content of the volume will be as follows:
o a "critical lens" chapter (5,000 words; a close reading of a work of contemporary speculative fiction from a particular critical standpoint)
o a "cultural and historical context" chapter (5,000 words; addresses how the time period influenced the development of the contemporary speculative fiction over time (including background before 2000).
o a "compare/contrast" chapter (5,000 words; offers a comparative analysis of 2 or 3 different works of contemporary speculative fiction)
o a "critical reception" chapter (5,000 words; surveys major pieces of criticism on contemporary speculative fiction and the development of such criticism over time.
o nine in-depth chapters that analyze specific works of contemporary speculative fiction. These essays will be 5,000 words each. Together, these chapters will offer readers a comprehensive introduction to commonly studied aspects of the author or the theme and represent major critical approaches to the author or theme.

Full drafts of essays will be needed by mid-June, 2012. Authors will receive a $250 honorarium for each of the 13 essays.

For more information or to express an interest in contributing, please contact the project editor, Professor M. Keith Booker, at m.keith.booker@gmail.com.