This essay collection will focus upon the intersection of personal narrative and conceptions of self constructed through the lens of queer theory. In order for us to wriggle free of the shackles forged by the modern construct of the individual imbued with an infallible facility for self-sovereignty and an impervious, fixed identity, we must first acknowledge the fluidity, illogicality, and unpredictability which characterize most of our lived experiences. Subjectivity as outlined by recent antisocial and affective work in queer theory may give the impression of solidity, of inherence – but typically only because we’re either not looking closely enough or because we are enculturated to perform our subjectivity in ways which deny or overlook their incoherencies. It is those incoherencies we hope to highlight and interrogate.

We are seeking essays which strike a balance between serious engagement with queer theory and personal creative non-fiction. Our goal is to assemble a collection of essays which examine a significant moment in the life of the author or authors which highlights a time of crisis, trauma, and/or transformation that underline the performative and free-form nature of the subjectivities that shape our experience. We encourage innovative and provocative topics and approaches which amplify the nature of the experience under examination. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Sexual fluidity
Gender fluidity
Professional/career shifts
Religious conversion
Religious apostasy
Racialization
Death
Illness
Education
Parenthood
Loss of ability
Geographical identity
Aging
Economic loss
Failure
Technological influences

Please send a 300 word proposal to Dr. Paul Walker ([email protected]) or Dr. Josh Adair ([email protected]) by December 1, 2014. Full essays of 4000-5000 words will be due by March 15, 2015.