This conference aims to bring together publishers, writers and academics to discuss the influence of the small presses.

The small presses in the UK have a complex and fascinating history as they interact with writerly practice. Developments over the last twenty to thirty years such as the the rise of desktop publishing, the collapse of the net book agreement, and the advent of print-on-demand – as well as digital publishing and online bookselling – have created an environment in which small presses have thrived and created new opportunities for writers. This conference aims to bring together publishers, writers and academics to discuss the influence of the small presses on creative practice and to consider their broader role in cultural production. In addition, there will be practical sessions on how to publish with a small press and opportunities for publishers to showcase their books.

Topics to be considered include, but are not limited to:

-The relationship between the creative writer and small presses
-Specific studies of individual small presses and their lists
-Genre studies of the role of small presses in regards to poetry, fiction etc.
-The formal properties of the small press book and its relation to aesthetics.
-How creative writing and publishing practices are adapting to new media.

Abstracts of no more than 200 words to be submitted by 29 February 2012. Please send to one of the organisers:

Lucie Armitt
l.armitt [at] salford.ac.uk

Ursula Hurley
u.k.hurley [at] salford.ac.uk

Scott Thurston
s.thurston [at] salford.ac.uk

School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences
University of Salford
Salford
M5 4WT

We are seeking abstracts relating to speculative fiction, including, but not limited to, papers on the following topics:
•Alternate History •Apocalypse •Body Horror •Eco-criticism •Gaming •(Geo)Politics •Genre •Gender and Sexuality •Graphic Novels •The Grotesque •The Heroic Tradition •Liminal Fantasy •Magic •Meta-Franchises •Morality •Monstrosity •Music and SF •Non-Anglophone SF •Otherness •The Pastoral •Politics •Post-Colonialism and Empire •Proto-SF •Psychology and Consciousness •Quests •Realism •Slipstream •Spiritualism •Steampunk •The Supernatural •Technology •TV and Film •Urban Fantasy •Utopia/Dystopia •(Virtual) Spaces and Environments •Weird Fiction •World Building •Young Adult Fiction.

Please submit an abstract of 300 words for a 20 minute paper and a 100 word biography to CRSF [dot] team [at] gmail [dot] com by 23 March 2012. Whilst we are only looking for papers from postgraduate students, we would also welcome any undergraduates or established figures from the speculative fiction community who wish to attend the conference. Details of cost, etc will be circulated in the New Year. Please keep an eye on our blog or e-mail us for more information at CRSF [dot] team [at] gmail [dot] com