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Call for Papers for Comics Up Close – New Perspectives in Comic Art

By John Freeman on July 2, 2021

Lakes International Comic Art Festival - Comics Up Close - New Perspectives in Comic Art

A Call for Papers for Comics Up Close – New Perspectives in Comic Art, the opening event of Lakes International Comic Art Festival on 15th October 2021, has just been announced by the team from LICAF and ReOPeN, Lancaster University’s graphic novels and comics pedagogy, research and engagement network.

Confirmed Comics Up Close speakers on the day include Professor Andrew Miles, University of Manchester, Dr. Anna Feigenbaum, Department of Communications & Journalism at Bournemouth University, Dr. Helen Jones, Institute of Education at University College, London, and Dr Joe Sutliff Sanders, Faculty of English at Cambridge University.

The team behind Comics Up Close welcome the submission of abstracts for short papers that explore any aspect of comic art or graphic novels.

For comics-inspired academics, this is an opportunity to share your current or recent project with other researchers, illustrators, writers and teachers in the field, as well as members of the general public passionate about comics.

These papers will be part of sessions inspired by the PechaKucha presentation method: participants are asked to speak for eight minutes, with eight slides.

Areas of interest include but are not restricted to: comics for empowerment, social justice and change, comic histories, comics and the reinterpretation of literature, the politics of comic art, international comics, graphic narratives, comics and horror, cinema, education, and science fiction.

• If you are interested in taking part, please submit a title and an abstract of up to 150 words. The deadline for submission of extracts is 5.00pm, Monday 13th September 2021 and should be sent to Lancaster University’s Dr. Andrew Tate (a.tate@lancaster) and Dr. Natasa Lackovic (n.lackovic@lancaster.ac.uk), who head up the university’s graphic novels and comics pedagogy, research and engagement network, ReOPeN

• Tickets are on sale now for this physical event from the Festival web site

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival – back 15th to 17th October 2021 is online at: www.comicartfestival.com | Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast: www.comicartpodcast.uk | Twitter: @comicartfestpod | Facebook: @ComicArtPodcast | Instagram: @ComicArtPodcast | Virtual Comics Clock Tower: licafclocktower.com

• Want to receive news about the Lakes International Comic Art Festival? Then sign up for their newsletter now

• Check out their LITTLE LICAF Facebook Page here and the dedicated LITTLE LICAF Instagram here

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.