The So What
Call For Submissions
Call For Guest Editors
Guest Editors for Future Issues
The So What welcomes proposals for individual or teams interested in guest editing an issue or cluster on a special topic (see call for a list of ideas). We are interested in critical, pedagogical, and creative pieces and issues that explore the “whys” and “so whats” of these topics from a wide variety of angles, approaches, and disciplines. Proposals for other issues, as well as for individual pieces related to the above, are also welcome. Our team will happily work with editors to identify a publication that that feels manageable, with the earliest available likely being the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027. Full call available here.
Proposal Submission Deadline: Rolling
Past Calls for Papers
Though the deadlines for the CFPs below have passed; we welcome new submissions related to these topics for our open issues
Call For Papers
Social Media and the Medieval Special Issue
The So What welcomes proposals for short, public-facing pieces — whether critical, pedagogical, or creative — on social media accounts that engage with the medieval period for a special issue of TSW planned for on-line publication in 2025 or early 2026.
Whether it’s Instagram, Twitter (currently known as X), YouTube, TikTok, or other social media platforms, we’re interested in social media that engages with, or remediates, the medieval period on various subjects, including history, literature, manuscripts, animals, physical objects, etc. Some accounts may take a more straight forward, literal approach while others may utilize humor and parody. Full CFP available here.
Proposal Submission Deadline: March 31st, 2025
Call For Papers
Netflix’s The Decameron Special Issue
The So What welcomes proposals for short, public-facing pieces engaging with Netflix’s The Decameron for a special issue of TSW planned for web publication in late 2025.
We are interested in critical, pedagogical, and creative pieces that explore the Netflix series from a wide variety of angles and approaches, including: plague studies, the history of medicine and science, premodern critical race studies, gender and sexuality studies, disability studies, adaptation theory, and so on. Full CFP available here.
Proposal Submission Deadline: December 31st, 2024