Speculative Fiction (Panel (traditional) / In-Person)


Regular / Speculative Fiction
Interdisciplinary Studies / Film Studies

Lisa Wenger Bro (Middle Georgia State University)
lisa@****.com (Log-in to reveal)

Mary Gareis (Middle Georgia State University)
mert@****.com (Log-in to reveal)

Speculative fiction covers a broad range of narrative styles and genres. The cohesive element that pulls works together under the category is that there is some “unrealistic” element, whether it’s magical, supernatural, or a futuristic/technological development: works that fall into the category stray from conventional realism in some way. For this reason, speculative fiction can be quite broad, including everything from fantasy and magical realism to horror and science fiction—from China Miéville to Margaret Atwood to Philip K. Dick. This panel aims to explore those unrealistic elements and all their varied implications about culture, society, politics, economics, and more. This panel also is open to the examination of works from a variety of mediums, including fiction, graphic novels, television, and film.

SAMLA’s 97th annual conference, Knowledge, will be held at the Wyndham Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center in Atlanta, GA this year from November 6-8. Those accepted must be members of SAMLA to present. You can find more information at: https://southatlanticmla.org/

Speculative Fiction Panel

Speculative fiction covers a broad range of narrative styles and genres. The cohesive element that pulls works together under the category is that there is some “unrealistic” element, whether it’s magical, supernatural, or a futuristic/technological development: works that fall into the category stray from conventional realism in some way. For this reason, speculative fiction can be quite broad, including everything from fantasy and magical realism to horror and science fiction—from China Miéville to Margaret Atwood to Philip K. Dick. This panel aims to explore those unrealistic elements and all their varied implications about culture, society, politics, economics, and more. This panel also is open to the examination of works from a variety of mediums, including fiction, graphic novels, television, and film.

Please submit a 250-300 word abstract, a brief bio, and any A/V needs by June 15, 2025 to our team using the Submit Abstract button in the top right corner. If you do not see this button, please ensure you are logged in to your Ballast account at samla.ballastacademic.com, click on CFPs, and open this proposal page.