In English

The literary field has been in a state of constant change – both nowadays and in the past. Major transformations have occurred, and the audiobook boom is just one of the latest examples. As the main topic of Nordisk litteratursociologi (NOLS) 2025 indicates, this symposium focuses on changes in the literary field. It will look at change from many different angles and with examples taken from historical documents and processes as well as contemporary developments.

Changes in literature and society have always been popular subjects in the sociology of literature. One could perhaps even argue that change is the main aspect which runs through and connects studies throughout the whole discipline.

Actors, genres, and media have changed the inner and outer conditions of literature both historically and in the present day. Production, distribution, and reception of literature are and have always been in constant change. Many theories used in the sociology of literature explicitly address change (for example Hartmut Rosa) or define their central concepts based on change (for example in Bruno Latour’s actor-network-theory (ANT)). At the same time, literary sociology, as the multidisciplinary field it has always been, changes constantly as well. It is influenced by and draws theoretically and methodologically from many different subjects.

The goal of this symposium is to highlight the role of change, in the broadest sense, in studies of the sociology of literature.

We welcome papers on the following or related topics:

• Changes in the literary field
• Historical and contemporary changes in literary format, media and genres, publication, distribution, and reception
• Changes in research in literary sociology, and the role of change in theory and method
• The role of change in different research approaches, for example quantitative or digital literary analysis
• Changes in society in narration, for example in dystopian or crime fiction
• Impact of audiobooks on literature, reading and distribution
• Studies of the book market or publishers
• Changes in literary prize culture, literary reception, and reviews
• Periodicals and magazines
• ANT and other network studies
• Forgotten writers and how they change the literary field
• The history of the book; literature and media
• World literature, translation studies, and perspectives on international book circulation
• Changes in the writing of literary history
• Changes in the literary field of children’s literature

Papers can be presented in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English. The presentations will be of 20 minutes length.

Abstracts of 300 words (max) + bio of 150 words (max) in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English can be sent to: nols2025@helsinki.fi 

Deadline for abstract submission is 15 January 2025.

Submitters will be informed of acceptance in March 2025.

A conference fee will apply.

Keynote speakers at this symposium are emeritus professor Erkki Sevänen and senior lecturer Sara Tanderup Linkis (Lund University). Both keynote lectures will be held in English. The topics of the lectures will be announced later.