Winter 2027: Challenging & Expanding Traditional Notions of the Hero’s Journey
For this themed issue, to subvert, nuance, or counter the negative effects of literary heroism often left behind by characterizations of cis-het white boy and man heroes, we invite pieces that (1) explore teaching literary heroism with diverse protagonists from YA and middle grades literature, who exist outside of historical narratives of oppression, and (2) pieces where educators are teaching in ways that present heroism in critical, more pluralistic, and/or diverse ways.
Some questions we are interested in:
- How do the different conceptualizations of Hero Journeys (Campbell’s, Murdock’s and Floyd’s) impact diverse character’s journeys?
- How can white characters’ journeys be unread/made fuller through Murdock’s and Floyd’s journeys?
- What other journeys exist that provide generative readings of young adult literature?
- Rick Roridan’s Presents imprint has helped to introduce diverse heroic series into the world. How have these new diverse portrayals transformed how literacy heroism can be defined or engaged?
- How can more diversified journeys be utilized to engage in conversations around access, domination, and transformation of literary spaces?
- How can literary heroism be conceptualized to make space for all cultural, historical and diverse perspectives?
- How is literary heroism demonstrated or understood in literature outside of a U.S. or Western perspective?
- What conflicts or themes appear in the iterations of the hero’s journeys that undergird the essence of what it means to be a hero?
Submissions due on or before July 1, 2026
Dr. Doricka L. Menefee will be a guest editor.
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