[Commlist] CFP ACLA2025: Interactive Storytelling Seminar and Edited Volume

*Seminar Title:* Interactive Narratives: Rethinking Interactivity and 
Digital Archiving

**

*ACLA Conference Dates:* May 29–June 1, 2025, Online

Call for Papers and Book Chapters

Interactive storytelling has become a cornerstone of modern narrative 
forms, reshaping the processes by which stories are crafted and 
experienced. Building on the discussions and insights from last year's 
conference seminar, this year's *Interactive Storytelling Seminar* seeks 
to delve deeper into the concept of interactivity while addressing the 
challenges of archiving digital culture and preserving interactive 
projects. This seminar will emphasize the need for innovative 
methodologies and critical frameworks to sustain these narrative forms 
for future scholarship and engagement.

**

*Seminar Overview:*

This seminar will explore the transformative potential of interactive 
narratives and the challenges inherent in archiving digital culture. We 
invite scholars and practitioners from diverse fields, including 
literature, communication, film, digital media, gaming, and cultural 
studies, to participate in a comprehensive dialogue around the following 
key themes:

 1. *The Notion of Interactivity:*
      * Reevaluate traditional concepts of interactivity, moving beyond
        user-computer interfaces to explore more nuanced interactive
        dynamics.
      * Address how meaningful interactive experiences can enhance
        narratives and gameplay.
      * Explore various forms of interactivity, from physical
        installations to digital platforms that offer narrative
        superposition and user agency.
 2. *Archiving Digital Culture:*
      * Investigate the challenges and methodologies involved in
        preserving interactive media.
      * Examine the preservation of virtual reality experiences,
        multimedia installations, software, interactive fiction, and
        video game narratives.
      * Highlight the need for innovative solutions to maintain these
        media's interactive and experiential qualities for future
        research and accessibility.

**

*Call for Paper Presentations:*

We invite participants to submit *paper presentation proposals* that 
engage with the seminar’s themes, focusing on interactive elements in 
novels, films, comic books, games, digital platforms, or other narrative 
forms. Proposals should demonstrate critical engagement with the 
seminar’s core themes and contribute to a deeper understanding of 
interactive storytelling and the complexities of digital archiving. 
Submissions on related topics will also be considered. Possible areas of 
focus include but are not limited to:

  * Novels and reader engagement
  * Interactive mechanisms in comic books
  * The history of interactive storytelling
  * Hypertext literature and non-linear storytelling
  * Video games and interactive films
  * Immersive storytelling in virtual and augmented reality

**

*Submission Details:*

  * *Proposal Length:* 300 words
  * *Keywords:* Include four relevant keywords with your proposal.
  * *Submission Deadline:* October 14, 2024
  * *Submission Link:*

_https://www.acla.org/interactive-narratives-rethinking-interactivity-and-digital-archiving

<https://www.acla.org/interactive-narratives-rethinking-interactivity-and-digital-archiving>_

**

This interdisciplinary seminar and book welcomes proposals from scholars 
in *Comparative Literature, Communication and Media Studies, 
**Philosophy,* *Film and Game Studies, Digital Humanities, Cultural 
Studies, and Interactive Design*.

*Publication Opportunity (Edited Volume): *

In addition to presenting their papers at the seminar, contributors will 
be invited to submit their work for inclusion in a forthcoming edited 
volume to be published by Routledge. This book will focus on interactive 
narratives and storytelling, allowing participants to develop their 
papers further and contribute to a much-anticipated collection that 
unites essential theoretical discussions and critical perspectives in 
one cohesive volume. This edited volume aims to serve as a key resource 
in interactivity for film and media studies, providing valuable insights 
into the evolving dynamics of interactive storytelling. Submission for 
the volume is separate from the conference presentation, and inclusion 
will be subject to peer review.

**

*Contact Information:*

*Hudson Moura ((hmoura /at/ torontomu.ca) <mailto:(hmoura /at/ torontomu.ca)>)*
ACLA 2025 Annual Meeting

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