Reading the Contemporary Author: Narrative, Authority, Fictionality

The author remains a fascinating subject for readers, critics, and theorists, but theories about authorship need to be updated to account for the digital age, autofiction, and the literary climate. This collection explores contemporary authorship through interdisciplinary perspectives and critical stances, demonstrating the need for a variety of viewpoints to capture its multifaceted nature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The author has long captivated the attention of readers, literary critics, and theorists alike, serving as both a real-life artist and creator and a theoretical concept that shapes our interpretation of literary works. Whether they are anonymous, pseudonymous, or trending on social media, authors continue to be a subject of critical and readerly fascination. However, theories surrounding authorship have yet to adequately adapt to the significant transformations brought about by the digital age, the rise of autofiction, and the broader literary climate.

In "Reading the Contemporary Author," the contributors delve into the rich history of theorizing the author and present fresh approaches for understanding this enigmatic figure. This comprehensive collection explores authorship within the diverse landscape of narrative genres, encompassing memoirs, autobiographically influenced texts, biofiction, and novels featuring novelist narrators and characters. By bringing together the insights of renowned scholars from narratology, cultural theory, literary criticism, stylistics, comparative literature, and autobiography studies, "Reading the Contemporary Author" showcases the importance of interdisciplinary viewpoints and critical stances in capturing the multifaceted nature of contemporary authorship.

The contributors to this book examine the evolution of authorship theories and explore how they have responded to the changing landscape of literature. They analyze the impact of digital technologies on the production, dissemination, and reception of literary works, as well as the rise of autofiction and its implications for authorship. They also examine the ways in which the literary climate, including issues of diversity, representation, and identity, shapes contemporary authorship and the ways in which authors navigate these challenges.

Through a series of insightful essays, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary authorship from various perspectives. It examines the role of the author in the construction of narratives, the dynamics between authors and readers, and the ways in which authors negotiate the boundaries between fact and fiction. The contributors also address the ethical and philosophical implications of authorship, such as the question of authorship rights, the role of the author in shaping public discourse, and the relationship between authorship and power.

In conclusion, "Reading the Contemporary Author" is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of authorship. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of contemporary authorship, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach that considers the diverse perspectives and critical stances necessary to understand this elusive figure. By exploring the complexities of authorship in the digital age, autofiction, and the broader literary climate, this book offers new insights and perspectives that will enrich our understanding of literature and its creators.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496234612