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CFPSherlock Collection of Essays 1st June 2013contact email:Nadine.Farghaly@gmx.netSherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are one of the best known couples in Literature. Since Arthur Canon Doyle first published his famous detective stories in 1887, with his work covering the years 1880 until 1914 when Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson finally retired to the countryside, these stories have not lost any of their charm. Frequent adaptations in both the book world and the movie world have demonstrated that the famous detective has neither lost his charm nor his appeal. Different adaptations have added different layers to the Sherlock Holmes universe. While Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock brought a sexy playfulness to the screen, Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock made his social ineptness as well as his disabilities more prominent. The same can be said for the different John Watsons. Jude Law, added a very sophisticated Watson while Martin Freeman's Watson is a down to earth, broke, Afghanistan war veteran who suffers from PTSD. The female characters of these adaptations are also more than worthy of a thorough analysis; the recent BBC version features Irene Adler as a dominatrix. All of these different versions show very distinctive advantages and challenges, as well as they demonstrate different views/takes on sexuality. BBC's Sherlock has been given the moniker The Virgin while Ritchie's Sherlock obviously has a promiscuous side.The CBS adaptation titled Elementary adds another layer of discourse to the Sherlock Holmes discussion. In this version of the famous detective stories John Watson has been transformed into Jane Watson. Here, Holmes is a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose drug addiction brings him to a rehabilitation centre in NYC. Post-rehab, Holmes moves in with a “sober companion” in Brooklyn, Joan Watson, a “former surgeon who lost her medical license after a patient died while consulting with the NYPD.” The series is already highly awaited by critics and fans alike since the gender change is something that, while it has been attempted before, never worked successfully. And while not much can be said about this series at this point, it will be necessary to analyse it thoroughly. The gender politics implemented in this show alone will be a reason to review it.Another aspect that is not too underestimated and highlights the audiences' interests into this fandom is the I Believe in Sherlock Holmes movement inspired by the BBC Sherlock Season Two Finale. Although it is unclear whether or not the movement was started by the BBC or by fans, it does not really matter in the end. Thousands of fans are participating in the movement, and there seems to be no end in sight; demonstrating a high kinship and connection to Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick.This collection will strongly focus on the gender politics that have been assigned over the last three years to the different Sherlock Holmes adaptations.The following categories suggest possibilities but are by no means exhaustive:•Fandom and/or Reception•Transformation and/or Adaptation•Gender•Race•Sexuality•Romance and Desire•Power•Monstrosity•Heroism•Villainy•Identify•Visual Style and practicesWhat to Send:300 - 500 word abstracts (or complete articles, if available) and CVs should be submitted by June 1, 2013. If an abstract is accepted for the collection, a full draft of the essay (5000 – 8000 words) will be required by December 1, 2013.Abstracts and final articles should be submitted to: Nadine.Farghaly@gmx.netreceipt of the abstracts will be send within one week. In case you do not receive an email, please resend your proposal.