CFP: “Poison(s) and Poisoning in Nineteenth-Century Popular Fiction”

“Fatal Facility; Or, Poisons for the Asking,” Punch 17, no. 426 (Sept. 8, 1849): 97. Image courtesy of Punch Historical Archive, 1842-1992.

A Special Issue of Victorian Popular Fictions Journal

Our friends over at Victorian Popular Fictions Journal share a call for contributions to a special issue entitled “Poison(s) and Poisoning in Nineteenth-Century Popular Fiction,” guest-edited by Manon Burz-Labrande and Sarah Frühwirth. This issue will explore the ways in which Victorian literature engaged with the pervasive presence of poison—both literal and metaphorical—within nineteenth-century society.

Poison was ubiquitous in the Victorian era, appearing in household goods, medicine, cosmetics, and even food. At the same time, toxicology was developing as a science, sensational news accounts of poisoners captivated readers, and legislative efforts sought to regulate access to dangerous substances. Popular fiction of the period absorbed and reflected these anxieties, incorporating poison into its narratives as a source of drama, intrigue, and social commentary.

This special issue invites scholars to examine the intersection of poison and literature from multiple angles, including but not limited to:

  • Poison in everyday life: arsenic and other poisons in fashion and home décor; medical uses of toxic substances; food-adulteration panics, etc.
  • Poison in print: representations of poisoners in sensation fiction, penny fiction, detective fiction, and the medical gothic; sensationalized poison trials; public discourse on toxic substances; juxtaposition of poison ads with literary texts, etc.
  • Poison in public/private spheres: the gendering of poison narratives, from domestic crime to female empowerment; poison regulation (e.g., 1851 Arsenic Act, 1868 Pharmacy Act, etc.)
  • Poison as metaphor: “poisonous” texts, critical anxiety over the morality of popular fiction such as sensation fiction or penny dreadfuls, etc.

Download the full CFP to view the full list of possible topics.

Submission Details

Proposals of no more than 400 words, along with a 50-word biographical note, should be submitted to the editors, Manon Burz-Labrande (manon.burz-labrande@univie.ac.at) and Sarah Frühwirth (sarah.fruehwirth@univie.ac.at) by 30 April 2025. Full articles (7,000–8,000 words) will be due 31 October 2025 and should follow the VPFJ Style Guide. All accepted articles are subject to peer review, and only previously unpublished work will be considered.

For more details or inquiries, contact the guest editors at the email addresses above.

Download the Full CFP