Call for Papers

CFP: The Spenser Review Special Issue Vol. 56, no. 1: “Spenserian Economics”

For our first 2026 issue, the Spenser Review invites essays on the economics and economies of Spenser. Systems of trade, exchange, barter, and currency are threaded throughout Spenser’s writing, forming and deforming his cultural, social, moral and textual worlds. Papers could highlight literal depictions of wealth, treasure, poverty, capital, trade and trafficking, as well as explorations of the metaphorics of money, value, and exchange. What are the economies and resources (infinite, limited, or renewable) of romance? What are its imports and exports? How do the economic evils of exploitation, trafficking, counterfeiting, inflation, and debasement manifest in The Faerie Queene’s allegorical systems? Are virtuous economies possible, and (if there are any in Spenser) what are their aims, obligations, and safeguards? How does Spenser depict and critique the competing economic systems of patronage, feudalism, capitalism, and mercantilism? What were Spenser’s own historical economic pressures, and how do we see them shape his writing and work?

The Spenser Review seeks essays of no more than 2000 words on the topic of “Spenserian Economics.” 300-word abstracts are due to the editors, Jeff Dolven (jdolven@princeton.edu), Kasey Evans (ksevans@northwestern.edu), and Claire Falck (falck@rowan.edu), by January 23, 2026. 

As a special feature of this issue, The Spenser Review also invites artists, counterfeiters, and counterfeit artists in the Spenserian community to submit proposals for a new currency that might be used (or is already used, without our having noticed it) in Faerie Land. Proposals should take the form of a name for the currency; a brief description of its value, denominations, and such contextual information as the designer wishes to provide; and finally, and most importantly, an image of an exemplary bill or coin, featuring whatever impress or inscription secures its legitimacy. All contributions will be displayed on a page on the Review's site at the launch of the next issue, and contributors will be paid in kind. A formal abstract is not required in advance but notification by the January 23 deadline would be welcome.