“Toyland. Toyland. Mystic merry Toyland, Once you pass it’s borders, You can never return again” – or so the holiday classic song states. However, this concept has been challenged and defied by consumers of all ages and media conglomerates and franchises are all the happier for it.
The politics of “play,” as it relates to collecting, nostalgia, and practice is a key undercurrent of media (both traditional and new). From a currently thriving culture of collecting “cute” plush and vinyl in East Asia, to Wizards of the Coasts’ Magic the Gathering (which is owned by Hasbro) constant licensing/ collaborations with other media franchises (Lord of the Rings, The Walking Dead, Jurassic Park etc.), fandoms’ interest in toys allows for an environment of continual expansion, repackaging, and franchising via transmedia.
This theme asks contributors to think about a toy/toys/ toy company and explore how various cultures, groups, audiences, or companies find and make meaning (or money) through such play. The theme is purposefully open-ended, meant to be fun, and pieces will be published on the blog throughout December to coincide with the holiday season.
Length of pieces can vary (750 – 2,500 words).
Send submissions to lauren.sowa@pepperdine.edu.
Tags: call for papers, CFP
The Fan Studies Network 
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