Marianne Jungmaier

Crafting worlds. The role of world-building in the reading, analysis and writing of fantastic literature

Beginning of the PhD program / Start of the PhD program: 
WS 2025

Supervision:
Julia Grillmayr

Abstract
The artistic-academic dissertation “Crafting worlds. The role of world-building in the reading, analysis and writing of fantastic literature”, concerns itself with the analysis of speculative world-building concepts and (literary) reality in fantasy literature. Its artistic side will explore the creation of a fantasy world in the form of the beginnings of a fantasy novel. The dissertation seeks to explore alternative narrative structures like fantasy as a possibility to ponder and create new and more sustainable worlds and realities. It focuses therein on world-building as an analysis category, exemplified through contemporary fantasy book series. As for case studies, it will narrow down on the ‘The Lord of the Rings’-trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, the ‘Earthsea’-trilogies by Ursula K. Le Guin, the ‘Broken Earth’-trilogy by N.K. Jemisin and the ‘Houses’-trilogy by Aliette de Bodard and examine these book series in terms of world-building and the author’s impetus. The dissertation will contain different text forms, such as an artistic-research journal, a scientific analysis of primary and secondary literature and literary pieces. It is designed to become a key publication on fantasy literature and world-building in German and aims to establish world-building as an independent category for future research in the field.

Short biography
Born in Linz (Austria) in 1985, studied Digital Television, Film and Cultural Studies (BA) and Journalism (MA). Further training in speech technique and writing pedagogy. As an author, she writes poetry, prose and novels. Numerous awards and stays abroad. 2023 Guest lecturer at Bowling Green University, Ohio (Max Kade). Teaches creative writing, curates, moderates. www.mariannejungmaier.com