Introducing the David Mitchell special edition of C21 Literature

Abstract

Rose Harris-Birtill introduces the David Mitchell special edition of C21 Literature: Journal of 21st-century Writings. Harris-Birtill provides a critical introduction to David Mitchell’s complete works, before discussing her experiences as organiser of the international David Mitchell Conference 2017, held at the University of St Andrews on 3rd June 2017, and its relationship to the special edition. Highlighting the dominance of David Mitchell’s novel Cloud Atlas in both Mitchell’s UK book sales and across current literary criticism to date, Harris-Birtill introduces the articles in the special edition, summarising the contributions of each essay. Drawing on the conference discussion, and the decision to include the author in the event, Harris-Birtill argues for the importance of openly discussing the scholarly issues and rewards of working with living authors in the field of contemporary literature.