NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s third annual LitCon is currently seeking proposals for panels, individual performers and book and art fair participants for its 2019 conference, taking place April 12 and 13 in Natchitoches. The event is hosted by the Creative Writing Faculty in the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies, and will be held in The Orville J. Hanchey Gallery on Northwestern’s main campus.
“LitCon seeks to bring the energy and atmosphere of pop culture conventions to the realm of humanities festivals and academic conferences, creating a hybrid experience centered around the joy and evolution of our collective arts and practices,” said Dr. Rebecca Macijeski, Creative Writing Program Coordinator. “This conference is for visual artists, writers, writing programs, independent and academic publishers, academics, students and fans. As a growing regional conference, we’re excited about the idea of an inclusive celebration of the humanities, fan culture, poetry, literary fiction, genre fiction, graphic novels, scriptwriting, comics, illustration, visual and performing arts and more, with each discipline treated as equally exciting both culturally and academically.
“Our hope is that anyone practicing in these or related fields, whether academically, professionally, or as a fan or hobbyist, feels welcome participating in this environment. Thus, we seek proposals that touch on any of these related fields. We are open both to traditional academic paper and panel proposals, as well as innovative approaches that adapt the feel of a pop culture conference.”
Additionally, there is a small number of spaces available for book and art fair participants. The book and art fair will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Tables are free, but space is limited. All money generated from sales go toward the artist.
Submissions are due March 1, 2019.
Individual proposals must include an abstract (200 words or less) and a 50-word program-ready bio. Panel proposals must include a panel description (150 words or less, program-ready) and a 50-pword program-ready bio for each participant (3-5 participants per panel). Book and art fair proposals must include a table description (150 words or less) describing how the space will be used (book and art sales, demonstrations, etc.), as well as a 50-word program-ready description of your table.
The LitCon Board is made up of the Creative Writing Faculty in the Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies. Panel submissions will be assessed in a timely fashion, with every effort made to have notice to prospective participants by March 15.
Desired proposals include individual authors and artists working in various media and/or formats seeking an audience for their work, showcases of writing groups and programs, both academic and otherwise; papers and proposals on fan culture, form and theory of creative writing and/or visual art, the intersection of pop culture and academic culture, and the pedagogies of these various topics; independent publishers, art collectives, and other institutions seeking to connect with fans and students and other humanities-related offerings that may not be listed here
An individual may submit up to three proposals. The conference cannot fund presenters.
Presenters do not need to be affiliated with any particular institution or organization.
Send all proposals to macijeskir@nsula.edu. Proposals are due March 1.