Annual Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture on February 16-20, 2026 in Louisville, United States

Annual Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture on February 16-20, 2026 in Louisville, United States

The 53rd annual Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture since 1900 (LCLC) invites submissions of critical, creative, and hybrid work exploring 20th- and 21st-century literature and culture. We welcome submissions in English, Spanish, French, and, occasionally, other languages. We encourage group proposals that cross institutional, disciplinary, and/or experiential boundaries.

Since its founding in 1973, LCLC has grown into an internationally recognized event. From Bollingen, Pulitzer, and Nobel Prize winners to first-time presenters, from established voices to emerging independent creators, from distinguished professors to graduate students, the annual gathering at the LCLC brings together a dynamic range of participants who return regularly for its inspiring conversations and sense of community.

In 2026, the conference will feature two virtual days (2/16 - 17) followed by three in-person days on the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus (2/19 - 21). We welcome individual papers, full panels, roundtables, seminars, workshops, and creative sessions. Our programming spans poetry, fiction, theory, performance, visual media, translation, and interdisciplinary explorations—welcoming scholars and writers across all career stages and institutional affiliations.

We accept submissions in the following categories: critical, creative, and critical-creative presentations. Participants may submit individually or collaboratively, typically organizing a scholarly panel, a creative session, workshops, and more. Additionally, registrants may also chair one or more panels, as well as participate in seminars. Submitters are limited to one entry per category, and participants can appear on the program at most twice, as either presenters or seminar leaders.

The submission portal opens August 1, 2025. Please prepare your proposal by gathering the following: full name, affiliation (if applicable), best contact email, type of submission (individual or group), preferred mode of presentation (virtual or in-person), language of delivery, and a brief bio (max 250 words) for each participant. Proposals must include an abstract or creative sample

If you are interested in proposing a seminar for LCLC53, please email to learn about the next steps. Vendors and exhibitors are also welcome to participate. For more information on how to get involved, including pricing, details, and updates, contact Emily Ravenscraft, Conference Coordinator, at [email protected] or visit our website, www.thelouisvilleconference.com.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 P.M. EST on September 14, 2025.

Name: The Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture
Website: http://www.thelouisvilleconference.com

Since 1973, the Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture has grown into an internationally recognized event, drawing hundreds of participants each year. Hosted annually on the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus, the conference provides a platform for scholars and creative writers to present selected critical and creative work, curated by faculty reading committees. The event features a rich mix of panels and discussions centered on 20th- and 21st-century literature and culture along with keynote speakers who explore topics from creative writing to global literature. Our presenters include graduate students, emerging voices, and established figures in literary studies and the arts. Each year, the conference opens with two virtual days followed by three in-person days, offering flexibility and accessibility. Noted for its welcoming and intellectually vibrant atmosphere, the conference fosters collaboration and exchange among writers, critics, and scholars. Over the years, it has hosted an impressive roster of guests, including renowned writers such as Ishmael Reed, John Ashbery, Louise Glück, Octavia Butler, Jennifer Egan, Susan Howe, Frank Bidart, and Sherman Alexie, as well as prominent scholars like Stanley Fish, Robert Scholes, Jerome McGann, and Rachel Blau DuPlessis. We invite you to join us at the Louisville Conference—whether as a presenter or attendee—to engage with a vibrant community of thinkers, writers, and scholars. Come be part of the conversation, share your work, and explore the evolving landscapes of literature and culture in a setting that values creativity, dialogue, and discovery. Make your voice part of a tradition that continues to shape the future of literary and cultural studies.
Related Events