The Society for the Study of the American Short Story (SSASS) requests proposals for papers and presentations at an international symposium to be held in New Orleans, September 5-7, 2019, at the Hotel Monteleone. This venue has been enormously popular with ALA members in part because this outstanding hotel is located in the heart of the French Quarter and virtually all of the literary locations in the city are within walking distance. Double rooms are $175 at the conference rate.
More information about registration and room reservations is posted on the ALA website, or on the society webpage. The fee is $175, and it includes two lunches and two receptions. All attendees must pre-register for the conference by August 15, 2019. If possible, complete registration on-line, following the link on the websites.
Proposals need be only a single page with one paragraph that describes the subject of the paper and another that gives the credentials of the speaker. In addition to traditional panels, with three 20-minute papers, the symposium will also hold discussion forums, seminar conversations, and roundtable sessions. Fully-formed panels or discussion groups are especially welcome as are sessions organized by author societies. Creative writers are also invited to present work in progress or to discuss the genre of the short story.
A central focus of the symposium will be the reconsideration of the history of the genre through the inclusion of new writers from all racial and ethnic groups, the development of innovative types of stories (flash fiction, micro-fiction, and other forms), and the recovery of fiction published in languages other than English. Close readings of stories by any American author are always appropriate as are broad discussions of historical periods and movements. Please note that no audiovisual equipment will be available for the symposium. Speakers need not be members of the American Literature Association in order to be on the program.
Please send all proposals and program suggestions to the symposium director, Jim Nagel, at jnagel@uga.edu. Proposals are due by June 15, 2019.