Contemporary Southern literature remains a growing area for further/future discussion(s) and criticism(s) within the context of society. This CFP seeks contributors offering a wide variety of interpretations and criticisms of contemporary Southern literature and culture against the backdrop of popular culture and postmodern society, although other approaches are also solicited. Presentations covering a broad range of Southern literature pieces, critical approaches, and cultural interpretations are welcome; presentations should be developed for a 15-minute reading.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to) the following:
* Any new and rising Southern literary work
* Contrasts between Flannery O'Connor's and other contemporary author's work
• Film and television work depicting Southern Culture
* Southern literature in the age of postmodernism
* Gender roles in contemporary work
* Religion and/or feminist themes
* Creative writing in context of the South—whether you are a Southern writer or writing in the Southern nostalgia.
* New readings of traditionally-accepted Southern literature
* Film explications (discussion of traditionally “southern” elements)
* Anything dealing with Southern literature or culture
* Comparative readings.

These are only suggestions, and all approaches and subjects are welcome and appreciated.

Please be open and creative with the items you propose; all submissions concerning popular culture are considered. Additionally, if you have a panel that deserves special attention, please let me know in your letter or email so I can recommend it to the PCA administration. Basically, anything dealing with the South is fair game—film, novels, stories, poetry, theory, recipes, etc., anything remotely Southern fits the bill!

Please submit a no more than a 250-word abstract to Christopher Bloss, Area Chair, by October 1, 2007. Contributors will be notified by email within two days of submission. The conference takes place March 19-22. Please submit an email abstract (Word or RTF only) to: chris.bloss@gmail.com.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or require additional information.

• Graduate students are encouraged to apply. This is not simply a forum for seasoned professionals, although they are also welcome and needed, but a place to experience the art of presentation.

Information about hotel reservations is forthcoming. Check the conference web-site as the time grows closer at http://www.pcaaca.org/.