Conference location: SAN FRANCISCO MARRIOTT

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

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
· Explication of canonical 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. Film, art, archival histories, oral histories, anything, basically, is open to discussion. The goal is to learn more about the South and its parameters.

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 November 9, 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/.