The Fifth Annual David Foster Wallace Conference on Contemporary Literature and Culture will be held at Illinois State University, June 7-9, 2018. The conference invites both critical scholarship and creative writing. Papers and panels should focus on literary works published since the 1950s and/or in the works of David Foster Wallace. Creative writing proposals in all genres are welcome.

Proposals are due by December 11, 2017.

Critical Papers and Panels
Topics for critical papers on Wallace or contemporary literature might include, but are not limited to:

· A Decade without Wallace: Legacy, Absence, and/or Contemporary relevance
· “The Long 1990s” and (Post) Millennial Culture
· Writing after Wallace: Influence, the “Post-Wallace Novel,” Memorialization, and/or Backlash
· Global Influences: Non-American Influences, Readings and/or, Contexts
· The “Post-Critical” Turn in Literary Studies
· Location/the Local: Institutions, Environment, the Midwest and/or, Boston
· The Body and Embodiment
· Neoliberalism, Freedom, and/or Politics
· Modes of Difference: Gender, Race, Sexuality, and/or Disability
· The State of the Field: Where Are We Now?

Special Sessions
In conjunction with the David Foster Wallace Society, we will be conducting special sessions on teaching David Foster Wallace and diversity in DFW Studies. We will also hold special sessions on interdisciplinary approaches to DFW Studies and academic freedom. Please visit our website at WallaceConference.com for more information.

Submission Guidelines
Please submit your proposals for critical, creative writing, and special session submissions through our online proposal form at WallaceConference.com. We require a 150-300-word proposal, a 50-word program abstract, and a 50-word bio. For creative works, we require submission of a current draft of the full text. Presenters may take part in up to two panels. Please submit by December 11, 2017.

Inquiries
In case of questions, please e-mail Ryan Edel via our Contact Page at WallaceConference.com.

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Proposals are due by December 11, 2017