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 lclc@louisville.edu or visit our website, www.thelouisvilleconference.com.

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