CALL FOR PROPOSALS : 40th ANNUAL MELUS CONFERENCE Austin, Texas April 30 – May 2, 2026 SUMISSIONS DUE NOV. 15 Conference theme: "Beyond the Page: Storytelling Across Media and Borders in Precarious Times" Co-Hosted by Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Austin MELUS invites scholars, writers, artists, and educators to explore the evolving life of story—how it migrates across media, crosses borders of identity and geography, and adapts to the demands of the present. In an age marked by political division, cultural erasure, and institutional instability, multiethnic storytelling in the United States not only persists—it innovates. It finds new forms, new voices, and new platforms to carry forward its histories, critiques, and dreams. This year's theme calls for critically creative and creatively critical work that examines how multiethnic narratives and poetry thrive across narrative and poetic forms. We welcome explorations of literature in conversation with film, television, digital media, podcasts, performance, oral histories, visual art, music or sonic narratives, and graphic storytelling. We invite inquiry into how these narratives and poetry—across genre, medium, and voice—resist boundaries and imagine new paths for expression, recognition, and justice. Submission formats may include: - Individual paper proposals (250-word abstract) - Full panel proposals (3-4 papers, 500-word panel description plus individual abstracts) - Roundtable discussions (4-6 participants, 500-word description) - Creative readings (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, performance) - Alternative formats (workshops, screenings, performances, digital exhibits) - Lightning talks (5-minute presentations as part of a curated session) - Poster presentations (especially encouraged for graduate students) MELUS is committed to building inclusive and accessible scholarly spaces, and we especially encourage submissions from graduate students, contingent faculty, independent scholars, artists, and community organizers. Limited travel grants and hotel grants will be available to support participation from historically underrepresented groups and those with financial need. Keynote speaker announcements coming soon! Special Events will include pre- and post-conference outings, film screenings and discussions with Austin-based filmmakers, a visit to the Harry Ransom Center's archives of multiethnic literature and media, community storytelling and digital humanities workshops, and a publishing roundtable with editors from academic and trade presses More details at https://melus.org/conferences/ Submit proposals or send questions to: melus2026@gmail.com (fb)

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