Abstract Submission Deadline: December 1, 2002
Preferred Submission Format: E-mail; submit either in body of e-mail or as Word or RTF document. As I do not have a regular office address this semester, please do not send submissions via postal service unless absolutely necessary.

Conference/Organization Website (updated as particulars are added):
Follow the links to conference information. Once again, online registration and payment options will be available via the website, and there will be a link to hotel registration.

Conference Particulars:
The 24th Annual Meeting of the Southwest-Texas Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Regional Conference will be conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we have had such wonderful opportunities to enjoy fine papers, good company, and a colorful site. Once again, the Albuquerque Hilton Hotel and the Fairfield Inn by Marriott will be the host hotels with special conference rates for participants.

Recipients of this CFP who are professors or instructors, please make sure to inform graduate students of the various prizes for papers that the SW/TX PCA/ACA organizations awards at each conference. Check the organization website for award categories and submission deadline information.

PLEASE NOTE:
Papers are welcomed for our meeting in ANY language--not simply English. Any non-English paper must be accompanied by a 500-word abstract in English on a single sheet of paper (bring at least 50 copies; front/back printing is recommended). Papers should be delivered in the language of the speaker's choice and should be accompanied by overhead projections and/or other complementing AV materials.

ALSO NOTE:
Please send AV needs with abstract. Available AV equipment is as follows ONLY: overhead projector, slide projector (participants are asked to bring their own carousels already set up with slides), TV/VCR combo, and CD/Tape player. Please note that the organization DOES NOT have the capability or funds to provide Power Point LCD projectors or computers. Please consider making slides or transparencies of Power Point materials.

This year, my fourth as Children's Literature Area Chair, I invite participants to think of their own experiences/relationships with Children's Literature. Scholarly papers are always welcome, but in keeping with the mission of the organization, I'd also like to inject some more "popular culture" themes or panels. Please see my list of possible topics for more traditional papers, but I would also like to invite possible presenters and conference attendees to participate in two different discussion or "round table" forum.

In the first, I'd like us to focus on personal likes/dislikes, personal reminiscences of favorite stories or stories that had a major impact, and "revisiting" favorite stories as an adult (how has perception changed, what has changed, what do we like/not like about our favorite childhood stories now that we are in the adult world; or, why have these remained favorites?)

In the second, I'd like us to discuss ways in which we have used, would like to use, or have seen others use Children's Literature in courses in high school or beyond. What books work, why, what do they perhaps impart that other means cannot, how might they bridge the gap between more "elementary" and more "mature" reading/writing/thinking skills. This could also include a discussion of the rise of Children's Literature courses in both Education and English department settings across the country (and maybe other parts of the world). I invite participants to bring in favorite books they have used or think might be useful, and we might even have time to read short excerpts as examples. How can Children's Literature be used as effective assignment tools in writing, literature, rhetoric, illustration/art, history, (etc.) courses?

I will try to schedule these forums (if we have enough interest in forming them) so they don't conflict with other Children's Literature panels so that all Children's Literature participants can plan to attend. Please let me know if you would like me to set these two discussion panels up.

Other possible topics I am interested in for more traditional panels (but please don't feel limited by these):

Gender behavior/roles in Children's or YA literature – what models are out there? Do we need more focus on this issue? Does Children's and YA literature represent the "real world" in this area?

I am especially interested in looking at Children's and YA Literature titles that "retell" fairy tales or folk tales, in both serious and humorous ways: Robin McKinley (Beauty), Debra Jo Napoli (Zel), or Jon Scieszka (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs), o Janet Stevens/Susan Stevens Crummel's (And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon) come to mind as examples. Why are these so popular? What is at work behind these retellings? Is it the Politically Correct environment, or is there more to it? McKinley and Napoli are especially adept at creating characters that appeal greatly to readers on different levels, and that veer strongly away from the "stock" characteristics found in the fairy tales they use as inspiration.

"Othering" in Children's or YA literature – has 9/11 had an effect on how ethnicities or difference is portrayed? I don't want to focus on 9/11 specifically, but I am interested in whether Children's or YA literature has been affected by some of the themes/attitudes arising out of the tragedy (more patriotism, less "tolerance" for outsiders/immigrants, issues of security and safety, etc.) – or, have Children's and YA literature publishers helped to encourage tolerance and acceptance?

The Fantasy/Sci-Fi market for Children's and YA literature – has the popularity of The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter increased this market? (PLEASE, no Harry Potter papers for this category as there is a separate Harry Potter Area, chaired by Chris Malone). This could include papers on Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, Chronicles of Narnia, Madeleine L'Engle's books, Robin McKinley's The Hero and The Crown and The Blue Sword, and others. Do these authors, who write books aimed at the children's/YA AND adult markets create a "cross-over" readership? McKinley, for instance, has her "retold" fairy tale BEAUTY, distinctly aimed at the YA market, but also has the darker, more mature DEERSKIN (a complex and beautiful book, but definitely not a children's or even YA volume). Does Fantasy/Sci-Fi lend itself to this cross-over quality more than other types of books?

I would also love to see a panel focused on illustration/picture books – I am a particularly avid fan of Chris van Alsburg and Michael Hague, whose illustrations are like works of art. Any other influential, "different," or perhaps even controversial illustrators out there to discuss?

Cultural/Ethnic/Transnational perspectives and/or issues in Children's or YA literature – is our diverse national make-up being represented fully? What is lacking? What positive trends are appearing?

As always, other topics are welcomed dealing with children's or YA literature – and I really would like to see more YA papers/presentations, as there is not a separate area for it, and I don't feel it receives enough attention. Please consider participating and presenting, even if you do not consider yourself a Children's Literature "expert." Different points of view are always welcome!

Please submit a 250-300 word abstract (full paper NOT necessary) and brief (short paragraph) bio information to me by December 1, 2002. Again, e-mail submissions are STRONGLY preferred/encouraged. Remember to also tell me the AV needs you anticipate.

If you DO need to send a hard copy via postal service, please e-mail me to let me know and I will give you my mailing address (it is my personal address, so I prefer not to distribute it widely over the net). Please keep in mind that the school address listed for me on the organization's website is far away from where I now live, so your mail would have to be forwarded to me – delaying a response to you. Any submissions I received via e-mail will be responded to within days.

Hope to see you in Albuquerque!