Novels, Then and Now, an area of the Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association, is currently accepting proposals for the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA) conference in Philadelphia, PA to be held November 9-11, 2023.

This area includes all novel genres, authors, time periods, cultures, and settings. Consider it a safety net for novels that don’t fit neatly into a specific genre or that cross genres. For example, consider the many sub-genres of Romance with a capital “R”—western, thriller, paranormal, religious, romance (with a small “r”), detective, urban fantasy, etc. From Pearl S. Buck to Lee Child, from Laurie King to Tony Hillerman, from Julia Spencer-Fleming to Emilie Richards—all are welcome.

Proposals on the topics of book history, representations of "bookishness," explorations of the book form, and presentations on specific novels are also welcome.

Proposals are welcome on all aspects of popular and American culture for inclusion in the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA) conference in Philadelphia, PA. Single papers, panels, roundtables, and alternative formats are welcome (please contact the appropriate area chair if interested in an alternative proposal type). Proposals should take the form of 300-word abstracts, and may only be submitted to one appropriate area.

Submission Process: Submit a 300-word proposal by June 30, 2023 to our online submission form at www.mapaca.net

For a list of other areas and area chair contact information, visit mapaca.net/areas. General questions can be directed to mapaca@mapaca.net. The deadline for submission is June 30, 2023.