The W.D. Howells Society will host two panels at the American Literature Association’s 37th annual conference, which will meet at the Palmer House in Chicago, May 20-23, 2026 (Wednesday through Saturday of Memorial Day weekend). 

PANEL 1: HOWELLS & MEDIA

From the time Howells’s father first put him to work in the print room of the Ashtabula Sentinel to his late-life fascination with the new possibilities of film, Howells’s career was entwined with the dynamism of modern media. The Howells society seeks contributions related to Howells’s experience in and depictions of the worlds of newspapers, magazines, book publishing, illustration, and other media. Topics might include: The Atlantic, The Nation, The Ashtabula Sentinel, Harper’s, McClure’s, editorships and imaginary editorships, artists and illustrations, advertising, newspapers as business and politics. Proposals fitting the titular theme in other ways than those suggested here are also welcome.

PANEL 2: OPEN TOPIC

The Howells Society invites proposals concerning any and all approaches to Howells and his works, including but not limited to the following:

• New approaches to Howells’ life, career, and writings;
• Reassessments of frequently studied and taught works;
• Lesser-known works;
• Howells’ public and/or academic standing;
• Howells and democracy;
• Howells and his influence;
• Howells and the humanities;
• Howells in the classroom.

Please send 250-500 word proposals for either panel to Paul R. Petrie (pe******@********ct.edu) no later than January 19, 2026. (Earlier submissions are welcome!) Please designate the panel for which your proposal is intended.

For further information or questions about the conference, please consult the ALA website at www.americanliteratureassociation.org.