Dear Literature & Culture Enthusiasts, 

Join us for two exciting days of virtual panels and three vibrant days of in-person discussions, networking, and creative exchange. You are invited to the 53rd Annual Louisville Conference on Literature & Culture—a dynamic gathering of scholars, writers, and thinkers from around the world!

LCLC53 Events:

• Virtual Panels: February 16-17th, 2026
• In-Person Panels: February 19th-21st, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky
• Public Reading with Robert Eric Shoemaker and Friends: February 19th, 2026 at 7:30PM at Surface Noise
• Public Reading with Black Square Edition Authors: February 20th, 2026 at 9:00PM at the Brown Hotel
• Public Reading with Jeanne Heuving, Norman Finkelstein, and Friends: February 21st at 9:00PM at the Brown Hotel
• Annette Allen Poetry Prize Reading: February 21st, 2026 at 11:00AM in UofL’s Writing Center
• Keynote Events 
• ...and more! 

This year’s conference features an impressive lineup of keynote speakers: 

• Matthew Pettway, Specialist in Afro-Latin American and Caribbean Literatures and educator
• Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Award-winning writer, educator, and cultural activist
• Rachel Kushner, New York Times Bestselling Author
• Peter Gizzi, American poet, essayist, editor, educator, and author
• Michael Hardt, American political philosopher, educator, literary theorist, and author

All keynote events are free and open to the public. Virtual panels are also free, while tickets for in-person events are available now.

How to Participate: 

• Submit your own proposal for a reading, panel, or seminar at thelouisvilleconference.com submission portal! Even though our submission portal is closed, we are still accepting submissions to join our waitlist. All waitlisted submissions will be evaluated ASAP and placed based on need and approval.

Register for virtual and in-person events at thelouisvilleconference.com!

LCLC53 is free to register for University of Louisville students, faculty, and staff.