delimitude

English studies PhD work only seems like a Ponzi scheme to the (admittedly) majority that do not get jobs. Where you get your PhD matters. What you study matters. Where you publish matters. This goes for other terminal degree fields, too (MFA, M.D., J.D, etc.). If you treat graduate studies as a job, as an intensive and competitive program designed to weed out the least capable, then you'll be fine. I feel as though this is understood. The OP reads to me as another iteration of anger and resentment over not getting a job. Yeah, the economic structure of the academy right now is utterly flawed (admitting far more grad students than there are full-time or TT jobs because they are cheap labor; then employing the majority of most of those grad students as exploited adjuncts because they are cheap and available labor), but this should not be news, and you cannot change the reality of that institutional problematic simply by complaining about the reality of that institutional problematic, especially when it seems to come from such a place of personal misfortune. English graduate studies is not a place to extend curiosity and fascination with (or passion for) English (unless you can afford it, and are willing to pay for it as such); it's a competitive enterprise. Of course it should or could be otherwise. But it's not. Practically, ask yourself this: based on your research speciality, where you intend to go to graduate school, and how willing and able you are to publish while in graduate school, what kind of academic job do you expect to get? Stats on placement for English PhDs abound, if you need help figuring this. 

English studies PhD work only seems like a Ponzi scheme to the (admittedly) majority that do not get jobs. Where you get your PhD matters. What you study matters. Where you publish matters. This goes for other terminal degree fields, too (MFA, M.D., J.D, etc.). If you treat graduate studies as a job, as an intensive and competitive program designed to weed out the least capable, then you'll be fine. I feel as though this is understood. The OP reads to me as another iteration of anger and resentment over not getting a job. Yeah, the economic structure of the academy right now is utterly flawed (admitting far more grad students than there are full-time or TT jobs because they are cheap labor; then employing the majority of most of those grad students as exploited adjuncts because they are cheap and available labor), but this should not be news, and you cannot change the reality of that institutional problematic simply by complaining about the reality of that institutional problematic, especially when it seems to come from such a place of personal misfortune. English graduate studies is not a place to extend curiosity and fascination with (or passion for) English (unless you can afford it, and are willing to pay for it as such); it's a competitive enterprise. Of course it should or could be otherwise. But it's not. Practically, ask yourself this: based on your research speciality, where you intend to go to graduate school, and how willing and able you are to publish while in graduate school, what kind of academic job do you expect to get? Stats on placement for English PhDs abound, if you need help figuring this. 

English studies PhD work only seems like a Ponzi scheme to the (admittedly) majority that do not get jobs. Where you get your PhD matters. What you study matters. Where you publish matters. This goes for other terminal degree fields, too (MFA, M.D., J.D, etc.). If you treat graduate studies as a job, as an intensive and competitive program designed to weed out the least capable, then you'll be fine. I feel as though this is understood. The OP reads to me as another iteration of anger and resentment over not getting a job. Yeah, the economic structure of the academy right now is utterly flawed (admitting far more grad students than there are full-time or TT jobs because they are cheap labor; then employing the majority of most of those grad students as exploited adjuncts because they are cheap and available labor), but this should not be news, and you cannot change the reality of that institutional problematic simply by complaining about the reality of that institutional problematic, especially when it seems to come from such a place of personal misfortune. English graduate studies is not a place to extend curiosity and fascination with (or passion for) English (unless you can afford it, and are willing to pay for it as such); it's a competitive enterprise. Of course it should or could be otherwise. But it's not. Practically, ask yourself this: based on your research speciality, where you intend to go to graduate school, and how willing and able you are to publish while in graduate school, what kind of academic job do you expect to get? Stats on placement for English PhDs abound, if you need help figuring this. 

New Criticism. That shit is hot.

If the conference is a good fit for your interests (and it seems to be), no real reason not to submit. There are very few conferences that would be detrimental (and these are mostly bc they are considered pseudo-academic ie not tied to a reputable program or society). To my limited knowledge, this is not one of them. However, do keep in mind that will not damaging, a low level conference may not do as much work for you on your cv as you may hope.

Psh. Especially if you're in a PhD program already, just be sure to maintain your mandated minimum GPA (so as to avoid losing your fellowship, assistantship, place in the program, etc.). If you're in an MA, I wouldn't sweat it. Statement of purpose and writing sample are going to mean more than the quantitative measures (at least at schools that know how to properly invest in their future). Of course, grades lower than an A are often thought to be "indicators," but a grade in a seminar is a piss-poor way of determining your potential future in academia. 

Psh. Especially if you're in a PhD program already, just be sure to maintain your mandated minimum GPA (so as to avoid losing your fellowship, assistantship, place in the program, etc.). If you're in an MA, I wouldn't sweat it. Statement of purpose and writing sample are going to mean more than the quantitative measures (at least at schools that know how to properly invest in their future). Of course, grades lower than an A are often thought to be "indicators," but a grade in a seminar is a piss-poor way of determining your potential future in academia.