Imaginary Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Could we start a thread on the best conferences to attend and present at (in general), and then maybe break that down by field and location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roquentin Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 How about a thread on crappy conferences (cough RSA cough cough). I presented at the annual MLA circus in January, and I was pretty impressed - the quality of the presentations I attended was uniformly high, and it was very easy to network. I'm sick of big society gatherings, though. I'm not planning to do another one of those (Congress) until summer 2015 (or 2016, or both years). I'm more interested in smaller, focused conferences these days, and I've got a couple in mind for the next couple years (but I've never attended either of them before, so I can't speak to their quality). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfLorax Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Like Roquentin, I'm a huge fan of the smaller, more focused conferences. I am currently at Console-ing Passions, a conference on feminism and media studies. It's small, intimate, and very supportive. Best of all, the registration fee for graduate students was $40, and that includes an opening night reception, a mentoring lunch, and a bag of swag. So far, I'm really impressed by the quality of the research and closeness of the community. I have found the regional MLA's (like PAMLA) to also be a bit smaller, a bit more manageable than the national MLA conference. For grad students in CA, I was also hugely impressed by the professionalism and organization of Significations, the grad student conference CSULA puts on every year. This summer, I will be attending Computers and Writing for the first time; I can report on the experience afterwards, but I've heard that the best part of C&W is the sense of community. I have never attended Feminisms and Rhetorics, but it's another conference I hear is a phenomenal, life-changing experience; my grad student friend cried with Dorothy Allison at this year's Fem/Rhets. I am also submitting a proposal to the International Society for the History of Rhetoric (ISHR), which I hear (again) is a lovely experience, especially for grad students; though, I'm mostly interested in the locations of the conference (this year is Germany!!). rhetoricus aesalon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Q84 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I have found the regional MLA's (like PAMLA) to also be a bit smaller, a bit more manageable than the national MLA conference. I'm excited to be be attending the RMMLA this year in October! Any thoughts on that one, proflorax or anyone else who has attended? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gauche Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 I'm excited to be be attending the RMMLA this year in October! Any thoughts on that one, proflorax or anyone else who has attended? I'll be attending RMMLA too. I heard nothing but good things about it. They're very welcoming to grad students for one thing, and it's less intimidating to attend and present unlike the big national conferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhr Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 I was fortunate to (help) play host to CWCon this past year, and I can vouch for value of attending. While the presentations are a bit odd at times (WoW, Sparkeponies), there really was a great sense of community. The keynotes (Karl Stolley, Katie King, James Gee) were all amazing, and available to chat after they spoke. Outside events opened up opportunities for networking for grad students that other conferences may not. Plus the GRN means that grad students can get travel funds a bit easier, even if they don't get a panel. Obviously, I'm biased, but I plan to go as often as possible in the future. I've also heard good things about FemRhet and RMMLA. I think the smaller conferences, especially ones with a specific genre, create their own communities, and getting tied in to one opens up many doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Q84 Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 I'll be attending RMMLA too. I heard nothing but good things about it. They're very welcoming to grad students for one thing, and it's less intimidating to attend and present unlike the big national conferences. Awesome. What session are you in? I've also heard good things about FemRhet and RMMLA. I think the smaller conferences, especially ones with a specific genre, create their own communities, and getting tied in to one opens up many doors. I was hoping this would be the case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gauche Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Awesome. What session are you in? I messaged you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Q84 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Anyone applying for this year's PAMLA? Submissions due this Thursday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emily.rose Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I will be attending RMMLA also! I'm actually from the East Coast, but it's an excuse to head out west. I'm actually not in grad school (yet) and I graduated undergrad a year ago, so I'm attending as an independent scholar. Will this be weird for me? I'm applying to PhD and MA programs this coming year, so I thought it would be a good experience and a way to refine my writing sample. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
literary_tourist Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Went to PAMLA last year. It was ok, but I think I want to attend smaller conferences so more people can comment on my work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Q84 Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Went to PAMLA last year. It was ok, but I think I want to attend smaller conferences so more people can comment on my work. Good "feather in your cap," though, no? I will be attending RMMLA also! I'm actually from the East Coast, but it's an excuse to head out west. I'm actually not in grad school (yet) and I graduated undergrad a year ago, so I'm attending as an independent scholar. Will this be weird for me? I'm applying to PhD and MA programs this coming year, so I thought it would be a good experience and a way to refine my writing sample. I'll see you there! What panel are you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gauche Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 I will be attending RMMLA also! I'm actually from the East Coast, but it's an excuse to head out west. I'm actually not in grad school (yet) and I graduated undergrad a year ago, so I'm attending as an independent scholar. Will this be weird for me? I'm applying to PhD and MA programs this coming year, so I thought it would be a good experience and a way to refine my writing sample. It's not weird to attend as an independent scholar. The chair of my panel is an independent scholar, and she regularly attends RMMLA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
literary_tourist Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Good "feather in your cap," though, no? Of course it is . The deadline for this year's PAMLA is tonight. I'm not submitting anything though, because I want to concentrate my efforts into TAing, RAing and coursework. This is going to be my first year as a Phd student so I know I have lots of things to adjust to, and moving to another country is one of them. Still, the Riverside conference looks awesome, and if tickets to California from Montreal weren't so expensive, I would gladly attend again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caligula0305 Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Anyone applying for this year's PAMLA? Submissions due this Thursday! I just got accepted to PAMLA. I'm psyched, but this is my first conference, so I am also a bit nervous. Have people who presented here in the past found this conference to be a friendly environment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toasterazzi Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 @Caligula I presented at PAMLA last year and found everybody to be quite friendly and welcoming. Plus, the weather was beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imaginary Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 My major interest is feminism and race in sci fi.I can probably only present at one conference next year. Which is best - Wiscon, the Eaton conference, or ALA ,(for a panel on Octavia Butler? ) Mind, I realize I may only be accepted at one. But if I had to choose, which is best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Eaton for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfLorax Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I remember some folks were gonna be at Computers and Writing this week! After thirteen hours of travel (metro! plane! plane! shuttle!), I am happily resting in the dorm room at WSU. If you're also here, PM me or connect on the Twitter: @ruthieoo. YAY FRIENDS! rhetoricus aesalon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhr Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 I'm here, and having a blast. East Coast time is kicking my ass though. I was up before six both days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfLorax Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 I'm here, and having a blast. East Coast time is kicking my ass though. I was up before six both days. Same. I woke up at 4:30AM yesterday, and managed to sleep in until 5:00AM today. I actually like having these quiet morning hours to myself, though. I've gotten lots of work done (both on my presentation and on self-care in the form of vegging). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imaginary Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 What is the word on Readercon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyCatherinedeBourgh Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I'll be at PAMLA this year too! First professional conference presentation, so I'm a bit nervous. Should be fun though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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