The NonfictioNOW Conference is currently seeking panel proposals for its 2018 conference, taking place November 1-3 in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University and held at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel and historic Orpheum Theatre.

NonfictioNOW is unique in being neither a conventional academic conference nor a writers’ festival, but rather a lively conversation among peers, one that brings together well-established writers and those just starting out. We are especially interested in proposals that defy the expectations and/or subvert the format of the traditional conference panel, as well as those that include a diverse group of participants, reflecting the inclusive and international nature of this gathering.
In the past, the most successful panels have been conceived and conducted as lively, discursive, playful, and interactive events, as opposed to the reading of a succession of individual papers. Similarly, we are enthusiastic about the great energy and range present in all of nonfiction's many forms, including literary and political essays; memoir and journalism; digital media, graphic memoirs, and hybrid essays; performance-based work; and other areas of the field. Our hope is that we might receive great proposals exploring the many different shapes of nonfiction, with variety and diversity serving to enlarging both the conversation and community present at the conference.

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE APRIL 15, 2018. You will need the following information to complete this form:

1. A panel description (150 words or less, describing your panel as you would like it to appear in the program, if selected).
2. A statement of merit (150 words or less: Why is this panel important? Why should it be selected?).
3. The complete contact information for three to five panel participants, including a program-ready bio of 50 words or less for each participant.

The NonfictioNOW Board is a rotating group of writers and academics from around the world. Panel submissions will be assessed in a timely fashion by the Board, with every effort made to have final panels confirmed by the middle of July.

Please note that individuals may appear on up to three panel proposals and may present on two. If all three proposals of a person's panels are accepted, they will have to drop off one of them.

For our full submission guidelines, please see the main NonfictioNOW site: http://www.nonfictionow.org/proposals