About Us

Since 1973, the Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture has grown into an internationally recognized event, drawing hundreds of participants each year. Hosted annually on the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus, the conference provides a platform for scholars and creative writers to present selected critical and creative work, curated by faculty reading committees.

The event features a rich mix of panels and discussions centered on 20th- and 21st-century literature and culture along with keynote speakers who explore topics from creative writing to global literature. Our presenters include graduate students, emerging voices, and established figures in literary studies and the arts. Each year, the conference opens with two virtual days followed by three in-person days, offering flexibility and accessibility.

Noted for its welcoming and intellectually vibrant atmosphere, the conference fosters collaboration and exchange among writers, critics, and scholars. Over the years, it has hosted an impressive roster of guests, including renowned writers such as Ishmael Reed, John Ashbery, Louise Glück, Octavia Butler, Jennifer Egan, Susan Howe, Frank Bidart, and Sherman Alexie, as well as prominent scholars like Stanley Fish, Robert Scholes, Jerome McGann, and Rachel Blau DuPlessis.

We invite you to join us at the Louisville Conference—whether as a presenter or attendee—to engage with a vibrant community of thinkers, writers, and scholars. Come be part of the conversation, share your work, and explore the evolving landscapes of literature and culture in a setting that values creativity, dialogue, and discovery. Make your voice part of a tradition that continues to shape the future of literary and cultural studies.

Interested in submitting so that you can join us for LCLC53 in 2026? Visit our Call For Papers to learn more. 

Have Questions?  Go to the contact page.