Submitting a Proposal
1. Choosing an Area: The Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association are divided into subject areas, each with an Area Chair or Co-Chairs. Clicking on the URL below will take you to the list of subject areas and area chairs.
http://www.pcaaca.org/areas/areas.php
In some cases, your presentation may fit into multiple areas. You will have to make a choice. To help you, Area Chairs have placed Calls for Papers (CFP) on the website. To see an area's CFP's, click on the highlighted name. . If you are still not sure if your proposal is a good fit for an Area, email the Area Chairs to discuss whether your presentation is suitable. If not, you may repeat the process with another area and Area Chair.
Please remember, however, to select only one area; conference participants are allowed to give only one paper. If an Area Chair declines your proposal, you may then submit the proposal to another area, but do not submit a proposal to two or more areas simultaneously. For anyone who nevertheless sends out multiple proposals, the PCA/ACA may select only one of the proposals for inclusion.
2. Proposing a paper topic: Once you have decided on a presentation area, write a 100 to 250 word abstract on your proposed topic. While the proposal abstract is often written early in the preparation process, be as specific as you can.
3. Submit your proposal online. Go to http://ncp.pcaaca.org. Detailed instructions are available here: http://www.pcaaca.org/conference/instructions.php
Placing your proposal/abstract online helps the area chairs place presentations into the proper panels. You should hear back about your proposal within two to three weeks. If the wait goes longer, first contact the area chair, and then, if no response, contact Delores Raucher, the PCA/ACA program coordinator (Rausche5@msu.edu or 1-517-432-7413). She may be able to expedite a definitive answer.
3. Following acceptance of your paper: Make sure to
a) join the PCA/ACA
b) register for the conference
c) make hotel reservations.
Note: While we welcome fresh approaches to subjects, we also appreciate serious commitment to scholarship and to presenting at the conference.