Tucson, AZ – September 20-24, 2023
Papers (15-20 min.) and panels (submit names of participants) on ANY aspect of John Updike’s work or life will be considered, but topics that are especially appropriate for this conference include:
—John Updike’s poetry. His Collected Poems celebrates a 30th anniversary in 2023. Updike was serious about poetry and published ten volumes throughout this lifetime. Significantly, his first published book in 1958 was a volume of poetry (The Carpentered Hen and Other Tame Creatures), and one of his last published books in 2009 was a volume of poetry (Endpoint and Other Poems).
—The Centaur, whichcelebrates a 60th anniversary in 2023. The Southwest is known for inspiring artists, and narrator Peter Caldwell is an artist.
—“A Desert Encounter,” in which Updike describes losing a favorite hat in the casita parking lot as he was trimming bushes. Also appropriate are Updike’s writings about travel, nature, and/or connections to history.
—Comparative papers on David Foster Wallace and Updike. “Penis with a thesaurus” remarks aside, Updike was an influence on Wallace, and their publications and career trajectories pose some interesting possibilities for discussion. Tucson is Wallace country; he attended the Univ. of Arizona.
—Brazil, whichcelebrates a 30th anniversary in 2023 and represents one of Updike’s attempts to understand a culture other than his own.
SUBMIT PROPOSALS along with a brief bio paragraph by March 20, 2023 to Robert Luscher (luscherr@unk.edu). The number of presenters may be capped, so if your participation is dependent upon having a paper accepted you should submit your proposal sooner rather than later. Presenters must be members of The John Updike Society or join after their papers have been accepted. Annual dues are $30/year for regular membership and $25/year for students and retirees (https://blogs.iwu.edu/johnupdikesociety/join/). Decision notices will be sent within three weeks of your submission, along with registration and lodging information, if your proposal is successful. Moderators are also needed, and volunteers should send an email to Robert Luscher indicating a desire or willingness to do so. Thanks to the generosity of the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, the society is once again able to award a small number of travel grants to enable young scholars to participate.
Full Registration Information will be posted and emailed to members soon.
The John Updike Society is a welcoming organization of 260+ members from 18 countries and 37 states that also owns and operates The John Updike Childhood Home in Shillington, Pa.