Welcome to the Dime Novels & Juvenile Series Books community! We’re so happy you’re here and we want you take full advantage of the opportunities our new platform provides. Please read over the code of conduct so we can continue to ensure a safe and supportive space for all. Thank you for your dedication to the Popular Culture Association!

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Dime Novels and Juvenile Series Books area is accepting proposals for presentations at the next PCA/ACA annual conference, to be held in Atlanta, GA from April 8-11, 2026. Submissions typically open in September and close in November. See https://pcaaca.org for more information about the conference.

The area has two distinct but related areas of interest: juvenile series books of all types and eras, including 20^th-century publications like those of the Stratemeyer Syndicate and its imitators (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, etc.), as well as more recent and ongoing series (Harry Potter, Twilight, Choose Your Own Adventure, etc.); and the series books’ precursors: early popular publications for mass audiences of all ages (dime novels, nickel weeklies, story papers, etc.). Papers addressing either or both of these areas will be considered.

Papers may cover (but are not limited to) any aspect of the following topics: authors, publishers, major characters, themes, readership, bibliography or research methods, social commentary, early or noteworthy genre forms, print culture, special collections, and representation of gender, race, class, etc.

Participants do not need to be academics or professional writers.

All participants are requested to submit a 250-word abstract with title. First-time participants with this division are encouraged to submit a 1-2 page proposal, including a bibliography, along with the abstract. Email communication is welcomed from potential members desiring feedback on a proposal topic prior to making a formal submission.

Early submission is strongly encouraged.

Please send all inquiries to:

Matthew Short

Northern Illinois University

mshort@niu.edu

Emily Hamilton-Honey

SUNY Canton

hamiltone@canton.edu

Important Dates to Remember:

• Database opens for Submissions - Sept. 1, 2025
• Early Bird Registration Begins - Sept. 1, 2025
• Deadline for Paper Proposals - Nov. 30, 2025
• Travel Grant Applications Due - Dec. 15, 2025
• Early Bird Registration Ends for Presenters - Dec. 31, 2025
• Regular Registration Begins for Presenters - Jan. 1, 2026 
• Travel Grant Decisions / Notifications - Jan. 31, 2026
• Regular Registration Ends for Presenters - Jan. 31, 2026
• Late Registration Starts for Presenters - Feb. 1, 2026
• Preliminary Program draft available - Feb. 6, 2026

Those Presenters Not Registered by Feb. 15 Will be Dropped from the Program

CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA, GA - April 8-11, 2026