As of 2010, the Western Literature Association has affiliate status with the Modern Language Association. What does this mean for WLA? This affiliate status guarantees the WLA to be able to present a panel at each MLA Conference. The first such panel will be presented during the January 6-9, 2011, MLA Conference in Los Angeles, California.

1) This first one is a guaranteed panel, the official Western Literature Association/Allied Association Panel:

Western American Transgressions: Crossing Geographical and Literary Forms
Considering western American literature as transgressive of traditional genres, categories, ideas of place; American West as subversive space of cultural production.
1-page abstract, 1-page cv by 15 March 2011; Alexander J. Hunt (ahunt@mail.wtamu.edu).

2) The next one is not guaranteed. The Western Literature Association and the 20th-Century American Literature Division would like to propose a Collaborative/Special Session:

Pacific Northwest Exchanges
Consideration of literary and cultural production related to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest as site of colonization, immigration, cultural/ethnic difference, indigenous resistance, Asian connections.
1-page abstract, 1-page cv by 15 March 2011; Alexander J. Hunt (ahunt@mail.wtamu.edu).

If you are interested in participating in a WLA panel at a future MLA Conference, please contact Alex Hunt, Assoc. Prof. of American Literature, Dept. of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages, West Texas A&M University or at ahunt@mail.wtamu.edu.