CALL FOR PAPERS: MULTIVERSE CONVENTION 2026

Event Date & Location: October 16-October 18, 2026, Hilton Peachtree City, 2443 HWY 54 West, Peachtree City, Georgia, 30269

Deadline for Submissions: May 2, 2026

Name of Organization: Multiverse Convention

Organization Website: https://www.multiversecon.org

Contact Email: Kenneth Broome, Jr., Learn@Multiversecon.org

CONVENTION THEME:

Multiverse Convention was formed from our belief that great stories don’t only come from the books and comics we love to read. Each fan is their own universe as well, with their own unique story to tell. Added together, these infinite stories create the Multiverse of modern fandom.

This Multiverse also informs the creation of works of speculative fiction, a body of work encompassing every imaginable academic field. In this light, we seek to create a multidisciplinary academic program that will showcase the innumerable ways speculative fiction is inspired by various branches of academia.  

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Multiverse Convention is seeking academic presentations of 15, 25, and (a limited number) 45 minutes in length or academic discussion panels of 45 minutes (plus 15 minutes for Q&A) for the upcoming year’s convention. While we require presentations to reflect some academic scholarship, we are not requesting conference paper readings. Presentations or panels only, please. A point of contact person may submit for a group or group members may submit separately; however, make sure to note that you are submitting as part of a group of presentations and that you have a point of contact person.

We want presentations and panels to approach an academic topic in a way that many of our non-academic audience members and attendees will find accessible and entertaining. Presenters and panelists also do not have to be academics, and we invite anyone who wants to present or has a panel idea to apply. Ideally, these presentations and panels should incorporate a core theme or topic of interest from the speculative fiction genre.

Example topics may include, but are definitely not limited to:

• An interesting historical event that garners immense speculation. What really happened? Could Abraham Lincoln really have been a vampire hunter?

• A comparison between modern governments and dystopian societies seen in books and films. Think Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Divergent, etc.

• The application of a sociological lens in examining a popular speculative fiction TV show or movie such as The Handmaid’s Tale or Interview with the Vampire.

• From a scientific angle, could one of the monsters from horror tropes really exist? Could the cryptids of folklore and legend be roaming about?

• How might the fantasy elements of speculative fiction lend themselves to child development in teaching various lessons?

• A chemistry presentation that teaches children how to create spider webbing.

• The ways fantasy and horror games mirror the politics of our society.

• The impact of the “gamer identity” in the growing populous.

• A presentation on new, emerging technologies or scientific breakthroughs (e.g., artificial intelligence, biotech, space travel, etc.) that could appear in future films.

Presentations and panels on specific authors, works of fiction, or genres within speculative fiction are also welcome. Of particular interest are presentations or panels on the works of any of our Guests of Honor and/or that focus on voices within speculative fiction that are not typically amplified. Presentations and panels that can allow for collaboration with our other tracks found here are welcomed too.

Please note: we would like to include at least one presentation per convention day that fits our theme and is targeted to a child/family friendly audience, so please submit those presentation proposals, as well. Our definition of child/family targeted includes any images, videos, or handouts accompanying the presentation.

To apply, please click the button at the bottom of the page. You will be asked to provide the following in your submission:

• 300-500 word abstract

• Preliminary bibliography (This does not have to be a Works Cited or Bibliography page)

• Length of presentation (15, 25, or 45-minute category), or a 45-minute panel discussion

• 100-word professional biography (of each participant) that should reflect any academic credentials or include any credentials in general

• Any required props or specialized A/V equipment

• Do you have any special accommodations or other requests we should be aware of? (Any request to do a long-distance video presentation should be indicated here, please)

• What are your (and all participants) pronouns?

Please note, that if select all participants will also need to submit a photo that will appear on the Multiverse website.

Email any questions about the CFP to Kenneth Broome, Jr. at: Learn@Multiversecon.org

Submissions for this CFP will be accepted on a rolling basis up until Friday, May 1, 2026. Acceptances will be sent out no later than Friday, May 31, 2026.

Accepted presenters will receive a complimentary weekend Multiverse membership for 2026 and may be invited to participate in panels within the convention’s other programming tracks.

This CFP can also be downloaded in PDF form.