We are seeking submissions from individuals and organisations to present at Austen Con 2021, our fourth annual Jane Austen convention, to be held in Melbourne and online on Saturday 6th November 2021, 10am to 4pm AEST. We are looking for entertaining, thoughtful and critical research-based presentations that provide opportunities for attendees to participate or interact with the topic or demonstration.

Some examples of what this looked like at Austen Con 2020 are: 

• A workshop on Bath Buns, with a discussion about the science and history of bread making, and where bread fits into Austen’s life and work

• A presentation on the importance of landscapes in Austen’s writing during which attendees drew their own landscapes

• An improvised performance of Jane Austen novel, followed by a Q&A with the actors that focused on Austen’s use of stereotypes and archetypes

We’re keen to hear from writers, creators, artists, teachers, lecturers, experts, amateurs, and Austen-ites of all types, and we’d particularly love to hear from underrepresented voices. 

We’re also keen to hear from you if you have a solely academic or solely practical focus, and would like to be matched with a fellow presenter. Presentations should be 50 mins in length, allowing for a question and answer period afterwards, or 60 mins in total if you have built-in time for questions and answers. 

Please get in touch with our Creative Director via email at sharmini@24carrotproductions with a few sentences outlining your presentation until July 31st.