About the Symposium

La Société Étoilée invites scholars, students, artists, and storytellers to gather for a two-day symposium exploring the enduring power of folklore and mythology.

Fables & Firelight will feature panels, performances, and conversations that illuminate the ancient roots and modern echoes of myth in culture, identity, belief, and art. From trickster tales to cosmic creation stories, we seek voices that keep the old stories alive and burning. But we also invite broader interpretations: How do stories act as shelter? When do they burn or illuminate? What truths lie within the fantastic?

Call for Presentations & Journal Submissions

We are currently accepting proposals for:

• 15-minute presentations

• Panel discussions (3–4 presenters)

• Journal article submissions for the inaugural issue of Equinox, our companion publication

Submission Guidelines

We welcome proposals from undergraduates, graduate students, independent researchers, academics, creatives, and the general public. You do not need an institutional affiliation—only a thoughtful approach to folklore or mythology.

Topics might include (but are not limited to):

• Regional or ancestral folklore

• Mythological archetypes

• Folklore in literature or film

• Ritual and oral tradition

• Feminist or decolonial approaches to myth

• Ghost stories, monsters, and magic

Deadline & Format

• Submission Deadline: August 31, 2025

• Presentations: 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A

• Format: In-person at Moon River Cafe; hybrid participation via Zoom available upon request

Submit Your Proposal

We accept the following submission types:

• Scholarly Essays — 2,000 to 6,000 words

• Short-Form Papers or Presentations — Adapted from conference talks (1,000–2,000 words)

• Reviews or Reflections — Brief commentary on relevant works, exhibitions, or ideas (up to 1,500 words)

Please include the following in your submission email or form:

• A brief abstract (no more than 250 words)

• Your submission as a Word doc (.doc/.docx) or PDF

• A 100-word bio written in the third person

• If applicable, any image permissions or captions

Helpful hints:

• Use 12-point serif font (Times New Roman or similar)

• Double-spaced for text-based work

• Citations may follow MLA, APA, or Chicago style—please be consistent

• Footnotes or endnotes are permitted

• Please title your file: LastName_Title_Equinox

Submissions for the Symposium and for consideration to Equinox’s inaugural issue, Volume I: Fables & Firelight, are due by August 31, 2025.

Who May Submit

We warmly welcome submissions from:

• Undergraduate and graduate students

• Independent and unaffiliated researchers

• Established scholars and educators

• Artists, writers, folklorists, and lifelong learners

You do not need institutional affiliation to be considered. We encourage thoughtful, original work from all backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives.

How to Submit

Please email your submission to: contact@themoonrivercafe.com
Subject Line: [Your Last Name] – Journal Submission

Have questions? Contact us at: contact@themoonrivercafe.com