It occurred to me this morning as I was circulating the following calls for papers that a paper on Mark Twain and music might be interesting...and then I realized that I know of nothing that has ever been written about Mark Twain and music. I'm probably overlooking something very obvious, but .... MUSIC AND WRITING IN THE U.S. SOUTH (MLA 2009; deadline 3/5/09) Proposals welcome on the connections, intersections, and interactions between music and writing in the southern United States. Papers might address the nature of narrative and lyric in southern writing; oral traditions of song and chant; the role of the musician in southern literature; the blues (or jazz) aesthetic in literature; or southern writing and any aspect of musical expression. These suggestions are not meant to be exhaustive—other approaches are welcome. Please send abstracts of 300-500 words, along with any requests for a-v support, to Barbara Ladd ([log in to unmask]) by March 5, 2009. Inquiries welcome. Barbara Ladd Emory University