The Mark Twain Circle has issued the following calls for papers for the next MLA convention (January 6-9, 2011; Los Angeles): "Mark Twain: Facing the End." Papers on Twain's self-appraisals and appraisals of the world situation in the final years of his life; 250-word abstracts by 5 March; James Leonard ([log in to unmask]). "Open Topic." Any topic related to the life and work of Mark Twain; 250-word abstracts by 5 March; James Leonard ([log in to unmask]). Note that, for the first time in many years, the date for the convention has been shifted away from the fixed range of December 27-30 to the new meeting dates in early January. Jim Leonard (V-P of the Mark Twain Circle)