The American Printing History Association (APHA) invites submissions for lightning talks for its annual conference, Revolution in Print, taking place at the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, October 2–3, 2026. Proposals are due Friday, August 7, 2026.

This conference welcomes proposals from everyone with a passion for printing and book history, including seasoned scholars, librarians and archivists, printers and book artists, conservators, students, and hobbyists. Submissions are encouraged from people of all backgrounds, including established academics, early career professionals, and independent scholars. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich the conversation, so please do not hesitate to submit your work regardless of institutional affiliation or academic status. 

Proposals are due by Friday, August 7. Proposals will be evaluated based on their originality, clarity, relevance to the conference theme, and potential to stimulate discussion.

Proposal and Submission Guidelines

We are soliciting proposals for 15-minute individual presentations. You will receive a timely acknowledgment that your proposal has been received. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please send e-mail proposals as attachments in Microsoft Word or PDF format to: programs@printinghistory.org.

All proposals must include the following: name(s) of presenter(s); short biography (100 words maximum for each participant); title of presentation or panel; and abstract (500 words maximum).