The Howellsian 
Volume 3,  Number 1 (June, 1998)

The William Dean Howells Society sponsored two sessions at the annual conference of the American Literature Association, held on May 28-31, 1998, at the beautiful Bahia Resort Hotel on scenic Mission Bay in balmy San Diego. Chaired by Jesse S. Crisler, the first session, "Howells as Humorist, Stylist, Moralist," included papers from Christine Harvey (now a professor at Western Oregon University), Cynthia J. Davis (professor at the University of South Carolina), and Elsa Nettels (professor emerita at College of William and Mary), while in the second session, "Howells and the Romantic Tradition," also chaired by Crisler, those participating were Susan Stone (graduate student at the University of South Carolina), L. Terry Oggel (professor at Virginia Commonwealth University), and Sanford E. Marovitz (professor emeritus at Kent State University). Both sessions enjoyed sizable audiences, as both members of the Society and others enjoyed listening not only to extremely interesting papers but also to lively discussion which followed the formal presentations in both instances. The Society will sponsor one session, possibly two, on Howells at the next ALA in Baltimore, to be held May 20-23, 1999. Please send abstracts or papers of no more than ten double-spaced typed pages to Jesse S. Crisler (3127 JKHB, English Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602) by November 30, 1998, for consideration for presentation in a session on Howells.

On Saturday evening, the last night of the conference, the Society joined the Frank Norris Society, the Jack London Society, and the Stephen Crane Society in hosting what has become under the long-term guidance of Joseph R. McElrath (Florida State University) an eagerly awaited biennial party for members of these several author organizations. As co-host of the party, the Howells Society also helped underwrite its expenses. A special than-you goes to I. Milo Shepard for his generous contribution of wines and glasses from the famous Jack London Winery which heightened the party's festivities. The Howells Society plans to continue joint sponsorship of this function at the San Diego ALA conference.

As the Society begins its third year, membership has increased to fifty-four; a current address list accompanies this issue of The Howellsian. Membership may be renewed by sending a check for dues ($10.00) for 1997-98 to either Jesse Crisler at the address above or to Donna Campbell, Secretary-Treasurer for the Society, at English Department, Gonzaga University, 508 East Boone, Spokane, WA 99258-0018.

Donna also continues to manage the Society's Web page, which can be accessed either at http://www.gonzaga.edu/ faculty/campbell/howellsindex.html or through the Website for ALA (http://english.byu.edu/cronin/ala.html). Among other information the Society's Web page contains a membership list, notices of conferences of interest to Society members, general announcements, and a list of Society officers; it also provides easy access to other Web sites devoted to Howells. Please send any announcements for or other contributions you wish to make to the page to Donna at the address indicated above.