TexMoot:
The Second Annual Texas
Literature & Language Symposium

19 January 2019
Waco Convention Center
Waco, Texas

Keynote Speaker:
TBA

Signum University is pleased to announce its second annual Texas Literature & Language Symposium (aka “TexMoot”) on Saturday, January 19th, 2019, at the Waco Convention Center on the lovely Brazos River. TexMoot will offer a gleeful gallimaufry of short papers, longer talks, lively curated conversations, writing and podcasting workshops, a panel of special guests, a keynote presentation, creative performances, gaming, a costume contest, dancing, and lots of fellowship and local flavor. Register now to enjoy this balanced blend of academic rigor and avid literary fandom. Stay tuned on the Announcements page and in our Facebook group for more information about special guests, optional pre-conference activities, lodging, workshop participation, local eateries, and more. Email info@texmoot.org with questions.

Registration

The symposium fee is $30 for regular registration, $25 for a student with a valid student ID, and $75 for a family. Donations are also very welcome to help cover costs! The fee includes all symposium activities on Saturday, Jan. 19th, light breakfast, and afternoon refreshments. Symposium attendees will be given information about local restaurants within walking distance for lunch and about purchasing dinner.

You can register for TexMoot at TBD.

What is a “Moot”? 

The word “moot” refers to a meeting or legislative assembly and also the place in which that meeting is held. It’s from the Old English -mot, which could be appended to the end of a word, as in “Texmoot.” It was made famous by the “Entmoots” of the tree-shepherding Ents in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

Signum University sponsors regional gatherings called “moots” throughout the year. These are times of academic conversation and fellowship that often include creative presentations and special guests. Although these conferences may vary in flavor, they are united by a love of stories and the people who read them.

Waco Convention Center

The Waco Convention Center at 100 Washington Ave is the premier meeting and event facility for Central Texas. We will be meeting in the Ranger Rooms on the lower level. Come in through the main entrance, pictured below, and follow the signs or ask the friendly staff. Here is a handy floor plan to help you find where we will be meeting. 

From the north, take Route 35 to Martin Luther King Blvd, then Washington Avenue south. From the south, take Route 35 to University Parks Drive. From Houston, take I-45 to 484, then Martin Luther King Blvd. 

Parking Information

There is parking on all sides of the building; we recommend using the lot off Washington Ave between 3rd and 4th streets, then entering through the main entrance on Washington.

Friendly Spaces Policy

TexMoot 2019 and Signum University are dedicated to providing a harassment-free venue and conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, physical appearance, age, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, national origin, veteran status or religion—and not limited to these aspects. We do not tolerate any form of harassment of conference participants. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue or talks. Any participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Harassment includes but is not limited to offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, physical appearance, age, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, national origin, or religion. Harassment also includes sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, unwelcome following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff can be identified by special badges.

Staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all TexMoot and Signum University venues, all conference venues, and conference-related social events.

Registration

The symposium fee is $30 for regular registration, $25 for a student with a valid student ID, and $75 for a family. Donations are also very welcome to help cover costs! The fee includes all symposium activities on Jan. 19th, a light breakfast, and afternoon refreshments. Symposium attendees will be given information about local restaurants within walking distance for lunch and about purchasing dinner.

You can register for TexMoot at TBD.

For more information, please email info@texmoot.org.

Cordially,
your TexMoot Team

Sørina Higgins
Jeremy Morgan
Richard Rohlin