Schedule: Elmira, NY July 28–29, 2026
The following schedule is more of a suggested guideline. Our guiding questions is – “how can we make this a better project for scholars and students?” As a leading group of experts on Twain Studies, we hope to hear most from you – your guidance, suggestions, questions, and concerns.
Note: Will replace following with new edited schedule (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aSMl-fM3taXni132ek7S3DscXAaR0ec6/edit
Day One — Tuesday, July 28
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Reception & Dinner to follow)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM : Welcome and Project Introduction
Stephen Rachman, Joseph Lemak, Gillian MacDonald and Dean Rehberger open the workshop with an overview of the Digital Mark Twain Day by Day project; its history, current state, visualizations, and scholarly vision. Participants introduce themselves and share their areas of Twain expertise.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch (Provided) — Informal Networking
An unstructured hour for participants to get acquainted and begin informal conversations about the project.
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Orientation to the Digital Day by Day Platform Vision
A hands-on walkthrough of the temporary wiki platform including visualizations, demonstrating the three possible tiers of scholarly contribution: minimal corrections and updates, advanced editing and annotation, and authoring new entries. Time for Q&A and exploration.
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Break (coffee)
2:45 PM – 4:15 PM: Identifying Issues and Opportunities
Facilitated small-group discussions focused on identifying gaps, errors, underdeveloped entries, and areas of opportunity within the Day by Day. Groups report back to the full workshop.
4:15 PM – 5:45 PM: Developing a Plan of Action
Full group session to prioritize the issues identified, discuss editorial standards and workflows, and begin sketching a roadmap for what the scholar community can accomplish. What does success look like in the short term? Long term?
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM: Day One Wrap-Up
Rachman and Rehberger summarize the day’s key takeaways and preview Day Two.
6:00 PM onward: Reception and Dinner
Day Two — Wednesday, July 29
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Morning Recap and Day Two Overview
Brief review of Day One outcomes and goals for the day. Final formation of working groups based on interest and expertise.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Working Group Formation and Task Assignment
Participants self-select (or are guided) into three working tracks (following are suggested but groups may work out their own plans for moving forward):
- Track A: Minimal corrections: fact-checking, citation updates, small revisions
- Track B: Advanced editing: expanding, deepening, and annotating existing entries
- Track C: New entry authorship: drafting original entries for gaps in the Day by Day
Each group establishes its focus areas and assigns specific entries or tasks.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Break
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Working Session One
Groups begin actual work on the Day by Day: editing, annotating, or drafting. Rachman and Rehberger circulate to assist and advise.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch (Provided)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Working Session Two
Continued group work, with opportunity for cross-group collaboration or consultation. Participants begin to document their planned contributions beyond the workshop.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Break (coffee)
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM: Group Reports and Future Planning
Each working group briefly presents what they worked on and what they plan to contribute going forward. Discussion of timelines, editorial process, and how the scholarly community will remain engaged after Elmira 2026.
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Session
Rachman and Rehberger offer closing remarks. Participants make concrete commitments for future contributions. Final thank-yous and transition to the Elmira 2026 conference.