As the rivers of the Mississippi branch and converge, so too do writers’ styles, tastes, and even their primary genres. Over time, this evolution can result in new and surprising forms in much the same way that the flow of the river may erode and thereby shape its banks. In this panel, we will examine how and why we might explore new styles and forms of writing, and what this might offer in terms of innovation, insight, and play. We will also discuss how this opportunity for evolution provides an answer to the ever-changing social and political circumstances of our world.