system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Is it possible to write articles and participate in the academic world without a degree?

I majored in English but did not end up graduating. When I was still in school, I attended and presented at the 2013 PCA/ACA Conference in Washington, D.C. I had a blast, and loved every part of the process, from research, to writing, to presenting, to discussing with other academics at the conference itself.

Even though I am no longer in school and do not have a degree, I still enjoy reading literary theory and analyzing popular culture. I remember that, as part of the application process to the conference, they asked for the institution you were associated with.

I would love to write academic articles in my spare time, and maybe even present again if given the chance, but I don't know if that's possible in my position. Since I'm not a student or professional, would there be any place for work I produce, assuming that it is still produced to academic standards?
gpt
Possible, sure.  Probably?  Not likely.  

The truth is it takes YEARS of work to develop into what is considered a "scholar".  To have any chance, you'd have to write articles and get them submitted/accepted to newspapers or literary collections to build up a reputation.

Not saying it's impossible, just very very unlikely.