Publishing History

General Activity

Publishing History is a journal devoted to the socio-economic and literary history of book, newspaper, and magazine publishing. We cover the whole spectrum of the production, distribution, and consumption of book and print culture from the author via book trade practitioners to the reader. The journal contains scholarly articles; memoirs by contemporary publishers; conference papers; reports; archive listings; and book reviews.

Alongside scholarship on established areas, submissions which incorporate new methodologies, take a global or international perspective, utilize under-examined archives, or explore the histories of marginalized groups are warmly encouraged.

Publishing History invites original contributions, which have not been published elsewhere, in the following forms:

● Single research-focused articles of up to 10,000 words (please contact the editor if you would like to suggest a longer piece).

● Special thematic issues - three or four linked articles by different authors on a similar theme. These issues can take a variety of forms; for example, all pieces can be full-length articles, or one longer article may be accompanied by shorter comment pieces.

● Book reviews of new publications: 1,500-2,000 words.

● Extended book reviews discussing two or more works, or state of the field summaries of between 3,000 and 7,000 words.

● Submissions on the pedagogy of book history and publishing.

Articles will be peer reviewed. We welcome contributions from academics at all levels, from independent scholars, and from practitioners within the publishing industry and related fields.

The style guide is available to download here.

Recent tables of contents can be viewed here and the journal’s publisher website is here.