Life Writing is one of the leading journals in the field of biography and autobiography, and publishes scholarly articles, critically informed creative personal essays, and book reviews.
We have a special interest in interdisciplinary approaches, cross-cultural experience, and non-Anglophone contexts, though our themes have ranged widely, such as: illness and disability, philosophy and autobiography, the 'limits' of life writing, South African life narrative, women and ageing, and more.
We make sure that work entrusted to us receives expert and sensitive reviewing, and prioritise handling it with speed and efficiency.
A list of books that have resulted from Life Writing themed editions can be found at: www.routledge.com/Life-Writing/book-series/LFWR
Academic Articles:
If you would like to submit an academic article or suggest a theme for a special edition, please contact the editor, Dr Maureen Perkins, at [email protected]
Essays:
If you have a submission for our Essay section, please contact Dr Kylie Cardell, at [email protected]
Essays differ from academic articles in that a high level of analysis and referencing is less important, but the reflexive 'I' should filter the subject matter. On the continuum from discursive/analytical to creative, this work will fall somewhere in the middle. In other words, we do not publish purely creative essays, ficto-criticism, or memoir, but we may include essays that fall into the genre of autoethnography. For examples of different ways in which this approach might be expressed, see Sue Eckstein's ' A Private Life Made Public' (LW 10.4, 2013) or Vinh Nguyen's ' M?-search, Hauntings, and Critical Distance' (LW 12.4, 2015). If you are unsure if the particular form of creative writing that you have in mind would suit Life Writing, please contact the Essays Editor, Dr Kylie Cardell, Flinders University ( [email protected]).
Book Reviews:
If you would like to submit a book review or ask for a copy of book to be sent to you for review, please contact either Dr Lis Hanscombe or Dr Muireann Leech, at one of these addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]
"I want to sing the praises of the editors of the journal. Their interventions and communications made the paper and the revising of it a pleasurable process–or at least as pleasurable as revising can be."
"Good editing is a crucial part of our scholarly work. When it is done well, you feel that you are in not just capable but supportive hands. I feel that the editors care about my work–and about me. That’s respectful and rewarding in every possible way. Thank you CH and MP at
Life Writing."
Peer Review Policy
All research articles in this journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymized refereeing by two independent referees.
Authors can choose to publish gold open access in this journal.
Read the Instructions for Authors for information on how to submit your article.
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