Call For Submissions

2026 Issue 

 

The Columbia Journal of Literary Criticism is now accepting submissions for its annual issue. Writers should either be current undergraduates or recent graduates. Your criticism does not have to be limited to a work of literature; we accept and encourage the inclusion of other artistic mediums in your analysis.

 

The Columbia Journal of Literary Criticism was established in 2002 by undergraduates in Columbia University’s Department of English and Comparative Literature. In the two decades since its founding, it has continued to operate as a peer-edited journal dedicated to publishing rigorous works of undergraduate scholarship, and has provided an important forum for interdisciplinary critique. The Journal is published once a year and includes essays, commentary, interviews, and original artwork from scholars around the world. The Columbia Journal of Literary Criticism also hosts events, including panel discussions and seminars with academics and writers. 

 

​

Submission guidelines:

Essays: Writers are encouraged to submit a piece of original critical writing  between 10 and 20 pages. You are welcome to submit an essay from an academic course, granted that the essay or an adaptation has not been published elsewhere. Essays should be scholarly work of original research

​

Pitches: Writers are welcome to submit a pitch consisting of a one page abstract with a provisional bibliography. Please include a sample of your academic writing in your submission. If accepted, The Journal will work with you to develop a full piece over the course of our publishing timeline.

 

Essays should adhere to the Chicago citation style for all references and bibliographic entries. Before submitting, please take a look at our past issues to get a sense of what we publish.

​

Please submit using this form. 

 

Submissions are due December 31st.

​