Submissions

Submissions to AJR are accepted on a rolling basis. There are many advantages to publishing with a digital journal. AJR maintains the professional standards of traditional print journals with accelerated timelines due to the nature of the digital format. The AJR platform also allows for the embedding of images, audio clips, videos, and hyperlinks at the author’s discretion. All articles will be listed with RAMBI – The Index of Articles on Jewish Studies with the ISSN 2769-4860. 

AJR is committed to leveraging our digital format to further the access of contributors from a variety of backgrounds and professional situations, especially those who are underrepresented in the academy or who face structural barriers. We encourage all potential contributors to be in touch with the relevant editors with questions concerning content, scope, or developmental editing. 

We invite submissions in five categories: Peer-Reviewed Articles, Essays, Pedagogy, Forums, and Reviews. Detailed Submission Guidelines for each section can be found below. Please email submissions to ancientjewreview@gmail.com as word document files.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

AJR offers a dedicated double-blind peer-reviewed platform that is free and open-access. We seek submissions produced across a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to biblical and religious studies, classics, and history. We welcome submissions from scholars both in and outside the field of Ancient Judaism and encourage work that engages all aspects of the ancient world.  

We are especially interested in articles whose main audience is the college classroom. Topics may include states of the field, introductions to big questions, overviews of major debates, or synopses of particular texts and related themes. Contact a relevant editor if you’d like help developing an idea.  

Articles should be submitted as Word Documents, Font: Times New Roman or its equivalent, Size: 12pt. We follow the Chicago Manual of Style (15th edition) for footnotes and all other questions of style. Suggested word count: 4,000-6,000 words, excluding footnotes. A cover page with the author’s name, affiliation if relevant, five keywords associated with the submission, and a 250-word abstract should be included. All subsequent pages should remove any mention of the author’s name or any other identifying marks. By submitting a manuscript for consideration to AJR, the author also certifies that the article has not appeared in any other publication in whole, unless express permission from the other publisher has been obtained. All submissions should be emailed to ancientjewreview@gmail.com with the subject line “peer review submission.”

Essays

AJR publishes short-form essays (1,000-2,000 words) on varied topics. AJR welcomes pitches in addition to pieces at any stage of the writing process. 

We also solicit short-form essays defined by type, including dissertation spotlights, interviews, publication previews, retrospectives, and unexpected influences. See the short descriptions of each below:

  • Dissertation spotlights: In these essays, recent PhD’s provide an overview of their argument, a brief outline of the chapters, and intervention(s) in the field. Authors may also discuss how they plan to transform their dissertation research into their first book project. These pieces highlight new research concerning the ancient world.

  • Interviews: These transcriptions of conversations between authors of new monographs and a fellow scholar provide a glimpse into the research and writing process behind recent publications. Such exchanges also facilitate reflection on the state of the field and trajectories for future research. 

  • Publication Previews: Authors of forthcoming and recent monographs provide a summary of their argument and situate their work within the field. These essays often feature self-reflection on motivating questions driving the project and aims for shaping future research. 

  • Retrospectives: Reflecting on their careers as researchers and teachers, senior scholars offer their perspectives on key developments within the field. These essays reflect upon individual publications, trends and debates, and ideas for the future.

  • Unexpected Influences: What is the one non-field-specific book that has influenced you the most? We want to know!

 All submissions should be emailed to ancientjewreview@gmail.com with the subject line “Essays.”

Pedagogy

The Pedagogy section aims to be a resource where instructors of Ancient Judaism and the ancient/late ancient world more broadly can share ideas, lessons, and materials. We invite submissions of original pedagogical material, including descriptions of activities, worksheets, reading guides, and any other original pedagogical materials accompanied by detailed instructions for implementation and a description of pedagogical goals.

All activities for classroom implementation should include a description of the context(s) in which they could be used and an explanation of the goals and motivations of the material. All student work should have the written permission for publication. Submissions should be sent to ancientjewreview@gmail.com with the subject line “Pedagogy.”

Forums

AJR regularly publishes conference panels and forums organized around a central theme. If you are interested in submitting a panel/forum for publication, email ancientjewreview@gmail.com with the subject line “Forum.”

REVIEWS

AJR welcomes book reviews of the latest scholarly work in all fields related to the study of the ancient world. Potential reviewers should contact the relevant Associate or Content Editor to inquire about books available for review or to request a particular title. We will request an advance copy of the book directly from the publisher to be sent to potential reviewers. 

We aim to publish reviews of academic monographs that strive to situate the work in a particular field or subfield. Rather than simply summarize each chapter, reviews should draw out the major questions and contributions of the work. Reviews are requested within 3 months of receiving the book. We recommend reviews of 1,500-2000 words. We prefer reviewers who are untenured or graduate students.