Submissions

In addition to our digital magazine, which focuses on author interviews and reviews of new academic books, plays, poetry collections, and, occasionally, works of literary/experimental fiction, we also host a blog with posts on bookish and academic-adjacent topics, including the popular series’ “academics in fiction”, which analyses the representation of academics across different media and “read about”, where experts recommend their favourite books in their area.

We accept submissions of completed works and pitches for both the blog and the magazine to: acreviewofbooks@outlook.com

General Guidelines

We ask that contributors to the digital magazine and to the blog have studied at postgraduate level or above or have professional experience in a relevant field.

All writers are asked to submit a short bio to accompany their piece.

Interviews

To pitch an interview, please include information about the person you would like to interview, the book/s and topic/s will be the focus of that interview, and a brief statement on why you are well-positioned to conduct that interview. Please also state if you are already in contact with the author.

Interviews typically run to c.2000-2500 words, including a brief introduction to the interviewee and the book or topic under discussion.

Book Reviews

We will normally only accept review requests for forthcoming titles or books published within the last year. An exception to this would be a multi-book review essay, which includes a recent/forthcoming title. 

Our book reviews are c.1000 words for single-book reviews and up to c.2500 words for a review essay. Reviews should be submitted as word documents and should state the title of each reviewed book at the top in addition to its author, its publisher, and the number of pages it contains.

Blog

General blog pitches should clearly summarise the argument you wish to make in your piece, and state why it is relevant to our readership. If you are pitching to one of our regular series, please include the series title in the subject line of your email.

Editorial Guidelines

All submissions to AC Review of Books should be submitted as word documents. American or British English spelling is accepted and should be consistent within the document (quotations, however, should retain original spelling). Referencing, where required, can be implemented in the author’s preferred style. Fonts and formatting are, likewise, at the author’s discretion.

All submissions go through a process of proofreading and copy-editing to enhance readability, minimise typographical errors, and ensure factual accuracy.

Rights and Permissions

Writers retain all rights to their original work and are free to reproduce it on personal blogs or elsewhere.

Payment

We are currently unable to pay for submissions, though reviewers will receive a free copy of the book for review, as a hard copy where possible.