Author Guidelines

Submissions are now open for the eleventh issue of the Digital Literature Review, “Multispecies Encounters.” This year, we are looking for writing and visual work that explore multispecies theory—the complex interactions and encounters between the components of our shared environment. Multispecies theory strives to de-center humans when examining our interactions with non-humans, offering new ways of paying attention to the diverse living and non-living beings in our environment. Non-human subjects—animals, plants, fungi, food, water, soil, air, space, electronics, bacteria—inhabit the same world we do, and submissions to “Multispecies Encounters” should engage with and challenge the way we encounter them, write about them, and research them. For example, what defines an emotional support animal, and how can we shift our focus and understand our connection to our pets differently? Or, how are multispecies encounters portrayed in books, movies, tv, or other popular media? How does media reflect an anthropocentric worldview, and how do we go about assigning our meaning to non-human beings? We encourage submitters to explore the many nuances within the new study of multispecies theory. 

Essay submissions must be supported by scholarly research. Submissions should be between 2,500 and 5,000 words, and adhere to MLA citation and formatting guidelines with double-spacing and 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Submit essays as a Word document. We are also considering visual pieces, creative writing, and/or artwork that explore elements of multispecies theory. Please indicate the “type” of your work (essay, visual art, creative writing) in the submission portal on the DLR website. Please direct any questions to dlr@bsu.edu. All journal submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 28th.

Essay Submission Guidelines

• Paper submissions should be saved as a Microsoft Word document.
• Papers should be in MLA style format.
• Papers should be between 2,500 and 5,000 words (or 10-20 double-spaced pages).
• Submissions are to be well researched and must contribute to ongoing scholarly conversations.
• All submissions will be blindly reviewed, so please do not put your name on your essay.
• Submissions will close on January 28th, 2024.

Blog Submission Guidelines

• Posts should address the theme of “Multispecies Encounters"
• Possible blog submissions may include high-resolution JPEG original photography (digital original prints), drawings, paintings, and digital art. We are also seeking poems or other short creative works, personal stories and testimonies, and TV, film, or music reviews (up to 5 separate pieces). Written pieces should be under 1500 words and submitted as a Word document. 
• Please include a biographical statement (3-5 sentences) and a rationale (4-5 sentences) with your submission.
• Please send all blog submissions via email to dlr@bsu.edu with “Blog Submission” as the subject.
• Submissions will be accepted and posted here on a rolling basis.

What happens next?

• The editing team will review your work.
• If accepted, you will have a chance to revise your piece and return it to the Digital Literature Review at dlr@bsu.edu. Along with this, you will need to include an abstract and a short bio about yourself.