Submit to the Journal

The North American Journal of Welsh Studies would like to hear from anyone willing to contribute original well-written articles and reviews to the journal. We are especially keen to encourage postgraduates to publish their work and contribute reviews and ideas. The North American Journal of Welsh Studies is published by the North American Association for the Study of Welsh History and Culture, a multidisciplinary association of scholars, teachers and individuals dedicated to advancing scholarship on Welsh studies, supporting the study of Welsh-American culture, and fostering international bonds between scholars, teachers, and the Welsh-American community.

Aims and Scope

Submissions may relate to any aspect of Welsh culture and history. The NAJWS, like the NAASWCH, defines Welsh culture and history broadly and inclusively, and welcome contributions from a wide scope of disciplines, nationalities, and theoretical and methodological perspectives. Given our breadth, authors should write accessibly for both specialist and nonspecialist audiences. We accept and publish articles in both English and Welsh, but cannot, at this time, provide translation services upon publication. We also encourage highly illustrated articles which support and highlight the writing.

Publication Frequency

The NAJWS publishes one issue annually, however articles are made accessible online on a rolling basis throughout the year. 

Peer Review and Ethics

The NAJWS staff evaluates every manuscript. Those crafted with care with clear contributions towards Welsh studies are sent out for further double-blind review to at least two relevant specialists. All reviews are designed not only to evaluate the manuscript's suitability for publication in the NAJWS but also to help authors clarify their arguments and explain its broader implications. Participation is fully voluntary; publication of work is not guaranteed; and no payment is offered.

Article Preparation and Style Guide

1. Originality and Plagiarism

All manuscripts must be originally written by the accredited authors, and all authors contributing to the manuscript must be accredited. All manuscripts are screened using text-matching software for possible plagiarism. 

2. Anonymity

Anonymity of manuscripts at the submission stage significantly speeds up the review process. Ensure to remove all identifying materials throughout all submission elements, aside from your cover letter and title page. Self-citation, if readily identifiable, should also be anonymized.

3. Elements

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the journal, the NAJWS does not require specific elements within the main text. Overall, manuscripts should the following elements in the following order: title page (submitted separately), title, abstract, keywords, and main text. References should be incorporated into the text using footnotes, and images and captions should also appear where relevant within the text.

4. Word Counts

We seek (1) scholarly research articles of 5000-8000 words, (2) speculative essays (e.g. on Welsh history, literature, sport, and the arts) of 2000-3000 words, (3) features about the interrelationship between academia and the public, reviews of exhibitions, and other general news or conference reports up to 1000 words, or (4) book reviews on works published within the last three years up to 1200 words. Word counts are all inclusive (i.e. main texts, abstracts, footnotes, captions, references, etc...).

5. Abstracts and Keywords

Include an abstract of 250 words or less on the first page of the manuscript. The abstract should describe the entire paper rather than only serving as an introduction. Below the abstract, include 4-6 keywords for indexing the main topics and themes addressed in your submission.

Style Guide

1. Formatting and Submission

Please submit all materials as Microsoft Word (.docx) files via email to naaswch@gmail.com. Text should be single-spaced using a 12-point Times font. Indent paragraphs but do not include extra lines between them. 

Quotations greater than three lines should be indented with spacing before and after.

Use bold type for first-order section titles (i.e. Heading 1). Use type that is both bold and italic for second-order section titles (i.e. Heading 2). Use italics for third-order section headings (i.e. Heading 3). Do not indent the first paragraph following a heading.

2. Spelling

There is no spelling style preferred (i.e. American vs. British English). Consistency within the manuscript is required.

3. References

The NAJWS uses a Chicago-Style Footnote reference style. Authors can also refer to previous issues for guidance. Notes associated with direct quotes are typically placed at the end of a sentence or clause. Note to material not directly quoted should be placed at the end of the sentence or paragraph. Each note should correspond to a matching footnote, and full references should be included within each footnote.

Copyright

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. Authors retain their rights for further distribution or reproduction, but we ask that authors credit The North American Journal of Welsh Studies if their work is republished. All articles will be assigned a permanent DOI and be open access. We do not charge author processing fees nor fees to access any work. All articles are currently housed on the North American Association for the Study of Welsh Culture and History website while we are in discussions for a more accessible and professional home for the journal. 

Illustrations

All illustrations and tables must be in electronic format and included in the body of the paper. Figures should include numbered captions below the image (i.e. Figure 1. Image description.) with a corresponding reference in the text (figure 1). Tables should include similar titles above the table with in-text refences (i.e. table 1). All illustrations must be of high quality, and will be checked by the NAJWS editorial team for suitability (i.e. clarity and legibility) following acceptance. Obtaining copyright permission for image or graphic reproductions is the responsibility of the author(s). Consult with a librarian, public institutional archivist, or similar knowledgeable person for additional support.

APCs and Open Access

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The journal does not charge author publishing charges (APCs), and we thank the support of Michigan Technological University's College of Sciences and Arts for financial editorial support.