FSR Blog (Blog) Submission Policy
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS
The FSR BLOG is a place where studies regarding the intersections between feminism and religion are shared with a wide audience. The Blog includes an academic conversation about religion in feminist studies and feminism in Religious Studies, but is equally concerned with how feminist activists identify as religious. We invite blogs that engage with scholarship while facing the wider public.
We understand feminism intersectionally, as both a commitment to the analysis of intersecting systems of oppression and the inclusion of all the diverse voices raised to counter oppression and articulate the well being of all people, all women, and all who struggle against injustice around the globe. This chorus of voices name themselves as womanist, mujerista, feminist, queer, Native American, Asian American, and those yet to come. Often authors write blogs in response to current issues and events, but this is not always the case. We welcome blogs related to pedagogy, scholarship, and research as well.
In support of FSR’s commitment to combat anti-Black racism and in support of anti-racism more broadly, we especially welcome submissions from people of color. We highly encourage potential blog authors to engage and cite work by all scholars and activists of color. By centering the voices of such individuals, we raise up the necessary and valuable perspectives of those who have been marginalized under the long tradition of religion and/or religious studies.
Blogs can be single-authored or written with a team. We welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds, including but not limited to students, contingent faculty, and independent scholars. Authors may choose to contribute to an @theTable open call or write a standalone blog. Authors can also respond to a previously-published blog. If you have any questions about whether your submission would be a good fit, or about the process of submission review, please reach out to our submissions editor, Jennifer Maidrand.
Blog Style
Blog posts submitted should not be under consideration elsewhere. They should include a title, be around 800 words, use hyperlinks for citations, and when possible and relevant, incorporate photo, video, etc. (N.B. All visual media must have a reference and/or hyperlink to the original source). We do not accept traditional book reviews; review or analysis of a book must be done in light of current scholarship and events that connect the contribution to the purpose statement of the FSR Blog.
We welcome and encourage authors to use language that is inclusive. Authors should use gender pronouns and other descriptors that respect an individual or a community’s mode of self-identifying. Authors are welcome to use the singular ‘they’ pronoun if this is appropriate. While the Blog does not enforce any particular gender or sex binary language, we ask for consistency in naming and language (for more on this, see our Transcending Transphobia @theTable) .
How will your blog be reviewed?
The FSR Blog is anonymously peer-reviewed while also being committed to deconstructing systems of exclusion and gate-keeping in the academy.
Once you submit your blog, the submission editor will quickly review it based on the guidelines below. All blog posts that meet basic criteria for the FSR Blog will be sent out anonymously to at least two reviewers among the eFSR board. Within a week you will get an initial response from our submissions editor telling you that the blog is under review. If you need a faster turnaround because of the relevance or urgency of the piece, please let our submissions editor know.
The FSR Blog is committed to mentoring and encouraging all who wish to publish a blog, particularly those from underrepresented groups in the academy. Our editorial team is willing to work with authors to transform writing into its best version. If you receive reviewer comments that are confusing or upsetting, please do not hesitate to reach out to the submissions editor for help. If you are interested, they can connect you with a reviewer who can provide you more guidance. And please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help writing a first draft.
Reviewers are asked to evaluate submissions not only on the basis of their stylistic fit but also on their contribution to feminist discourses, their acquaintance with significant issues in the women’s movement, and their vision of social and/or religious change. Writing that is in any way sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise discriminatory will not be accepted.
All authors retain their own copyrights for their written works. We welcome and encourage authors and readers to copy, reference or quote from the content of their blog postings, so long as reprints include both author and website attribution.
Contact:
Resources:
Our Open Call (rolling submissions): Call for Submissions
How To Blog: “Like Falling Off a Blog” and “Blogs and Us” by Mary E. Hunt
Past FSR @theTable Topics:
Racism and the Feminist Study of Religion