FAQs

PART 1: Submitting

What can I submit?

My essay isn’t strictly a philosophy essay. Can I submit an article containing philosophical themes?

One thing to note is that we are a Philosophy journal, so we only publish essays containing Philosophy, rather than essays containing philosophical themes, for example (this was hotly debated one semester when we received a good-quality English literature-essay containing philosophical themes). 

My essay isn’t strictly a philosophy essay. Can I submit an article about the history of Philosophy?

So, when it comes to the history of Philosophy, this is worth being aware of. Our markers and editors are trained in the analytic tradition, so place more value on argumentative rigour and interesting stances, rather than accurate recounts of philosophical ideas, which is often what is done in works on the history of philosophy. However, perhaps you provide an interesting or unusual comparison between two theories that brings something new to the table. If so, something like this would be valued highly. 

Can I submit an article on continental philosophy?

If your essay is written with a more continental approach (the way Philosophy is typically done at undergraduate level in Spain, France, Portugal, Germany and Italy, for example) whereby the focus is more strongly on accurate exposition and turning over ideas within historical works that have not yet seen the light of day, then we would welcome this angle, too. However, note that our markers and editors are trained in the analytic tradition, typical of English-speaking countries (UK, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand). Therefore, we place more value on argumentative rigour and interesting stances, rather than accurate recounts of philosophical ideas, which is often what is done in works in the continental tradition at undergraduate level. Continental works need to be read and marked in a different way. So, if you do submit something that is more in line with the continental philosophical tradition and is written in this spirit, please let us know beforehand via email, so that we can train our editors and markers to give your article the credit it deserves as a continental work. I would make sure to train the markers and editors to account for this deviation in writing style from what is typical in the Anglo-American sphere.

Why should I submit?

Our mission here at PhilonoUS is to help undergraduates improve their philosophical academic writing. So, every author that submits to us will receive personalised feedback on their work, even if it doesn’t get accepted for publication. So submitting to us is a great opportunity to get some feedback and support on your essays, and your writing style.

An integral part of our team ethos at PhilonoUS is to support you, and maximise your chances of getting work published with us. In that spirit, we want to give your article the due time and attention it deserves, so we hold the staunch position that we don’t turn people’s articles down before even reading them. So, if in doubt, submit. You have absolutely nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. 

When can I submit?

We typically publish two editions each academic year. 

We accept submissions around September and January.

How should I submit?

You can find all our submissions requirements here.

PART 2: Queries about the Process

If my article does not get accepted for publication, will I receive an email saying so?

As a journal, we try really hard to treat each of our authors who have submitted work to us with the care and attention we feel you deserve. I know it feels confusing and unpleasant to feel like you’ve not been heard, and to be in the dark about what’s going on behind the scenes. So, regardless of what the outcome of your article is, we make the effort to try to let you know the outcome. Hopefully, you’ll be informed about the outcome of your article at Step 5. The end of Step 5 is when the editorial team members provide the Customer Services Lead with the outcomes of all the articles.

In the meantime, you can always drop us an email to ask which step of the timeline we’re currently working on. This might make you feel more at ease and in-the-loop, which you totally deserve. Also, just to keep you secure as a safety net, if, for whatever reason, we fail to do this, then you can by all means send us another email (or as many as you like!) to ask about your article, and we’ll be able to let you know.

Still unsure?

Just drop us a line to u.g.phil.journal@sheffield.ac.uk if you have any doubts. We have team members who are recruited for the explicit purpose of looking after you, guiding you by the hand, and making you feel at ease about all this.

April 8, 2022