postmedieval seeks guest editors to conceptualize, organize, and edit special issues or essay clusters focused on topics of the guest editors’ choosing. (Special issues usually consist of 8 to 12 articles and an editorial introduction. Essay clusters are of variable size, usually with a minimum of three articles.) For both special issues and essay clusters, one person may act as a guest editor, though it often works better with a partnership or team. Individual articles can be quite variable in length, usually falling between 6,000 and 8,000 words each. Finally, both special issues and essay clusters may include works in alternative genres. If your proposal is accepted, the editors will work with you to strategize, determine scope, and develop a timeline to publication.

In becoming a guest editor, you commit to the following responsibilities: soliciting contributions; securing anonymous peer reviewers and communicating with them; providing additional feedback to authors to ensure the quality and comprehensibility of each article and its fit with postmedieval’s ethos and style guide; writing an introduction; maintaining prompt email contact with postmedieval’s general editorial team; and following the publication timeline set at the start of the process. (And don’t worry: postmedieval’s Co-Editors-in-Chief will offer advice and guidance.)

There are no editorial costs involved, and guest editors will have the support of the Co-Editors-in-Chief, the Managing Editor, the Palgrave Springer production team, and members of the Editorial Board. Guest editors and contributors will receive a digital offprint of their article. Palgrave Springer does not generally make their content Open Access (outside of a fee of around $3000 USD per article or some other prior institutional arrangement), though each new issue is accessible for free on a temporary basis following publication. Authors are permitted to self-archive an accepted manuscript version of their article (prior to typesetting).

Please return the Special Issue questionnaire to postmedievalED@gmail.com by September 15, 2026 to be considered for volume 19 (2028 publication) of postmedieval, though we welcome and accept submissions for both special issues and essay clusters on a rolling basis. We recognize that applying is labor, and we are grateful to everyone who spends time and energy proposing ideas. You will receive a response from us by the end of October 2026. The proposal questionnaires will be reviewed by the Editors-in-Chief as well as members of the Editorial Board. The editorial team may follow up with further questions, especially as related to scope, the work of identifying a diverse group of contributors, and/or meeting postmedieval’s commitment of reaching a global audience with broad interdisciplinary interests.

Queries should be directed to postmedievalED@gmail.com.