The Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies, a publication of the L.M. Montgomery Institute and the Robertson Library at the University of Prince Edward Island, invites submissions (written, visual, or audio-visual) for a special collection on the topic of “Writers and Artists Respond to L.M. Montgomery.” This collection will be published starting in November 2024, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Montgomery’s 1874 birthday.
The pieces may be as short as a paragraph (or single art image) or as long as 6,000 words. This will be a collection both of new reflections and what writers and artists have in the past expressed about Montgomery’s work and its meaning for them. Mark Twain, Aretha Franklin, Margaret Atwood, and Alice Munro, among others, have made such responses, and we hope to include many of them in this collection. We are seeking a wide range of contemporary responses to complement and extend this considerable heritage of inspiration and influence. Alas, there is no payment for this work. It will appear in a special collection both in print and online under the aegis of the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies, a publication of the L.M. Montgomery Institute and the Robertson Library at the University of Prince Edward Island. Isn’t that payment enough?
Deadline: Proposals due 30 December 2023; Submissions due 14 February 2024 (heart emoji)
This is a call for artists, not scholars. We are interpreting the word “artists” to include all practising artists. However, except in the case of visual artists, we are expecting a response to her work—i.e., not your own novel, dance, or play.
We encourage contributors to explore a wide range of Montgomery’s works—her adult novels, the Emily series, short stories, non-fiction, scrapbooks, photos, any of the Anne books, aspects of her biography. The work may be analytical, critical, personal, approving, disapproving—but it must come from artists. We seek responses from as many points of view, cultures, countries, backgrounds, and identities as possible. Montgomery’s appeal has been deep, enduring, and widely international. This special anniversary collection aims to reflect that.
All proposals or first drafts are due by 30 December 2023. You will receive our initial response ASAP. All full drafts are due by 14 February 2024. (Yes, we know it’s Valentine’s Day.)
Submissions need to be written in good, plain, well-crafted English. The JLMMS has “Instructions for Contributors” and a “Style Sheet” based on a version of MLA 8. Visual art can be sent in a variety of ways—contact the editors, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please include biographical and artistic background. Questions, proposals, drafts, and completed submissions should be directed to both of the co-editors of this collection, Liz Rosenberg at lrosenb@binghamton.edu and Kate Scarth at kscarth@upei.ca. We can’t wait to see your contributions!
Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies