Submission Guidelines
Clocks and Clouds accepts submissions at the beginning of every fall and spring semester, and sometimes during the summer. When we are actively accepting submissions, the submission form is located here. The best way to be notified when submissions open is to follow us on Instagram @clocksandcloudsau. If you are interested in submitting a paper, there are important guidelines you should keep in mind.
- All papers must be written and submitted by American University undergraduate students, or former American University students who have graduated or transferred within one year of the submission deadline. All papers must be written and researched while the submitter is an undergraduate at American University. Students who have transferred to American University may submit work completed at a previous institution.
- American University students in a combined B.A./M.A. program may only submit work substantially completed before finishing the requirements for the B.A. and may not submit work completed for a 600 or 700-level class.
- Work that has been accepted for publication in another journal is not eligible for submission.
- Submissions should be sent electronically through the submission form. They should be attached as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file.
- Papers submitted should be between 4000 and 8000 words in length. Clocks and Clouds may make exceptions to this requirement at our discretion.
- Submitted papers should be double spaced and use Times New Roman size 12 font. Page margins should be 1 inch. All papers must be written in American English.
- Submissions should follow the Chicago Manual of Style and use in-text parenthetical citations with references at the end of the paper.
- Submitted papers should contain a title-page and 200 word abstract. The title page should contain the author’s name, submission title, author major and minor, and expected graduation date. For submissions based on papers completed for a class, the course name, professor name, course and section number, and semester taken should also be included. All personally identifying information should be removed from the body of the paper before submission.
What kinds of papers are we looking for?
Papers should make an original contribution to the field of study. Clocks and Clouds does not publish literature reviews, policy briefings, memos, or essays. Submissions may use any accepted methodology, quantitative or qualitative. All research must also comply with the American University Academic Integrity Code and be in compliance with the AU Institutional Review Board policies. Submissions may be based on previous class work or work presented at conferences and research seminars, but may not be based on work previously published in an academic journal or similar printed source.
Clocks and Clouds is a selective journal that aims to publish distinguished articles. However, our reviewers and senior editors work closely with authors to turn good articles into exceptional ones. Some authors are asked to reorganize or revise their work independently for review in the next submission cycle with a much higher chance of publication. If you’re passionate about research and have some time to commit to the review process, don’t hesitate to submit your work.
Why should you submit your work?
Do you love writing? Do you love research? Do you want to be published in a collegiate journal with a print and digital publication? Submitting your research paper to Clocks and Clouds for peer advice and potential publication provides you the opportunity to pursue such opportunities and further your own research. Publishing an article in a peer-review journal is the perfect opportunity to share your ideas with the American University community and the broader academic world. Additionally, working through the submission and review process is a great way to improve your research and writing skills. And of course, having your work published is an excellent resume-builder for graduate school applications and jobs in almost any field.