Call for Contributions to Torchlight Issue 13, April 2020:
Libraries, Reading and Resistance
The year 2020 is seeing catastrophes unfold across the world- with violent political instability, economic collapse, and unprecedented environmental crises unfolding everywhere, while a new-media driven frenzy of dystopian narratives are shaping public discourse.
Yet history has shown us- as much as contemporary times are doing- that libraries, books, and communities of story-tellers and story-keepers everywhere, have persisted in the face of dire odds to preserve alternative narratives – of solidarity, hopefulness, critical thought, emotional fulfilment – and resisted oppression in myriad ways.
In this context, Torchlight: A Journal of Libraries and Bookish Love invites your contributions for Issue 13 – on Libraries, Reading and Resistance. This may take the form of text, audio-visual, graphic, or any mix of media you prefer. The articles may be long-form or short, poetic, academic, or anything in between.
Through this issue, we hope to illuminate the many ways that libraries and reading can function as sites of hope, freedom of expression and delight, in dark times. Whether this be in India or internationally- across social movements, cultural contexts and different moments in history- we invite you to share your stories of libraries and readers stepping up against oppression, violence, and overwhelming bleakness- to speak truth to power in both, subtle and explicit ways.
We welcome either queries or finished articles, via email. A query may consist of just a paragraph or several. Describe what you plan to cover and your approach. Tell us your connection to it and your expertise. We’ll get back to you and let you know if we’re interested as soon as possible, ideally within 2 to 4 weeks. Please write to us at torchlight@bookwormgoa.in.
Please browse through the current and past issues of Torchlight to see the range and form of contributions the journal invites.
We wish this journal to be inclusive, diverse, fair and responsible in its approach and functioning.
- All articles submitted will go through a review process.
- The decision to accept a contribution will rest with the journal team and will be conveyed to the contributor within a month of receiving it. Editorial changes may be requested.
- Include a brief biographical sketch of no more than 150 words
- If a submission to Torchlight has been already published, you are requested to declare the publication details at the time of submitting the article.
- Copyright remains with the author. If the article is going to be republished elsewhere, we will appreciate that Torchlight is acknowledged for carrying it first.
- We will not be able to pay contributors but hope you will find joy and meaning in being a part of this unique endeavour.