ISSN 0041-476X printed version
ISSN 2309-9070 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Scope and policy
• Form and preparation of manuscripts
• Manuscripts submission

The Tydskrif vir Letterkunde publishes scholarly articles, overviews, commentaries, review articles and reviews on African Literature and Southern African Literature.

The intended audience of this journal is the literary scholarly community.

The editorial policy of the Journal is peer reviews by two readers per article. The editor's decision is final in all cases.

The types of articles received are: overview articles, research articles, review articles, reviews, commentaries and obituaries.

The journal's peer review process follows the following steps: Reception – Guest Editor / Issue editor – reviewers – Editor – finalization.

Manuscript format and layout / guidelines to authors:

The editor invites the submission of original, previously unpublished research, review and overview articles on theoretical, applied or comparative aspects of African literatures and cultural practices.

Language medium:

• Contributions should preferably be submitted in Afrikaans, Dutch or English. Contributions in French may also be submitted.
• Research, review and overview articles in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English abstract of no more than 350 words, including a translation of the article title. In the case of articles written in English the abstract should not exceed 200 words.

Submission of manuscripts:

• Manuscripts under consideration elsewhere or published previously should not be submitted to Tydskrif vir Letterkunde.
• A single digital copy of the article manuscript should be submitted (per e-mail) initially.
• On acceptance, following the review process, one digital copy should be submitted as the final version. The editors prefer the MSWord® word processing programme.
• A short biographical background of the author (about 30 words) should accompany the final version.
• Manuscripts should be presented in unembellished, clear typed format with margins of at least 2.5 cm all around, and in double spacing (including quotations, notes and references).
• Authors's names, postal and email addresses, professional affiliation and telephone numbers should appear on the title page.
• Since articles are reviewed anonymously, authors are requested not to indicate their names anywhere else in their manuscripts.
• Manuscripts should be properly edited for language usage and be submitted in press ready format.
• A limit of 6000 words (including the abstract) is set as a general guideline for the length of articles. In exceptional circumstances longer articles may be considered.
• The latest version of the MLA reference system is used.
• Notes, endnotes and the bibliography should be attached to the end of the article. Endnote numbers should be prepared in superscript and normally occur at the end of as sentence. Please note: computer generated endnotes, notes or bibliographies are not acceptable.
• Sexist or racist language is not encouraged. Gender-specific terminology should not be used when mixed groups are intended. (E.g. do not refer to "the literary critic and his practice..." when a more generic reference is intended.) Racial nomenclature should be used with caution, if at all. Where writers deviate from this guideline, it should be motivated.

Graphics:

• All graphics must be submitted in camera-ready digital format.
• Graphics should be provided with appropriate captions.
• Material submitted digitally should have a resolution of at least 300dpi and should be submitted in a format no smaller than A5.
• It is the responsibility of the author to secure permission to reproduce copyrighted material.

Obligations and responsibilities:

• Material published in Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, may, unless stipulated otherwise, be published on the journal's website.
• The opinions of contributors expressed in Tydskrif vir Letterkunde do not necessarily represent the views of the advisory council, consulting editors or editors.
• Where manuscripts are accepted provisionally, it is expected that writers will return their revised versions within six weeks to the journal's Administrator.
• We regret that we cannot return manuscripts.
• No correspondence will be entered in the cases of manuscripts that were turned down.
• The editors undertake to handle submissions with care, but cannot accept responsibility for lost goods or unforeseen damage.
• By agreeing to publish with Tydskrif vir Letterkunde authors give permission for their articles to be published in the print and Internet versions of the journal.
• The copyright of the published materials rests with the authors.
• On the acceptance of research, review and overview articles page fees to be paid by the author become payable. Generally authors' institutions pay such page fees.
• The editors determine page fees annually.

Submission method: The author e-mails manuscripts to the editor.

Articles must include an abstract of a maximum of 350 words, including the title of the article.