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Author Guidelines

 

Lapis Lazuli: An International Literary Journal (LLILJ) is a refereed, International Bi-annual e-journal of emerging Literary and Linguistic perspectives in the contemporary literatures in English, published on behalf of PINTER SOCIETY OF INDIA and is designed to publish theoretical articles and book reviews on literature and language. Each issue will contain various pieces (academic and creative) on the major works of literatures in English or on topics related to literary interest presented in a lively and engaging style.

 

Article processing charge

 

  • Publication Fee & Access Policy

To support high-quality open access publishing, a one-time Article Processing Charge (APC) of  2500 INR for Indian Authors and 120 USD for  Foreign Authors is applicable only after a manuscript has successfully passed peer review and is formally accepted for publication.

This charge encompasses all aspects of the publishing process, including:

  •  
    • Crossref DOI Assignment — Provides each article with a permanent, globally resolvable, and citable digital identifier.
    • Crossref Metadata Integration — Ensures seamless dissemination of article metadata across the Crossref network immediately upon DOI registration.
    • Editorial management and peer review coordination
    • Professional formatting and typesetting
    • Website hosting and technical maintenance
    • Inclusion in indexing services and promotion across relevant channels
    • Ongoing post-publication support
  • Institutional Funding Fee: LLILJ  also accepts institutional funding for promotion and maintenance of the journal and its resources. This fee will be charged  after completion of the peer review process and acceptance of the article. Authors with institutional affiliation should declare funding opportunities and commitments at the time of submission and contact the Journal after the acceptance of the article. They may process the fee after completing the due process for disbursements.

 

Issue

Submission Deadline

Peer Review

Final Acceptance

Publication

Spring Issue

31 January

February–March

By 15 April

May

Autumn Issue

31 July

August–September

By 15 October

November

 

 

Instructions for Contributors

The Journal welcomes high-quality, original research that advances scholarship in Literatures in English, Language Studies, Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Translation Studies, and related interdisciplinary fields. Authors are requested to prepare their manuscripts in accordance with the following standards before submission.

A. Before You Submit

By submitting a manuscript, the author(s) affirm that:

  • the work is original and has not been published previously;
  • the manuscript is not simultaneously under review by another journal or publisher;
  • all sources have been appropriately acknowledged;
  • the submission complies with accepted principles of research ethics and academic integrity.

Any manuscript found to contain plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct will be rejected.

B. Manuscript Organization

Every submission should include the following elements in order:

  1. Title
  2. Abstract
  3. Keywords
  4. Main Text
  5. Endnotes (if applicable)
  6. Works Cited

 

C. Title Page

The title page should contain:

  • Full name of the author(s)
  • Institutional affiliation
  • ORCID iD (optional but encouraged)
  • Email address for correspondence

To preserve anonymity during peer review, none of this information should appear in the manuscript file.

D. Abstract and Keywords

Each article must include:

  • Abstract: 100–150 words summarizing the research problem, approach, and major conclusions.
  • Keywords: 4–6 significant terms placed immediately after the abstract to facilitate indexing and searchability.

E. Length of Submission

The journal considers manuscripts of 3,000 words or more.

For optimal presentation and review, contributors are encouraged to keep their articles within 3,000–7000 words, including endnotes and the Works Cited section.

F. Document Formatting

To ensure consistency throughout the journal, manuscripts should follow these specifications:

Element

Font

Font Size

Style

Alignment

Line Spacing

Title of the Paper

Times New Roman

14 pt

Bold

Center

1.0

Author(s) Name(s)

Times New Roman

10 pt

Bold

Center

1.0

Author(s) Designation

Times New Roman

10 pt

Regular

Center

1.0

Affiliation

Times New Roman

10 pt

Regular

Center

1.0

Abstract

Times New Roman

11 pt

Regular

Justified

1.5

Keywords

Times New Roman

11 pt

Italic

Justified

1.5

Main Body Text

Times New Roman

12 pt

Regular

Justified

1.5

Works Cited

Times New Roman

10 pt

Regular

Left (with a 0.5-inch hanging indent)

1.5

G. Citation and Documentation

The journal follows the MLA Handbook, 9th Edition.

Authors are expected to:

  • use MLA style consistently for in-text citations;
  • prepare a complete Works Cited section in MLA format;
  • include only sources actually cited in the manuscript.

Where supplementary explanation is necessary, endnotes may be used. Endnotes must appear immediately before the Works Cited list. Footnotes will not be accepted.

H. Language Requirements

All submissions must be written in English.

Quotations taken from texts in other languages should be accompanied by an English translation within the manuscript to ensure accessibility for an international readership.

I. Tables, Figures, and Illustrative Material

Authors should:

  • number tables and figures consecutively;
  • provide descriptive captions;
  • acknowledge all borrowed or reproduced material;
  • obtain any required copyright permissions before submission.

Responsibility for permissions rests entirely with the author.

J. Artificial Intelligence and Writing Assistance

If generative Artificial Intelligence tools have been employed for drafting, editing, translation, or any other stage of manuscript preparation, their use must be disclosed transparently.

Such disclosure does not diminish the author’s responsibility for the originality, accuracy, interpretation, or scholarly quality of the submitted work.

K. Anonymous Peer Review

The journal operates a blind peer-review system.

Authors should carefully remove all identifying information from the manuscript, including:

  • names and affiliations,
  • acknowledgements,
  • self-identifying references,
  • document metadata,
  • headers and footers containing personal information.

Failure to anonymize the manuscript may delay the review process.

L. Acceptable File Format

Manuscripts should be submitted exclusively as:

  • Microsoft Word (.doc)
  • Microsoft Word (.docx)

Files in other formats will not be processed.

M. Presentation Guidelines

For a clean and professional appearance, authors should avoid:

  • coloured or decorative fonts;
  • page borders or elaborate page designs;
  • embedded hyperlinks;
  • tracked changes or comments;
  • excessive text formatting;
  • author-identifying headers or footers.

N. Final Author Checklist

Prior to submission, authors are advised to verify that:

  • the manuscript follows MLA (9th Edition);
  • the abstract and keywords are included;
  • references and citations are complete and accurate;
  • spelling, grammar, and formatting have been thoroughly checked;
  • all identifying information has been removed from the review copy;
  • the file has been saved in Microsoft Word format.

Submission Preparation Checklist

Prior to submission, authors are advised to verify that:

  • the manuscript follows MLA (9th Edition);
  • the abstract and keywords are included;
  • references and citations are complete and accurate;
  • spelling, grammar, and formatting have been thoroughly checked;
  • all identifying information has been removed from the review copy;
  • the file has been saved in Microsoft Word format.

Articles

Section default policy

BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW GUIDELINES

Lapis Lazuli: An International Literary Journal (LLILJ) invites scholarly and critical reviews of recently published books in literature, literary criticism, cultural studies, comparative literature, and related fields.

1. Eligibility

  • Books should normally have been published within the last three years.
  • The book should be relevant to the scope of LLILJ.
  • Reviews of significant older works may be considered at the discretion of the Editorial Board.

2. Length

  • Standard book review: 1,200–2,000 words.
  • Review essays covering two or more books: up to 3,000 words.

3. Format

  • Submit in MS Word (.doc/.docx) format.
  • Follow MLA 9th Edition.
  • Use the journal's prescribed manuscript format.
  • Include the reviewer's name, institutional affiliation, and email address.

4. Bibliographical Information

Begin the review with complete details of the book:

Author/Editor. Title. Publisher, Year. ISBN, number of pages.

5. Content

A book review should:

  • Briefly introduce the author and the book.
  • Identify the book's central argument, themes, or objectives.
  • Provide a concise overview of its contents.
  • Critically evaluate its arguments, methodology, organization, and originality.
  • Discuss its strengths and limitations.
  • Assess its contribution to the field.
  • Identify its relevance and potential readership.

A review should provide critical evaluation, not merely a summary of the book.

6. Originality

  • The review must be original and unpublished.
  • It must not be simultaneously submitted to another publication.
  • Plagiarism or substantial reproduction of another review is unacceptable.

7. Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any personal, professional, financial, or academic relationship with the author or publisher that could affect their objectivity.

8. Use of Quotations

  • Quotations should be limited and directly relevant to the reviewer's argument.
  • All quotations must be accurately reproduced and properly cited.
  • Reviewers must respect applicable copyright and fair-use/fair-dealing requirements.

9. AI Use

Authors are responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of their reviews. AI tools may be used for limited language or proofreading assistance but must not replace the reviewer's independent critical analysis or generate fabricated information, quotations, or references. Significant AI assistance should be disclosed to the Editor.

10. Editorial Process

All submissions are subject to editorial evaluation. The Editor/Editorial Board may:

  • Accept the review;
  • Request revisions;
  • Seek expert assessment where necessary; or
  • Reject the submission.

The Editorial Board's decision shall be final.

11. Ethical Standards

Reviews must maintain a professional, respectful, objective, and scholarly tone. Personal attacks, defamatory statements, discriminatory language, fabricated information, and conflicts of interest that are not disclosed are unacceptable.

12. Submission

Authors should submit their book reviews through the journal's designated submission channel and ensure that the manuscript complies with these guidelines before submission.

LLILJ welcomes reviews that offer insightful, rigorous, and independent critical engagement with significant new publications in literary and cultural studies.

POETRY

Poetry Submission Guidelines

Lapis Lazuli: An International Literary Journal (LLILJ) welcomes original poetry in English that engages creatively and thoughtfully with literary, cultural, social, personal, or contemporary concerns.

  • Submit 1–5 original poems in a single Word document.
  • Poems must be unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere.
  • Each poem should be submitted with its title and author’s name.
  • There is no prescribed theme or length, but submissions should demonstrate literary quality, originality, and coherence.
  • Use Times New Roman, 12 pt, with clear spacing and formatting.
  • The poet should provide their name, institutional affiliation, and email address.
  • All submissions must be the author's original work. Plagiarism or unauthorized reproduction will not be accepted.
  • Previously published poems may be considered only if the author holds the necessary rights and clearly discloses the publication history.
  • The Editorial Board reserves the right to accept, reject, or request revisions.
  • By submitting, authors confirm that the work is original and that they have the necessary rights to publish it.

Submission of poetry does not guarantee publication. Final selection rests with the Editorial Board.

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.