Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532-1099

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

 

 

 

Call for Submissions

 

Maryland English Journal is a semi-annual refereed publication of research and instructional practices in English/Language Arts and allied fields, preschool through adult levels.  The editors encourage authors to submit articles pertaining to instructional practices and/or research of special interest to English/ Language Arts educators and scholars.  Appropriate subjects include literature (fiction or non-fiction), linguistics, literacy, critical theory, reading theory, rhetoric, composition, journalism, technical writing, technology in the classroom, English as a second language, pedagogy, assessment, and other professional issues.  All areas are equally welcome, as long as the topic is of general interest to the profession and the treatment is accessible to teachers whose particular expertise lies in other areas.  

 

Manuscript Format

Manuscripts submitted to Maryland English Journal must conform to the following standards:

1.   Manuscripts must be typed double-spaced, including quotations and works cited.  Length should not exceed 15 to 20 pages.

2.   Manuscripts must include an abstract of up to 150 words. 

3.   Manuscripts must include a cover sheet containing the title, name and instructional affiliation of the author(s), date of submission, and other professional or biographical data to be noted in the journal. 

4.   The first page of text must include the title of the manuscript but not the name(s) and instructional affiliation(s) of the author(s).  Manuscripts should be free of internal references to author identity.

 

 

Style

The content, organization, and style of manuscripts must follow the current MLA citation system (please use the month or season as well as the year in citing journals) and the NCTE Guidelines for Nonsexist Use of Language.  Authors using computers should avoid special type (bold, italic, etc.) and use left justification only.

 

 

Submission Procedures

1.   Submit four copies of the manuscript on 8-˝ × 11-inch white paper with at least one-inch margins on all sides.  Retain a file copy.

2.   Include three blank envelopes with sufficient postage for mailing to three associate editor referees; do not attach the stamps to the envelopes.  Include two self-addressed stamped envelopes for communications from the editor.

3.   Submit only completed manuscripts. 

4.   Send manuscripts to the editor, Maryland English Journal, at the address above.  The Journal welcomes submissions at any time.  However, to facilitate our review and publication timelines, submissions are particularly invited by March 10 and September 10.

 

 

Review Process

Associate editors review blind submissions, a process that can take up to three months.  Accepted manuscripts may need to be edited for clarity, organization, language, or style.  Authors of accepted manuscripts will be asked to put the work on a computer disk if at all possible; MEJ uses a desktop publishing system, which reads most popular IBM-based word processing programs.  Published authors will receive two complimentary copies of the issue in which their submission appears.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

__________________________

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

                                                                                

 

 

Dear Colleague,

 

We received your recent request for the guidelines for making submissions to the Maryland English Journal and enclose a copy of our “Call for Submissions” sheet.

 

Please feel free to contact me at the address above or at (301) 687-4240 or 895-5492 if you would like to discuss the submission process further.

 

We thank you for your interest in our journal and look forward to receiving your submission.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Judith J. Pula, Ph.D.

            Editor

 

 

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

 

________________________

The Michigan Council of Teachers of English

 

Dear Leah:  

 

The fall issue of the Language Arts Journal of Michigan is dealing with “best practice.” Mary Dekker and I, in thinking back to your demonstration last summer, wondered if you could write an article for this issue based on some or several aspects of your demonstration. We clearly remembered how you helped us all become aware of style by asking us to write in particular ways.  We envision an article grounded in what you do in your classroom, using classroom examples. Of course, if you have student work samples it often helps bring the piece into focus for our readers. I am enclosing a back issue of LAJM (actually this issue won “best affiliate journal” award from NCTE) so you can see how other teachers set up articles about their practice.  If you think you can squeeze this request into your busy life, we would like the article by about August 15. One of our commitments is to make this journal one that has significant things to say to the Michigan teachers, so we hope you will consider doing this article.  If you want more information or have questions, feel free to call me at home in the evenings at (517) 655-3749 although I’ll be in France from July 25 to August 9. Mary Dekker at 339- will be available until August 8. We would both be very happy to talk to you about ideas for the article.  Because school teachers usually get little recognition for work they publish, we make it a practice to send a letter to the supervisor of your choice in your district along with a copy of the magazine. Of course, we tell them how fortunate they are to have you on their staff!  I hope that is enough of an enticement to get you to share your ideas with other Michigan teachers.  I hope to hear from you.  

 

Sincerely,    

 

 

Diana Mitchell and Mary Decker, Co-editors

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Colleague,

 

We acknowledge your recent submission(s) to the Maryland English

Journal.  Associate editors review blind submissions, a process that can take up to three months.

 

We thank you for letting us consider your work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Judith J. Pula, Ph.D.

Editor

 

 

 

 

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

From the Editor’s Desk

 

 

 

 

Greetings!

 

Here’s another batch of MEJ submissions for review.  Feel free to make annotations right on the manuscripts, and we will forward those to the authors along with the reviews.

 

Please return these manuscripts to the MEJ editorial office by [date].

 

 

If for some reason you cannot return by the date above please contact me at (301) 687-4240 (office) or (301) 895-5492 (home).

 

Thanks!

Judy

 

 

Maryland English Journal

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

                                                                                            Submission number_______

 

Maryland English Journal Submission Review Form

 

Title of submission ________________________________________________          

 

Reviewer number __________________

 

 

_____ 4           accept

 

_____ 3           accept with minor revisions, as detailed in my review*

 

_____ 2           invite the author to resubmit after making revisions, as detailed       

                        in my review*

 

_____ 1           reject, for reasons detailed in my review*

 

 

*Review commentary to be shared with author:

 

           

 

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October XX, 20XX

 

 

Dear [Reviewer’s Name],

 

    

Since we are fortunate enough to have excellent editorial assistance this semester, the on-site MEJ staff has been able to keep up with paperwork in an especially timely manner.  As a result, when we sat down today to send feedback to our submitters, we realized that we had not yet received the manuscripts and reviews for submission numbers XX, XX and XX, which we had hoped to have in our office by XX.

 

We realize this is a busy time of the school year, but we ask that you return these submission reviews as soon as possible.  Thanks in advance if the manuscripts and reviews are already in the mail.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Judith J. Pula

Editor    

 

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

October XX, 20XX

 

Bob Calvert

50 Home Street

Anytown, MD 2XXXX

 

Dear Bob Calvert:

 

The reviews of your manuscript are complete.  Unfortunately, we are not able to accept your work for publication at this time.  Based on reviewer input, however, I invite you to resubmit the piece after making the revisions suggested on the enclosed submission review forms.

 

[If Applicable:]  We hope to include (articles, stories, poems) pertaining to (their topic) in our spring issue.  In order to send your piece back through the review process in time to consider it for the spring issue, we would need your revised manuscript by (date)].

 

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

 

Again, the editorial staff and I appreciate your submission to the MEJ, and we look forward to the opportunity to consider your revised manuscript.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Judith J. Pula,

Editor

 

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

 

          August 20XX

 

          Bob Calvert

          50 Home Street

          Anytown, MD 2XXXX

 

          Dear Colleague:

 

          Congratulations!

 

          I am pleased to tell you that, subject to editorial/reviewer revisions (on the enclosed forms), “[title of work]” has been accepted for publication in the Maryland English Journal, a selective refereed publication.  The [article, story, poem] will appear in one of next year’s issues, depending on where it best fits according to length and subject-matter thematic grouping.  You will receive two complimentary copies of the issue in which your work appears.

 

          If you could possibly supply your work on disk, it would simplify the process on this end.  MEJ uses a desktop publishing system, which reads most popular IBM-based word processing programs.  I’m enclosing the comments of three reviewers, and I ask that you please look over the suggestions and incorporate those that you consider helpful.  May we have a hard copy of this version as well?   Would you be able to send the disk and hard copy by [date]?

 

          Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.  Thank you for your support of MEJ and, again, congratulations!

 

          Sincerely,

 

 

          Judith J. Pula,

          Editor

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

 

 

The National Council of Teachers of English

1111 W. Kenyon Road

Urbana, IL  61801

(800) 369-6283

www.ncte.org

 

CONSENT TO PUBLISH AND ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHT

 

TO:                                                                                                     DATE:                                   

 

                                                                                                                       

 

            __________________________________________________

 

            __________________________________________________

 

 

The National Council of Teachers of English ("NCTE") is pleased to undertake the publication of your contribution enti­tled:                                                                                                            (the "Contribution") to be included in                                      , edited by  ______________.                                                 

 

As a condition of publication, it is essential that you grant us all rights, including the copyright, for the Contribution.  Accordingly, the following terms of publication are submitted for your consideration:

 

APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE:  We mutually agree that publication of the Contribution is contingent upon its acceptance for publica­tion by NCTE and upon its meeting NCTE editorial standards.

 

COPYRIGHT ASSIGNMENT:  Whereas NCTE undertakes to publish the Contribution as above, and whereas you desire to have the contri­bution so published, now, therefore, you grant and assign to NCTE for its exclusive use the entire copyright for the Contribution.  The copyright consists of any and all rights of whatever kind or nature now or hereafter protected by the copy­right laws of the United States and of all foreign countries in all forms of communication, and NCTE shall be the sole owner thereof.  NCTE, in turn, grants you the right to republish the Contribution in any scholarly work consisting solely of your own writing, subject only to notifying NCTE of your intent to do so and to the grant­ing of proper credit in the work to the original publication of the Contribution by NCTE.  In such case NCTE shall waive its custom­ary permission fee.

 

WARRANTY:  You warrant that the Contribution is original with you; that it contains no matter which is libelous or is otherwise unlawful or which invades individual privacy or infringes any proprietary right or any statutory copyright; and you agree to indemnify and hold NCTE harmless against any claim or judgment to the contrary.  Further, you warrant that you have the right to assign the copyright to NCTE, and that no right protected by copyright to the Contribution has been previously assigned.  It is understood that the copyright to the Contribution has not been registered with the United States Copyright Office, but in the event that such registration has taken place, you will promptly transfer the copyright to NCTE.

 

PREVIOUS PUBLICATION AND PERMISSION:  You warrant that the Contribution has not been published elsewhere in whole or in part and that no agreement to publish the Contribution or any part or version thereof is outstanding.  Should the Contribution contain any material which requires written permission for inclusion in the Contribution, such permission shall be obtained at your own expense from the copyright owner and submitted for review by NCTE with the manuscript.

 

REQUESTS TO REPRINT:  As owner of the copyright to the Contribu­tion, NCTE has the sole authority to grant a request to reprint the Contribution, or any parts thereof.  However, pursuant to NCTE's Permission Policy then in effect, NCTE may attempt to obtain your approval should NCTE receive a request to reprint all or any portion of the Contribution for commercial use.  This attempt shall include a letter sent to your last known address outlining the use, the proposed fee, if any, and allowing 30 days for a response.  Failure to respond in the stated time period will constitute consent.  Fees will be handled according to the NCTE Permission Policy then in effect.

 

COMPENSATION:  You shall receive no royalty or other form of compensation, except for any permission fees which you may receive as noted above.

 

If the foregoing terms are satisfactory, please sign and date this agreement and return one copy in the enclosed business reply envelope.  The second copy is for your records.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED BY AUTHOR/CONTRIBUTOR:

 

Signature:                                                          Office Phone:    ____________________________

 

Name:                                                              Office Address:                                    

(as it will appear on published work)_____

                                                                                                ____________________________

e-mail address _________________________________

 

Date Signed:                                                     Home Phone:                                                   

 

Home Address:                                    

                                                                                               

                                                                                                ____________________________

 

Author's preferred mailing address for any notices or correspon­dence from NCTE pursuant to this agreement is (check one): 

 

______ office address;  ______ home address.

 

Author is responsible for notifying NCTE of any change in mailing address.

 

 

Maryland English Journal

136 Dunkle Hall

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland 21532

(301) 687-4240

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD, Editor

                                                                                                                       

 

 

March 19, 20XX

 

         

Dear _________:

 

     Congratulations again on having your work selected for publication in the Maryland English Journal.  Your piece will appear in Volume ____, Number ____ of the Journal.  Final formatting for the issue is underway now, and we are scheduled to go to press during the first week of [month].

 

     I’m enclosing a copy of your selection as it appears in its current iteration.  While my staff and I may make minor editorial adjustments until press time, our present timelines do not allow for any major changes.

 

     Therefore, I ask you to read the piece in its present form and to contact me by [date] —earlier if possible—if there are any small changes you feel strongly should be made.

 

     I can be reached at the address above or at (301) 895-5492 (home) or (301) 687-4240 (school).

 

Thank you for your support for the Maryland English Journal.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Judith J. Pula, PhD

 

 

Maryland Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts

The State Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Council of Teachers of English

1111 W. Kenyon Road

Urbana, IL  61801

(800) 369-6283

www.ncte.org

 

 

CONSENT TO PUBLISH STUDENT WORK

 

So that journals published by the National Council of Teachers of English can be protected by copyright against unauthorized use, it is necessary that consent to publish be obtained from persons who contribute to this work.  This form gives such consent.  Please sign and return this copy to the journal's editor.  You may wish to keep a photocopy for your records.

 

 

I,                                                                                                , consent to have my (writing/illustration) from

 

_____________________­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­________________________________________________________ used in an article entitled

 

______________________________________________________ by                                               

 

to be published by NCTE in their publication                                                                          .

 

I understand that I will receive no compensation.  I hereby assign publishing rights for the contribution to NCTE, including all copyrights.

 

 

Name:                                                                                                                                     

 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 

Phone:                                                     

 

 

Signature:                                                                                                                                 

(if under 18, parent or guardian must sign)

 

Date Signed:                                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Council of Teachers of English

1111 W. Kenyon Road

Urbana, IL  61801

(800) 369-6283

www.ncte.org

 

 

INTERVIEW CONSENT

 

________________________________ hereby states and agrees as follows:

(Name of Interview Subject)

 

1.  On or about                                                    , 19                 , I was

                                   (Date[s] of interview)

 

            interviewed by                                                                                                                          

(Name of Interviewer)

 

            on the following topic(s):                                                                                                                       

 

2.  I was informed by the Interviewer and understand that he/she is preparing a manuscript for publication by the National Council of Teachers of English ("NCTE") based in whole or in part on my inter­view(s).

 

3.  I was informed and understand that my comments from this interview may be included in the manuscript in their entirety or only in part, may be quoted verbatim or summarized or para­phrased, and may be edited by the Interviewer or by NCTE, all at the discretion of the Interviewer and/or NCTE.

 

4.  I hereby consent to the publication by NCTE of the manuscript based on my interview upon the conditions and terms set forth herein, and I hereby grant and assign to NCTE all right, title, and interest, including copyright, which I may have in said manuscript.

 

5.  I understand that I shall not be entitled to receive any royalty or any other compensation from either the Interviewer or from NCTE for the use or publication of my comments in the manuscript.

 

6.  I understand that I am entitled to receive from NCTE     complimentary copy(ies)of the manuscript after its publication.

 

7.  I understand and stipulate that this consent and the assignment of rights contained herein shall apply only to my comments made during the interview(s) on the dates stated above and shall not extend to any of my work which I have previously reduced to tangible form (e.g., poems, letters, articles,

photo­graphs, etc.) which may be discussed in the interview. If any such work of mine is to be included or reproduced in the manu­script, a separate consent or permission form shall be executed relating thereto.

 

8.  I hereby consent to the use of my name, likeness and relevant biographical data in the published work and in material used to promote the published work.

 

Signature:                                                          Office Phone:                                                   

 

Name:                                                              Office Address:                                                

(as it will appear on published work)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Signed:                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

Birth Date:                                                                                                                               

(for Library of Congress data)

Home Phone:                                                   

 

Home Address:                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Council of Teachers of English

1111 W. Kenyon Road

Urbana, IL  61801

(800) 369-6283

www.ncte.org

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH SUBJECT RE­LEASE:  ADULT

 

 

 

Name of Photographer:                                       

 

Address of Photographer: