Since the blog’s launch, The Junto has published approximately 150 guest posts (nearly 1-in-5 posts) by graduate students, faculty members, and history professionals working on early American history at a broad range of educational and cultural institutions. We have always thought of The Junto as a platform that belongs to the entire field not just the blog’s members at any given time, and we remain committed to that ideal. While we have published some posts by senior faculty, we also remain especially committed to making this platform available to graduate students and junior faculty members. If you have an idea for a guest post, we encourage you to read the FAQ below and get in touch with us.

GUEST POSTERS FAQ

Q: Who can write a guest post for The Junto?

A: The short answer is: anyone who is actively engaged in the field of early American history. Traditionally, we have privileged graduate students and junior faculty, but we are happy to publish guest posts by senior faculty members, as well as history professionals at museums, archives, libraries, etc….

Q: What kind of posts are you looking for?

A: We accept a broad variety of post types including (but not limited to) book reviews (of both recent and classic works), historiographical pieces, topical think pieces, posts about early America-related digital and public history projects/events/initiatives, reflections on various aspects of teaching, academia, research, and writing, interviews with historians and history professionals, and posts on the intersections between contemporary culture, current events, and early American history.

We are especially happy to get guest posts that address topics outside the specialties of the blog’s members. We are also very happy for guest posters to submit book reviews of recent early American history monographs. Most importantly, guest posts should be similar to or fit with the blog’s general content, style, and tone. To get a sense of the type of posts we publish, take a look at our Archives and Index pages.

Q: What kind of posts aren’t you looking for?

A: We do not accept posts on content outside the sphere of early American history (though we try to define that term broadly). We also do not accept paid content or any content that might be construed as advertising. That is, we do not pay for content and we cannot be paid to post content.

Q: Are Junto posts peer reviewed?

A: No. Posts by both members and guest posters are not peer-reviewed. The Junto is, first and foremost, a blog; it has no further pretensions. We publish posts whose intent is usually to begin or foster discussion. Each member (and guest poster) are solely responsible (to themselves and their audience) for the content of their posts.

Q: Are all guest post submissions published?

A: No, but the few rare cases where we have not published a submission has usually been because the resulting post turned out not to be a good fit for the blog.

Q: Are Junto posts edited?

A: Guest posts, like posts by members, are only edited to conform with our internal style guide. Since each author publishes under their own name, it is up to them to ensure that the content of their post is ready to be published before they submit it. On a few occasions, we might make a suggestion for revising a post before it gets published, but, again, those cases are relatively rare.

Q: How do I start the process of submitting a guest post to The Junto?

A: The first step is to email us at: thejuntoblog[at]gmail[dot]com. Be sure to include your idea for a post and a bit of information about yourself. If it sounds like the post fits the overall theme of the blog, we will give you the go-ahead to write and submit the post. (Note: It is helpful if your subject line reads: “Re: Guest Post Query.”)

Q: If I am already acquainted with a member, can I just approach them directly about contributing a guest post?

A: Yes. Early on in the blog’s life, this was how we got a good number of our guest posts. However, it is important to us that the blog’s platform not be limited to members and their acquaintances and that it represents a broader cross-section of the field than our current members at any given time. As noted above, it is especially important to us that the blog’s platform is open to grad students and junior faculty from as broad a range of institutions as possible.

Q: Can I propose/submit a guest post that I am also shopping to other outlets?

A: This is not ideal, but yes. However, we ask that you let us know if the guest post you have submitted is under consideration elsewhere.

Q: What does a typical Junto post look like?

A: We strongly encourage anyone considering submitting a guest post idea to read the blog to get a sense of its style, tone, and content, if they are not already a reader of the blog. That said, our typical post is between 500 and 1,000 words, and that upper limit is pretty strict for first-time guest posters. Our posts typically include a few footnotes, hyperlinks wherever possible, and at least one accompanying graphic.

Q: How does writing a guest post work?

A: Since there is no significant editorial process, you send in your query, we will respond with the go-ahead and a few general guidelines, you write the piece, and submit it. Once it’s been submitted, the member who you have been in contact with will read the post to make sure it fits with and is of a similar standard with our general content. If those are the case, that member will find an open date on our editorial calendar and will let you know when the post will be published.

Q: Can I include footnotes with my guest post?

A: Absolutely! Though the tone and style of the vast majority of our posts are informal, The Junto is an academic blog. So, if you quote or refer to someone else’s work or a primary source, we do expect you to include a citation and/or a hyperlink. All citations should be in standard Chicago style format.

Q: I’m just a pre-ABD graduate student, what could I write a post about?

A: A large number of blog members were pre-ABD grad students when the blog launched. As a pre-ABD graduate student you likely have a different perspective (compared to most of our readers) and we are committed to continue being a platform for those perspectives. Book reviews (written in seminars) are an easy way for graduate students to submit a guest post. Historiography posts based on a seminar final paper can work too. Also, posts about teaching are always welcome. You should also look at the kinds of posts that were published in the blog’s first few months on our Archives page. If you are a pre-ABD graduate student who would like to contribute a guest post but you are unsure of what to write about, get in touch with us.

Q: How long will it take for my guest post to be published after my post has been submitted?

A: That depends on how full our editorial calendar is at the moment your post is submitted. In the vast majority of cases, a post will be published anywhere from one to three weeks after being submitted, though, again, that is contingent on the calendar.

Q: Can I write a book review for The Junto? If so, can The Junto get me a review copy?

A: Yes, we do accept book reviews by guest posters. Our book reviews range from 750-1500 words (though, in some cases, a review may run a bit longer). Like all academic reviews of historical works, they should explicate the argument, situate the work historiographically, and offer a critical assessment. And, yes, if necessary, we can often arrange for review copies.

Q: How do I get my book reviewed on The Junto?

A: If you have recently published a book on early American history and would like to see it reviewed on The Junto, you have two options: get in touch with us directly via email OR have your press’s publicist get in touch with us. In some cases, we offer both a review and a Q&A with the author over two consecutive days.