The International Journal of Young Adult Literature is accepting proposals for a guest-edited special section for our 2027 issue (Volume 8). We particularly encourage researchers working beyond Anglo-American young adult literature and/or working outside of the UK and US to submit proposals.

Proposals should be sent to ijyal@roehampton.ac.uk by 31 July 2026. 

Note: Please consult our Guest Editor Guidelines at https://ijyal.ac.uk/cfp for further information, including our anticipated timeline.

We welcome special sections covering particular themes or topics, including:

• Elements of form, genre, theme or style
• Author studies
• Comparative analysis
• Explorations of reception and response
• Publication histories
• National literatures

Proposals should include the following information:

• Proposed theme for special section
• Name(s), institutional affiliation (if applicable), and brief biographical notes of guest editor(s)
• A draft Call for Papers (700-800 words), which includes a context in relevant theoretical concepts and frameworks and a clear rationale for its significance and the contribution that the special section would make to YA Studies
• The Call should also include suggestions of at least 6 possible topics for contributors which could be included under the theme
• Estimated number and type of submissions (e.g. articles, interviews, or other format)
• A brief summary of the applicant’s/applicants’ previous editorial experience
• A bibliography of relevant scholarship on the special-section theme

You can explore our most recent special sections, edited by Carla Plieth and Sarah Layzell, and edited by Jennifer Gouck, here: https://ijyal.ac.uk/13/volume/6/issue/1.

Full details of the journal’s aims and scope are available at https://ijyal.ac.uk/. We invite researchers to discuss a potential proposal with the editorial team if they feel it may fall beyond the scope of the journal.

Submissions should be made via email to ijyal@roehampton.ac.uk no later than 31 July 2026 to be considered for the 2027 issue.