The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies (JOTSS)
Binghamton University’s Special Edition

Colloquially Speaking! Ruminations on the Possibilities of the Field: Call for Papers

Submission Deadline: August 30, 2026

Submission Website: https://orb.binghamton.edu/jotss/

Introduction and Journal Scope:
Binghamton University houses The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies (JOTSS), breaking new ground as the world’s first peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to interdisciplinary scholarship in the emerging field of Taylor Swift Studies. Join us for the unique opportunity to submit your less-than-academic popular work for our first ever non-scholarly special edition, Colloquially Speaking! Ruminations on the Possibilities of the Field. Our premier special edition will highlight works that may not fall within the requirements of traditional academic publishing. We encourage submissions that celebrate, interrogate, speculate, formulate, and ruminate on the intersection of academic insight and creative expression regarding the advancing, interdisciplinary possibilities of Taylor Swift Studies.

Swift has not merely impacted the music industry – she has redefined it, from re-recording her original catalog to give us “Taylor’s Version,” to greater success than her original sound recordings to newly owning the rights to her entire music catalog. With 14 Grammy Awards, 40 American Music Awards, and multiple Guinness World Records, including the most #1 Billboard Hot 100 debuts by a female artist, her artistic achievements alone warrant scholarly attention. Yet her influence extends far beyond music: The Eras Tour, now the highest-grossing tour in history, has interrupted the global economy, influencing everything from local tourism to Federal Reserve policy discussions.

JOTSS is committed to fostering accessible pathways into academic publishing. Please consider that this special issue is not peer-reviewed, and therefore, may not carry the same academic "weight" on your CV. While we permit our authors to retain rights to their own work, many publishers will not accept previously published materials. If publishing in a peer-reviewed journal is important for your professional journey, consider submitting for JOTSS' annual edition when our next CFP goes live as it is peer-reviewed and indexed. The JOTSS is also seeking original, non-AI generated artwork for the cover of our special
edition, launching December 13, 2026 to danielle.ball890v@gmail.com or mtharmon@email.sc.edu with the subject line "JOTSS Cover Art Special Edition.” A modest stipend is available. Cover art submissions are due by August 30, 2026.

The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies (JOTSS) is fostering a casual and creative format for upcoming scholars to submit rigorous research from any discipline with content relating to Taylor Swift, due by August 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Submissions may draw from diverse methodological approaches, whether historical, literary, philosophical, or cultural, but should seek to be innovative and advance our timely understanding of Taylor Swift Studies.

Submission Requirements:
The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies (JOTSS) is committed to fostering dialogue between established and new voices in the emerging field of Taylor Swift studies. The JOTSS Special Edition, Colloquially Speaking!, is seeking submissions of casual-creative caliber, which includes but not limited to the genres of theoretical essays, nonfiction prose, creative writing, and more. We welcome submissions equivalent to 2,000-4,000 words (for traditional essays) or creative projects that demonstrate a looser academic lens and careful analysis of the work of Taylor Swift. Submissions, whether academic or nonfiction/creative, may draw from diverse approaches, whether artistic, historical, literary, philosophical, or cultural, but should seek to be innovative and expand our timely understanding of Taylor Swift Studies.

At-A-Glance:
Please submit your full creative project or research paper, including the abstract.
● Submission - 2,000-4,000 words (creative works may be briefer)
● Abstracts - no more than 250 words

Submitting is easy! Just use our submission portal:
https://orb.binghamton.edu/jotss/

Dates To Remember:

Submission deadline: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Decision date: Sunday September 27, 2026
Revision deadline: November 1, 2026

Special Edition Launch: December 13, 2026

Contact Associate Editors, Danielle Ball at danielle.ball890v@gmail.com or Madison Harmon mtharmon@email.sc.edu with inquiries.