About the Journal

About Papers

Papers is a free, open-access online journal publishing leading edge critical research into children’s literature. Papers is fully-refereed and all submissions undergo a double-blind reviewing process by members of the journal’s international reviewing board. While the editors welcome articles on Australasian material, we do not limit Papers to articles only on Australasian works, or by Australasian scholars. Articles might include theoretical perspectives, comparative analysis, discussions of texts of historical interest, bibliographical essays that also provide a scholarly overview of the works listed, or practice-led research engaging with the creative practice of writing for children and young adults. Our ethos is to enhance research, and to support the dissemination of knowledge and the free exchange of ideas.  

Papers publishes one issue per year. Themed issues are announced through a Call for Papers and may be edited by invited guest editors. 

Papers has a continuous publication system and aims to provide a prompt and efficient review process. From the receipt of a manuscript we aim to provide reviewer reports within six (6) weeks from the submission date. All research papers will undergo a timely, constructive, confidential, fair and impartial double blind review process.

Publication History 

Papers was originally published in 1990 by Magpies Magazine for a professional and general readership interested in children’s literature. Since then it has evolved into a fully peer-reviewed research journal with a commitment to publishing globally relevant, academically rigorous thinking about all aspects of the study and practice of children’s and young adult writing. It is the official scholarly publication of the  Australasian Children’s Literature Association for Research (ACLAR). In 2021, it returned to Deakin University.