Modern Language Quarterly (MLQ) A project of Duke University Press (see other related projects). About MLQ accepts articles that pay attention to the broader scope of literary history regardless of genre or period. The focus of publication—and the sticking point—is literary history. General theory, historicist contextualizations, and self-contained close readings are not published. Essays should concern the situation and the action of literary works in time. Chronology must matter to an essay's argument or theoretical concern, together with the impact or interrelationship of imaginative texts. Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1940 Publication Media & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 4 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationPublished 4 x per year AI Policy AI use may be permitted in some circumstances (see their site for details) Nonfiction Open Audience:Scholars.Lengths: Essay: 3,000 - 5,000 words.Styles:Academic.Topics: History: Topical history, See guidelines. Literature/Books: Theory/Analysis/Criticism, See guidelines.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are NOT allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @dukepress.bsky.socialFacebook Facebook Support this Publisher: Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Modern Language Quarterly Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. We have not received any submission reports for this listing in the past 12 months. Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsAgricultural HistoryAmerican LiteratureCamera ObscuraComparative LiteraturedifferencesDuke University PressEighteenth-Century LifeGLQThe Journal of Asian StudiesThe Journal of Medieval and Early Modern StudiesNew German CritiquePublic CultureRadical History Review Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 09 Sep 2026For scholarly publications, we check their guidelines for changes twice a year, and we audit the listing once a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only