Ancient Exchanges

Ancient Exchanges is an online journal devoted to literary translations of ancient texts. Like Exchanges, we publish original artwork, side-by-side translations into English, and translator notes. Unique to the new journal will be a focus on chronological scope with an emphasis on ancient texts. The first issue will be devoted to the ancient Mediterranean, with subsequent issues expanding to include the ancient world globally. Each issue will feature a pedagogical essay called “In the Classroom.” This essay may be a guide for or reflections on using literary translation and Ancient Exchanges as pedagogical tools.

We accept literary translations of original texts in ancient languages including, but certainly not limited to:

Old Arabic, Aramaic, Assyrian, Coptic, Classical Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Old and Early Middle Japanese, Latin, Old Norse, Sanskrit, Sumerian. If you are interested in sending us your translation from an ancient language not mentioned here, please send us a query at ancient-exchanges@uiowa.edu.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions are now open for our Fall 2020 issue.

Deadline: 15 March. Anything received after that date will be held for consideration for our next issue.

We accept translations of ancient poetry, short or excerpted prose, and drama. We also welcome visual art submissions of any medium to be featured alongside our translations.

We consider pedagogy. Each issue’s “In the Classroom” essay may be a guide for or reflections on using literary translation and Ancient Exchanges as pedagogical tools. Writers should query the associate managing editor at ancient-exchanges@uiowa.edu, subject line “In the Classroom.”

We happily accept simultaneous submissions, but ask that you notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere. We are unable to accept previously published work. Submissions must include:

  • both the original and the translation in a copy-pastable format (i.e., we prefer not to receive pdfs);
  • 50- to 100-word biographies of both author and translator;
  • a short note on the process of translation (refer to published notes in Exchanges for ideas);

Submissions without all four components will not be accepted for publication. Please collate the above in a single .doc or .docx attachment with the file name formatted as translator’s surname_author’s surname_original language_genre.doc (e.g. Schmidt_Do_Arabic_fiction.doc) and email to ancient-exchanges@uiowa.edu

The subject of your email should be TRASUB-Translator’s name, Author’s name (e.g. TRASUB-Juan Schmidt, Jane Do). Please note that neglecting to follow this format increases the likelihood your submission will not be received.

If your work has previously been published by Ancient Exchanges, we ask that you consider waiting a submission cycle before submitting new work.

  • poetry: up to 7 poems;
  • prose: up to 4,000 words;
  • drama: up to 15 pages;
  • reviews: up to 2,500 words
  • In the Classroom: up to 1,500 words

To submit works of visual media:

  • Photos or scans should be at least 1000 × 1000 pixels in size, and 72 dpi resolution.

Please submit photos or scans of the media in .jpg format with the file name formatted as artist’s surname_piece title.jpg (e.g. Do_My Art.jpg) to ancient-exchanges@uiowa.edu

The subject of your email should be ARTSUB-Artist’s name, Piece Title, Medium (e.g. ARTSUB-Jane Do, My Art, Acrylic on canvas). Please note that neglecting to follow this format increases the likelihood your submission will not be received.

Editor
Adrienne K.H. Rose, adrienne-rose@uiowa.edu

Associate Managing Editor
Laura Moser

Associate Editor, Art and Design
Lindsay Vella

Section Editors
Associate Editor, In the Classroom
Echo Smith

Associate Editor, Resources and Social Media
Sara Hales-Brittain

Editorial Assistants: tba

Advisory Board: tba