History Matters
An Undergraduate Journal of Historical Research
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline for submissions?
Students desiring to be published in the Spring, must submit their papers on or before the last Friday in January every year.
Do you accept late submissions?
No, we do not.
How can I submit my paper?
Email your submission as an attachment, either in Word or Word Perfect formats, to the editors at histmatt@appstate.edu. Please visit our Submissions Info page for more information.
How can I contact the editorial staff with questions or comments?
We welcome inquiries, suggestions, and correspondence through our email: histmatt@appstate.edu.
If I revise my paper or do additional research, am I guaranteed publication?
No paper is guaranteed publication until the entire editorial process has been completed and the Editor has made the final decisions. Papers undergo both student and faculty reviews, and we typically request multiple revisions of the papers that are eventually published.
How much time is allotted for revisions?
Authors may spend up to two weeks on requested revisions. This process may take place more than once.
Do I have to be attending at four-year college or university in order to submit?
Yes, we only accept papers from current college or university undergraduates.
If I have already graduated, can I submit a paper that I wrote as an undergraduate?
No, we only accept papers from current undergraduates.
If I graduate in December, can I still submit a paper?
No, we only accept papers from students who are undergraduates throughout the editorial process, which ultimately results in the publication of the journal in April.
How long do papers have to be?
We strongly prefer papers that are between 10 and 20 pages with double spacing and 1" margins. We will usually ask authors to expand papers under 10 pages and trim papers over 20 pages. We do not accept papers over 29 pages in length.
How many sources should I have?
We require at least three primary sources and at least half a dozen secondary sources. Generally, one source per page is not a bad rule of thumb, but this is not a requirement. A greater number of primary sources may allow for fewer secondary sources.
Can I submit more than one paper?
We only accept one submission per author for each publication.
Are you looking for papers that cover specific topics or time periods?
No, we welcome historical research from all fields.
What is the Chicago Manual of Style?
It is the gold standard for formatting and citing in historical research papers. For more information about the Chicago Manual of Style, please visit the official website at www.chicagomanualofstyle.org or consult a hard copy at your library.
Who publishes HISTORY MATTERS?
The journal is published by the Department of History at Appalachian State University with the participation of students and faculty at other universities.
Is HISTORY MATTERS edited by students or professors?
Most of the editorial work is done by students. The Faculty Editorial Board provides valuable input and helps the journal maintain rigorous academic standards. However, all final decisions are made by the Editor, who is a student.
Are you affiliated with other "History Matters" websites?
No, we are not. Some other websites use "History Matters" either in their title or their purpose, but we are an independently run journal. Our full name is "HISTORY MATTERS: An Undergraduate Journal of Historical Research."
