Submissions We Are Pleased to Consider
What is The Oxford Review looking for?
Clever: A rarely uttered British term which can infer mental dexterity, a skilful adept mind or a sharp witty person. This can include someone with a rapier wit, a clever quip or even a circle of dilettanti with a propensity and desire to pursue esoteric knowledge.
We do not, however, intend the term in its pejorative sense. We mean it in the Oxford way…the Inkling way. The way in which one might summon the philologists or those influenced by medieval history, mythology, folklore, archaeology, poetry and high historic fantasy. Writing in the lyrical way. The way in which Tolkien—in letters to his fiancé—confessed his desire to emulate Morris by writing with “chunks of poetry.”[1]
The way in which those beloved dilettantes of the 18th Century drove interest to the Middle Ages Studies by collecting antiquarian medieval artifacts which they discussed at parties.[2] The way in which they opened doors to uncharted studies, published esoteric texts through the Camden Society and encouraged the improvement of methodology.
What We Really Want:
Whether you are submitting nonfiction, fiction, commentary, satire, poetry, a literary leaning scientific paper or even a spirited but well-argued letter to the Editor, The Oxford Review will have a keen eye for anything in the vein of clever.
We welcome a sharp wit or mercurial tongue, provided it delivers a cogent argument. Also, please avoid ad hominem attacks, and remember that introducing logical fallacies is like throwing frankfurters at a charging lion and expecting it to cower.
[1] "With chunks of poetry in between": The Lord of the Rings and Saga Poetics