Aims and Scope

DELVE – Journal of Literature is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal dedicated to advancing high-quality scholarship in literary studies and related fields within the humanities. The journal provides a platform for critical, theoretical, and interpretive engagement with literature across diverse historical periods, genres, and cultural contexts. The journal welcomes original contributions that demonstrate analytical depth, conceptual clarity, and methodological rigor. It seeks to promote innovative research that expands the boundaries of literary inquiry, engages with evolving critical frameworks, and contributes to contemporary debates in literary and cultural studies. 

Frequency: Annual.

DELVE encourages submissions across a wide spectrum of literary domains, including but not limited to:

• Literary Theory and Criticism
• Comparative Literature
• Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies
• Cultural and Media Studies
• Gender and Feminist Literary Studies
• Translation Studies
• Indigenous and Regional Literatures
• World Literature
• Digital Humanities and Literature
• Linguistics and Discourse Analysis (in literary contexts)

The journal particularly values contributions that:

• Offer original and critical interpretations of literary texts
• Engage with contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches
• Explore intersections between literature, culture, and society
• Address historical, political, and philosophical dimensions of literature
• Highlight regional, marginalized, and underrepresented literary voices

While maintaining a global perspective, DELVE places special emphasis on literary scholarship related to Northeast India and other underrepresented regions, fostering inclusive and diverse academic discourse.

In addition to regular issues, the journal publishes special and thematic issues focusing on emerging trends and critical debates, curated by distinguished scholars and guest editors.

Editorial Board

Editor-In-Chief

Dr. Ananya Hiloidari, Associate Professor, Department of English, Nagaon University

Associate Editors

Dr. Manash Jyoti Nirmalia, Assistant Professor, Department of Assamese, Nagaon University

Dr. Chandan Hazarika, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Nagaon University

Dr. Violet Dutta, Assistant Professor, Department of Hindi, Nagaon University

Editorial Board Members

Dr. Banashree Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Assamese, Nagaon University

Dr. Purboshri Borpuzari, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Nagaon University

Dr. Amjad Hussain Laskar, Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic, Nagaon University

Editorial Policies

DELVE – Journal of Literature adheres to rigorous editorial standards to ensure academic integrity, fairness, and scholarly excellence.

• Editorial Independence: All editorial decisions are based solely on originality, scholarly contribution, relevance, and critical rigor.
• Peer Review: All submissions undergo a double-anonymous peer review process to ensure unbiased and independent evaluation.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any competing interests.
• Academic Integrity: The journal maintains strict policies against plagiarism, misrepresentation, and unethical scholarly practices.
• Corrections and Retractions: Established procedures are followed to address errors or ethical concerns and maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence: Any use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed. AI tools cannot be credited as authors.
• Confidentiality: All participants in the publication process must uphold confidentiality and professional ethics.

Ethics and Disclosures

DELVE is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical publishing and transparency in literary scholarship.

• Competing Interests: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any relationships that may influence the research or its evaluation.
• Ethical Scholarship: Authors must ensure proper citation, acknowledgment of sources, and respect for intellectual property.
• Use of Sources: All primary and secondary materials must be accurately represented and appropriately referenced.
• Ethical Standards: The journal follows the principles and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics.
• Misconduct Handling: Allegations of plagiarism or unethical conduct are addressed with fairness, confidentiality, and due process.

Contact the journal

To contact the journal, the fastest way to get answers regarding submissions and queries is via email at delveliterary@nagaonuniversity.ac.in

Submission Guidelines

1. General Requirements

• Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
• All authors must approve the submission.
• Manuscripts should be submitted via the journal’s official email.

2. Types of Contributions

The journal accepts:

• Original Research Articles
• Review Articles
• Short Communications / Research Notes
• Book Reviews
• Critical Essays / Commentaries

3. Manuscript Preparation

Manuscripts should be prepared in Microsoft Word and must include:

• Title Page (author names, affiliations, corresponding author details)
• Abstract (150–250 words)
• Keywords (4–6)
• Main Text (Introduction, Theoretical Framework/Approach, Analysis/Discussion, Conclusion)
• References
• Acknowledgements (if applicable)
• Declarations (conflict of interest, funding, etc.)

The abstract should clearly outline the research focus, theoretical approach, key arguments, and scholarly contribution.

4. Formatting Guidelines

• Recommended length: 4,000–7,000 words (flexible depending on submission type)
• Use clear headings and subheadings where appropriate
• Quotations must be properly cited and formatted
• Follow a consistent referencing style (APA/MLA/Chicago or journal-specific format)

5. Ethical Compliance

Authors must ensure:

• Proper authorship attribution
• Accurate citation and acknowledgment of sources
• Disclosure of conflicts of interest
• Adherence to academic integrity and avoidance of plagiarism

6. Peer Review Process

All submissions are initially screened by the editorial team. Suitable manuscripts are then sent for double-anonymous peer review by subject experts.

7. Supplementary Materials

Where relevant, authors may include appendices or supplementary materials. These should be clearly labelled and referenced in the manuscript.

8. Cover Letter

A cover letter must accompany the submission and include:

• A brief description of the manuscript’s contribution and originality
• Confirmation that the work is not under consideration elsewhere
• Statement of relevance to the journal

9. Post-Submission Process

Authors may be required to revise their manuscripts based on reviewer comments. Revised submissions should include a detailed response to reviewers.

10. Final Acceptance and Publication

Upon acceptance, authors must submit final formatted files and respond to copyediting queries. The journal reserves the right to make minor editorial revisions for clarity and consistency.

How to Publish with Us

1. Prepare Your Manuscript

Ensure adherence to submission guidelines and scholarly standards.

2. Submit Your Manuscript

Submit via the journal’s official email with required documents.

3. Initial Editorial Screening

Manuscripts are assessed for scope, quality, and relevance.

4. Peer Review

Double-anonymous review by experts in the field.

5. Revision and Resubmission

Authors revise manuscripts based on reviewer feedback.

6. Final Decision

Acceptance based on scholarly merit and contribution.

7. Open Access Publication

All articles are freely accessible without subscription barriers.

8. Publication and Dissemination

Articles are published online and shared within the academic community.

9. Author Support

Editorial guidance is provided throughout the publication process.

Fees and Funding

DELVE – Journal of Literature operates under a fully open access, no-fee model:

• No Submission Fees
• No Article Processing Charges (APCs)

The journal is supported by Nagaon University to ensure equitable access to scholarly publishing.

Authors are encouraged to acknowledge funding sources where applicable. Editorial decisions are based solely on academic merit.

Submit Your Manuscript

Authors are invited to submit manuscripts via email:

Email: delveliterary@nagaonuniversity.ac.in

Submission Requirements:

• Full manuscript (with author details)
• An anonymized version for peer review
• Cover letter

Email Subject Line: “Manuscript Submission – DELVE Literature”

Important Notes:

• Manuscripts must be original and not under consideration elsewhere
• Submissions must follow journal guidelines
• All required sections must be included

All communication, including reviewer comments and editorial decisions, will be conducted via email.