The Horizons in Religious Education series publishes manuscripts defining key directions in the field of religious education. Inclusion in the series is competitive. REA commitments to interfaith, intercultural, and international conversations about the field guide manuscript selection for publication in the series. Horizons accepts no more than three manuscripts each year
In determining manuscripts for the series, editors give preference to newer scholars. However, the series editorial board may select edited manuscripts by established scholars defining key directions in the field. Edited manuscripts are to be focused and integrated including also the work of younger scholars.
The Horizons editorial board maintains the direction of Horizons in Religious Education in consultation with the REA Publications committee for the REA executive committee. The board provides an annual report of the work of Horizons to the Publications committee.
Communication among Horizons members usually occurs by email, yet the board attempts to schedule one meeting annually, often by audio or online conferencing.
Process
The process of manuscript submission, review, and selection is delineated in documents found
below. The series co-editors are available for consultation about manuscript proposals.
General guidelines include:
- Manuscript proposals may be sent to the chair of the Horizons co-editorial team.
(Currently Dr. Mai-Anh Le Tran, at maianh [dot] tran [at] garrett [dot] edu .) - Manuscripts should be approximately 40,000-50,000 words or 160-200 typed double spaced pages and no more than 200 pages including introductions, table of contents, citations and any indexes.
- Authors should be members of the Religious Education Association. As detailed further in the documents linked below, co-editors will review and send manuscript proposals through a review process. Authors with accepted proposals will work with an editorial liaison to accompany them through successful development of the manuscript. With approved manuscripts, authors will enter into publishing contract with Wipf and Stock.
- Manuscripts must be submitted to Wipf and Stock in final form as defined by the Wipf and Stock author guide. Authors are often encouraged to work with an editor or copyeditor (at their own expense) to assure manuscripts meet publication guidelines. Horizons covers manuscript typesetting cost at the time of production.
Shaping of ideas/mentoring
The Horizons Editorial Board believes that the field advances and flourishes when scholarly
energy is well-stewarded within a community of collegial support. We know that shaping and
developing new projects is difficult work, especially for new scholars who are navigating
complex professional demands. We also recognize that contributions to a field requires careful
discernment of how to communicate important ideas through quality research to relevant publics.
To encourage scholarly generativity, the editors of Horizons are committed to supporting authors
in considering, exploring and developing focused projects that contribute to the field. We invite
authors with new ideas to contact any one of the three co-editors of Horizons. The co-editors will
assist authors in considering possibilities, including connecting them with other editors and/or
seasoned colleagues in the Religious Education Association to shape and develop focus, scope,
and arguments for viable projects. We believe this collegiality will enhance contributions to the
field as well as embody our field’s commitments to a community of scholarship.
Forms and Guidelines
Click to retrieve HORIZONS in RE Proposal Form (2024), HORIZONS Manuscript Review Process (2024-May), HORIZONS Guidelines for Manuscript Review (2024-Jul)
Updated language for Horizons webpage (01/16/2025)