Submit to The Ledger
Pitch Your Essay or Book Review
Serious Theology for the Church and Academy
We accept essay submissions from anyone, but generally expect authors to hold an advanced degree. Our audience consists primarily of graduate students, pastors, and scholars who are hungry for rigorous theological engagement that is also pastorally grounded.
We focus on topics related to analytic, baptist, or confessional theology that promote charity, curiosity, critical thinking, and cheerful confessionalism. We are typically oriented around publishing specific themes and series, so a pitch is always the best first step.
We are looking for original essays — not reprints, not blog posts dressed up, and not hot takes. We want arguments: make a claim and defend it well.
We are selective by design. A lower acceptance rate means every published essay has earned its place and represents the standard we hold ourselves to.
The Submission Process
Send us a short paragraph pitch or abstract. We respond within one week. Getting in touch first is always the best move.
Acceptance of the pitch is not acceptance of the full essay. It simply means the topic and angle are a good fit for us.
If a fit, reviewers analyze the full essay within 2 months (usually 3–4 weeks): Accept, Accept with Revisions, or Decline — always with substantive feedback.
If accepted, there will be at least one additional round of editorial feedback and revision before your essay is published.
Guidelines
A Few Tips
We want to publish your best work. These principles represent the editorial culture of The Ledger.
Make strong arguments — make a claim and defend it with rigor and care.
We do not publish hot-takes. If your essay is primarily reactive to a news cycle, it is likely not a fit.
We require charity when critiquing other viewpoints. Steelman opposing positions before you dismantle them.
We love substantive theology with a pastoral heart — academic rigor and ecclesial warmth are not opposites.
We do not typically publish overtly devotional material. Know the difference.
Always define your terms. Theological ambiguity is not sophistication.
Get us thinking — the best essays leave the reader with more questions than answers, and better tools to pursue them.
Our Theological Commitments
The London Lyceum affirms the Second London Confession of Faith (1689). However, we are happy to publish articles that conflict with the 1689 Confession, provided the piece is clearly noted as such. We believe genuine theological dialogue requires engagement across real disagreements.
No essay that explicitly contradicts the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed will be considered for publication. These represent the irreducible bounds of Christian orthodoxy within which our dialogue takes place.
Publication Rights: By submitting and granting us publication rights, you authorize us to host and promote your essay. You retain ownership of your work. If you would like to republish it elsewhere after publication with us, simply drop us a note — we are generally happy to accommodate this.
Send Us Your Pitch
Start with a short paragraph outlining your argument, the text or topic you are engaging, and why it matters. We will respond within one week. You can also email us directly at contact@thelondonlyceum.com.