Trilithon: The Journal of the Ancient Order of Druids in America is the official journal of the AODA. We seek essays, articles, book reviews, think pieces, photos, and narratives on any aspect of AODA and Revival Druidry. We encourage authors to explore and document core practices, rituals, traditions, and concepts that intersect with the AODA curriculum and other aspects of Druid experience. Submissions may be short or go into considerable depth (maximum length 6000 words).
Submissions are due January 15th (of the publishing year). We are currently accepting submissions for Trilithon’s 9th volume, due January 15th, 2024. Trilithon is released, every other year near the Winter Solstice. All AODA members (and non-members) are invited to submit.
We publish:
- Essays, articles, book reviews, think pieces, and narratives about the practices of earth spirituality at the center of Druidry: Wildcrafting, permaculture and gardening, ritual, meditation, energy-work, divination, community-building, connecting with nature, drawing on other traditions, and others. While we are an North-American based druidry order, we welcome individuals from anywhere in the world to submit.
- “Photographic essays.” Photo “stories” of rituals, home and study group meetings, craft or tool-making processes, pilgrimages/retreats, garden projects, and/or clean-up and restoration efforts. We would request high-quality photos to be accompanied by short (text-based) narration of the event, process, or effort. For an example of a photo essay, please click HERE.
- New prayers, rituals, or energy/spirit workings. How do you call upon the elements, honor your plant allies, revere the natural world, open sacred space, or recognize the stillness within? How has spirit spoken through you? (If you can explain your creative process or the ways that your words draw on history, previously published pieces, or the poetic, all the better!) For an example, click HERE.
- Personal narratives or pieces of creative nonfiction. These types of stories are engaging, creative, and authentic, but do not necessarily draw on or cite sources. Examples of creative nonfiction pieces can be found HERE.
A note on our publication process: Everyone who submits a piece will have the opportunity to work with a professional editorial team. We offer both professional developmental and copy-editing suggestions–this means that you’ll get feedback, which will help you shape (revise) your article. Druids who have contributed to the journal in previous years can share their experiences of the process. We seek to make the process beneficial for everyone. Revisions are central to maintaining a high-quality publication.
We highly encourage those who submit scholarly or historically-informed pieces to include outside sources, to cite those sources, and ground any personal narratives or experience in a larger, historical, or “research-based” conversation. Authors may draw from popular, academic, and other pagan resources to make connections across communities and resources. The editorial team can help authors at any stage of the process with citation styles, integrating source material, or locating sources that provide grounding for their work.
Authors are asked to follow the Chicago style for any submission. For more information about the Chicago style (including formatting citations and references), please click HERE.
Some Additional Submission information:
Originality
All submissions must be your original work and should not be under consideration at any other publication. If you collaborate with others on the piece, they must also give permission to submit the work.
References
If you are using someone else’s words or ideas in your manuscript, you need to clearly cite that reference both in the text and in a references section (Chicago Style). AODA editors are happy to help you with this if you are unsure how to do so.
Use of Language
Although the AODA is based in the United States of America, we have members worldwide. We ask that articles be written in plain, non-idiomatic, English. If you are using terminology that is not well known, please define your term the first time you use it. If you are choosing an alternative spelling or capitalization in a purposeful manner, please let the editors know at the time of your submission.
Graphics
Graphics/artwork that accompanies article submissions must be included at the time of the article and must be of high resolution (minimum of 300 dpi) and in grayscale or black and white. Artwork can be submitted as a .psd, .bmp, or .jpg file.
AI Statement
As AODA celebrates human-oriented druidry, we ask that your submissions be free of AI-generated text or images. Thus, we do not accept essays generated or partially generated by AI or images generated by AI.
How to Submit
The article deadline for articles is January 15th for the upcoming Summer Solstice issue, although we are happy to accept articles well before that deadline. Please submit articles in .doc, .docx, or .rtf format to trilithon@aoda.org. After you have submitted your work, you can expect a response on the status of your article within three weeks’ time.
Copyright Policy
By submitting your work to Trilithon you are giving non-exclusive print and digital rights to the Ancient Order of Druids in America to publish your article (or portions thereof) in Trilithon or on its website. You retain the copyright to your work beyond granting AODA these rights. Thus, after publication, you can also publish your work in any other places (books, blogs, etc).
Publication Schedule
Trilithon is published yearly at the Fall Equinox. Articles for the yearly publication are due by January 15th. Authors are free to submit anytime in the year; if your article is accepted, it will be held until our next yearly publication.
Author Contact Information
When submitting your article, at the end of the manuscript itself, please also include a brief biography (up to 100 words about who you are and your path), your real name, your contact information, and then the name you prefer to appear with your article.
Questions and Submissions
Questions and submissions can be directed to Leah Pelligrino, Chief Editor at: trilithon@aoda.org
