Publishing a research paper in a reputed Scopus-indexed journal is one of the most important goals for scholars in English Literature and related humanities disciplines. However, many researchers—especially postgraduate students, early-career academicians, and independent scholars—often struggle with high publication charges imposed by international journals.

The good news is that several prestigious English Literature journals indexed in Scopus still offer completely free publication opportunities, meaning authors are not required to pay any Article Processing Charges (APC). Many of these journals are supported by universities, academic associations, or subscription-based publishing models that maintain high academic standards without charging authors.

In this blog, we explore some of the top Scopus-indexed English Literature journals with zero APC, along with their scope, publisher details, and why they are highly respected in the academic community.

Why Researchers Prefer Free Scopus Indexed Journals

Scopus-indexed journals are widely recognized for their academic credibility, global visibility, and citation impact. Publishing in such journals can strengthen a researcher's academic profile and improve opportunities for career growth, research funding, and international collaboration.

Free publication journals are particularly beneficial because they:

  • Reduce financial burden on researchers
  • Maintain high peer-review standards
  • Increase accessibility for scholars worldwide
  • Provide strong academic credibility through Scopus indexing

Unlike predatory journals that charge high fees without proper review, reputable no-APC journals focus more on scholarly contribution and research quality.

Top 10 Scopus Indexed English Literature Journals for Free Publication

1. New Literary History

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Scopus Quartile: Q1
Publication Fee: Completely Free (No APC)
New Literary History is considered one of the most prestigious journals in literary studies. The journal primarily focuses on literary theory, cultural history, and interdisciplinary literary analysis. Due to its strong reputation and rigorous peer-review process, publication in this journal is highly competitive.
Suitable for: Literary criticism, comparative literature, theory and philosophy of literature, interdisciplinary humanities research.

2. PMLA

Publisher: Modern Language Association / Cambridge University Press
Scopus Quartile: Q1
Publication Fee: Free (No APC)
PMLA is among the most widely cited journals in modern languages and English literature. The journal accepts scholarly essays across diverse literary periods, methodologies, and cultural contexts.
Suitable for: Modern literature, literary theory, comparative cultural studies, language and textual analysis.

3. ELH

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Scopus Quartile: Q1
Publication Fee: Free (No APC)
ELH focuses entirely on English and American literary history, making it one of the most respected journals for historical literary scholarship. It publishes research ranging from Old English literature to contemporary literary analysis.
Suitable for: Historical literary movements, Renaissance literature, Victorian studies, American literary traditions.

4. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Scopus Quartile: Q1 / Q2
Publication Fee: Free under traditional publishing model
This journal specializes in critical studies on contemporary fiction and modern writers. It is highly suitable for research focused on post-1950 literary works and modern narrative analysis.
Suitable for: Contemporary fiction, postmodern literature, narrative theory, modern literary criticism.

5. Anglica: An International Journal of English Studies

Publisher: University of Warsaw
Scopus Quartile: Q2 / Q3
Publication Fee: Free (Diamond Open Access)
Anglica is a respected European journal that publishes research in English literature, theatre, film studies, and cultural studies. Since it follows a Diamond Open Access model, both publication and reading access are free.
Suitable for: British and American literature, theatre studies, film and media analysis, cultural discourse.

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6. International Journal of English Studies

Publisher: Universidad de Murcia
Scopus Quartile: Q1
Publication Fee: Free (Diamond Open Access)
IJES is recognized for publishing high-quality research in English literature, linguistics, and applied language studies. The journal has strong international visibility and follows a strict peer-review process.

7. Atlantis: Journal of the Spanish Association for Anglo-American Studies

Publisher: AEDEAN
Scopus Quartile: Q1 / Q2
Publication Fee: Free (No APC)
Atlantis covers a broad range of topics in Anglo-American literature, literary criticism, and cultural studies. It follows a rigorous double-anonymous peer-review system while maintaining free publication access for authors.

8. 3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature

Publisher: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Press
Scopus Quartile: Q1
Publication Fee: Free (No APC)
3L is a well-known Asia-Pacific journal focusing on language, linguistics, and literature. It is particularly recognized for publishing research in postcolonial studies and interdisciplinary literary analysis.

9. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies

Publisher: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Press
Scopus Quartile: Q1
Publication Fee: Free (No APC)
GEMA publishes multidisciplinary research related to language studies, discourse analysis, and English literature. Researchers often appreciate its strong indexing visibility and structured review process.

10. Miscelánea: A Journal of English and American Studies

Publisher: Universidad de Zaragoza
Scopus Quartile: Q2
Publication Fee: Free (Diamond Open Access)
Miscelánea specializes in English and American literary studies, textual criticism, and postcolonial analysis. The journal is respected for its interdisciplinary approach and detailed peer-review standards.

Important Things to Know Before Submission

Even though these journals are free to publish in, researchers should understand that:

  • Acceptance rates are often low due to high competition
  • Peer-review timelines may take several months
  • Manuscripts must follow strict formatting and citation standards
  • Originality and strong academic contribution are essential

Publishing in reputed Scopus-indexed journals requires patience, quality research, and careful journal selection.

Free Scopus-indexed English Literature journals provide an excellent opportunity for researchers to publish high-quality work without financial burden. Journals such as PMLA, ELH, New Literary History, and IJES are globally respected and maintain strong academic standards while offering zero APC publication options.

Researchers should carefully review the scope, submission guidelines, and review process of each journal before submission. Selecting the right journal not only improves the chances of acceptance but also enhances the visibility and long-term impact of academic research.

Looking Beyond Scopus? Researchers Are Exploring JCRELC

Publishing in a Scopus-indexed journal is a major goal for many researchers in English Literature and Cultural Studies. However, high competition, long peer-review timelines, and strict publication requirements often make the process difficult and time-consuming.

As a result, many scholars are now exploring reliable alternatives like JCRELC (Journal of Creative Research in English Literature and Culture), an open-access journal dedicated to English Literature, linguistics, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary humanities research. The journal follows a double-blind peer-review process and provides constructive editorial support to help improve manuscript quality before publication.

Unlike many traditional journals with lengthy waiting periods, JCRELC focuses on a more transparent and author-friendly publication workflow. Its open-access approach also helps researchers gain better visibility and accessibility worldwide.

Why Researchers Are Exploring Platforms Like JCRELC

  • Faster and more transparent publication process
  • Detailed editorial suggestions for manuscript improvement
  • Open-access visibility for global readership
  • Suitable for early-career researchers and PhD scholars
  • Supports interdisciplinary humanities and literature research

For researchers seeking timely publication and academic exposure, platforms like JCRELC can provide a practical and research-friendly publishing opportunity while maintaining essential academic standards.

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