Call for papers

Call for Papers for the Literary Studies Journal Tematy i Konteksty 2026

(ISSN 2299-8365)

The Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most popular forms of lyric poetry, created for several centuries by both the greatest European poets and by writers of lesser stature. Although it has played an immense role in the history of European poetry, scholarly interest in the sonnet does not fully reflect its exceptional position in literary history. Most studies on the sonnet focus only on selected aspects of its poetics or history. There remains a lack of comprehensive monographic approaches that would systematically address issues related to the theory and practice of the sonnet: its generic identity, versification, composition, thematic concerns, and international interconnections.

Yet an understanding of the phenomenon of the sonnet’s popularity requires a broad perspective on its theory, poetics, and history, including international and comparative dimensions, as well as consideration of its diverse manifestations - from outstanding artistic achievements to derivative and imitative works. Since its emergence, the sonnet has never ceased to attract the interest of poets and continues to do so even in the age of postmodern literature. Although its significance has evolved over time, it remains an important point of reference for creative exploration.

The next volume of Tematy i Konteksty will be devoted to these issues. We invite submissions exploring a variety of questions related to the poetics of the sonnet, as well as the history of the genre in Poland and in other countries around the world. Possible topics include:

• the history of the sonnet in Polish poetry and in the literatures of other countries;
• the role of the sonnet in the ideological discourses of various literary periods;
• international contexts of the sonnet’s development: similarities, influences, interdependencies, and inspirations;
• theoretical reflections on the sonnet (in poetic treatises, literary-critical texts, essays on literary creation, etc.);
• the poetics of the sonnet (themes, varieties, verse structure, composition; sonnetoid and sonnet-like forms; the sonnet in relation to other lyric genres);
• renowned and forgotten sonnet writers (biographical profiles, achievements, sonnet dialogues, and continuations);
• the sonnet in translation;
• the sonnet as a form of occasional and functional literature (occasional poems, sonnet contests, and poetic duels);
• interpretations of individual sonnets and sonnet sequences.

As in previous years, we also welcome articles not directly related to the thematic focus of the volume, as well as reviews of important scholarly monographs in literary studies.

We invite authors to submit articles and reviews (up to one publisher’s sheet in length, including an abstract, keywords, and a bibliography) by 28 February 2026 through the journal’s Open Journal System (OJS) platform: Tematy i Konteksty – OJS.

Please ensure that submitted manuscripts conform to the formatting and submission guidelines available on the journal’s website: Submission Guidelines.