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California History is the top-flight historical journal of California. As such, it is committed to publishing well-researched, original, and thoughtfully argued pieces that go well beyond purely descriptive narrative.

Published quarterly, California History accepts electronic submissions year-round via email to: [email protected]. 

Articles should be submitted as email attachments to the editor (see Detailed Article Submission Guidelines, below) at [email protected]. 

Books for review may be sent to Greg Brueck, Ph.D., in care of the History Department at the above address. Book review queries may be sent via email to Dr. Brueck care of [email protected]. Scholars with disabilities may contact the editor for any accommodations to these procedures.

California History is also seeking articles, surveys, and "think pieces" relating to the successful teaching of California history to educators and future educators at all levels of instruction, from elementary and secondary school to training undergraduates and graduate students to think like historians--that is, critically.

Call for Papers:

In 2026, the United States celebrates the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In light of this significant occasion, California History is preparing a special issue focusing on “American Revolutions in California.” See the issue's Call for Papers.

Forum:

“Forum” is California History’s newest feature: short (1,000-1,500 words), smart, accessibly written, academically sound opinion pieces interpreting current events through an historical lens. An expert panel of California historians, California History’s University of California Faculty Advisory Board, peer reviews Forum submissions. Our goal is speedy inclusion in the next upcoming issue (Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter). Forum submissions may consider any subject of interest to California History readers. California History accepts Forum submissions year-round. Submissions must conform to our style guidelines for research essay text and endnotes (see Detailed Submission Guidelines, below). Submissions intended for Forum should be submitted in MS Word format via email to [email protected].

Public History Column:

California History is always looking for articles for its Public History forum. The journal is interested in a broad range of topics and perspectives pertaining to historical engagement with the broader public in California, including but not limited to:

• Digital humanities
• Public history-minded programming
• Reviews of exhibitions
• Oral history projects
• Film and media
• Historical preservation

The Map Room:

The Map Room section features both original maps (in .eps format) and historic reproductions (in .tiff format) that illustrate historical trends in California, typically accompanied by a short essay (about 300 words).

The Leading Edge:

Typically around 1,000 to 1,500 words in length, submissions to The Leading Edge should highlight original research in progress. The research should be current, timely, and probing, and include visuals (maps, photographs, documents).

Book Reviews:

Every issue of California History features an extensive section devoted to book reviews.

Books for review may be sent to Greg Brueck, Ph.D. in care of the History Department at California State University, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Student and Faculty Services Building Room 442, Hayward, CA 94542. The History Department Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, telephone: (510) 506-0605; email: [email protected]. Scholars with disabilities may contact the editor for any accommodations to these procedures. 

Our book reviews are typically 1,000-1,200 words in length. We prefer an analytical approach to a chapter summary and parenthetical citations (234) to endnotes or footnotes.

If you are interested in writing book reviews for the journal, please email [email protected]. In your email, identify the fields in which you are qualified to review and include a listing of your significant publications. Book reviewers are expected to have a record of refereed publication in the area in which they review.

Detailed Article Submission Guidelines:

Manuscripts must not exceed 14,000 words, including end notes.

Follow the Chicago Manual of Style.

Submit articles in MS Word, double-spaced, using Times New Roman, 12-point font.

Use end notes rather than footnotes or in-text citations.

If an individual end note contains both discursive material and citations, all discursive material must appear at the beginning of the note, and all citations at the end of the note. 

To facilitate the blind review process, do not list your name anywhere in the article. Include your name only a separate title page. Do not include acknowledgements. Do not cite your own work except in a way that does not reveal your identity.

All article submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter, an abstract no longer than 500 words, keywords (to help researchers find your article), and any proposed illustrations (see section below). Cover letters should include the names of three or four potential peer reviewers.

If your article is a revised version of a previous submission to California History, please include this information in your cover letter.

Formatting Instructions for Illustrations (Pictures, Charts, Maps, and Tables):

All illustrations must be provided as separate documents. Tables must be in MS Word format. Pictures, charts, and maps must be TIFs at 300+ dpi at the size they will appear in print.

Tip: Divide pixels by 300 to determine an image's maximum print size. (An image of 1200 x 1500 pixels prints at 4 x 5 inches max; 900 x 1200 pixels prints at 3 x 4 inches; 300 x 600 pixels prints at just 1 x 2 inches, which is probably too small).

Every illustration must have a corresponding call-out in the main text indicating approximate placement.

Every illustration must have a caption. 

Authors are responsible for paying reproduction fees and obtaining permissions for copyrighted materials. However, the editor will gladly write supporting letters to the holders of copyrights for authors seeking remission of the fees.

The Article Review Process

Initially, the editor reads each submission to verify its suitability to California History and to identify experts to serve as external referees. Depending on the nature of the particular piece, the editors will seek anywhere from two to five referees.

The review process is double-blind and may take anywhere from three to six months to complete. Referees are asked to include, and go beyond, a recommendation about publication. Once all referee reports are returned to the editor, the editor generally reaches one of four decisions:

o   An article may be accepted outright;
o   It may be conditionally-accepted, pending specific changes;
o   It may be returned for revisions with encouragement to resubmit; or
o    It may be returned outright.

Many articles that eventually appear in California History are initially sent back with a request for further revision. Authors should not interpret this decision as a rejection but, rather, as an indication that the referees recognize the manuscript's promise and that the editor hopes the author will undertake the recommended revisions and resubmit the article to California History.

The editor expects that manuscripts submitted to California History are not under consideration by other journals, or previously published in whole or substantial part (as a book chapter, for example). University of California Press holds the copyright of articles published in California History. Authors who wish to reprint their California History article, in whole or substantial part, will need the Press's permission to do so.

Author Agreement

Please review the Author’s Rights and Warranties sections of the author agreement before submitting your article. The California History author agreement may be downloaded (in PDF) by clicking here.