Der Matossian’s ‘Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World’ Series Enriches NAASR Library and Armenian Studies

Another important aim of the series is to encourage scholars from Armenia to publish their research for an international readership. There are many talented young scholars working on the early modern and modern periods who need encouragement, mentorship, and guidance in order to bring their research to publication in an international academic series. I make a particular effort to reach out to such scholars, encourage them to submit their work, and help create opportunities for their scholarship to become more widely known.

We are also fortunate to have an outstanding and highly engaged editorial board whose members actively provide feedback on proposals and manuscripts. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the series does not publish manuscripts indiscriminately. Every manuscript is subjected to a rigorous peer-review process. We have rejected manuscripts in the past, while many others have successfully passed through the review process and gone on to publication. Maintaining these scholarly standards is essential to the intellectual mission and long-term reputation of the series.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the anonymous reviewers who have participated in this process. Their time, expertise, careful reading, and constructive criticism have been indispensable to maintaining the scholarly quality of the series and to supporting the authors whose work we publish.

Mamigonian: Why Bloomsbury, and how is the series funded?

Der Matossian: I.B. Tauris, formerly an imprint of Bloomsbury, has a long and distinguished tradition of publishing books in the field of Middle Eastern Studies. When I first established the series, Bloomsbury published its volumes under the I.B. Tauris imprint; more recently, however, the series has appeared under Bloomsbury Press.

Over the years, I have developed a strong working relationship with Bloomsbury Press, particularly with Rory Gormley, Senior Commissioning Editor for Middle East History, Literature and Culture. We have worked closely together for many years in developing the series and bringing important scholarly works to publication.

One of the principal challenges facing the series, however, is the lack of dedicated funding. Scholars frequently encounter financial difficulties in meeting the costs associated with editing, preparation of manuscripts, and other publication-related expenses. I work closely with authors to help them identify possible sources of financial support so that they can overcome these obstacles and bring their manuscripts to publication. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly clear that the series would benefit greatly from a dedicated fund specifically established to support its authors and publications.

It is important to acknowledge that the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Knights of Vartan Fund for Armenian Studies have generously provided research and publication support for numerous works in the field of Armenian Studies, including some publications associated with the series. This assistance has been extremely valuable. Despite such support, however, significant financial challenges remain. Establishing a dedicated fund for the series would provide a more stable and sustainable means of assisting scholars, particularly with editorial and publication-related expenses, and would help ensure the continued development and scholarly impact of the series.

Mamigonian: Why “Modern and Early Modern World”? 

Der Matossian: Over the past two decades, I have observed an increasing tendency within the field of Armenian Studies in the United States and Europe to focus on the medieval and ancient periods. To some extent, this shift has come at the expense of the early modern and modern periods, which have experienced a noticeable decline in scholarly attention. Today, relatively few endowed chairs and academic programs in the United States are positioned to train scholars specializing in modern or early modern Armenian history. I therefore initiated this series, in part, to encourage the publication of scholarship on the early modern and modern periods and to provide a strong scholarly venue for work in these areas.

That said, the series continues to have certain weaknesses, particularly with regard to the early modern period. To the best of my knowledge, Professor Sebouh Aslanian, holder of the Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA, is currently the only scholar in the United States who regularly trains graduate students in early modern Armenian history. Recognizing the need to strengthen the series in this area, I have recently begun collaborating with several scholars from the Matenadaran in an effort to expand its coverage of and engagement with the early modern period.

Mamigonian: The authors in the series include scholars from the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Armenia — is there a conscious effort to enlist authors from around the world or is this just the way things have worked out?

Der Matossian: You are right that there is a conscious effort to enlist scholars from around the globe. I put a great deal of effort into reaching out to scholars in different parts of the world and encouraging them to think of the series as a potential home for their projects. I am always looking for interesting and exciting projects that do not necessarily adhere to traditional ways of thinking about the field. I am doing my best to think outside the box and to create space for fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.

Mamigonian: Are there any other series of this kind in English?

Der Matossian: Yes, there are several comparable series in the United States. However, in terms of diversity, scholarly quality, and publication pace, this stands out as one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing series. The series maintains a strong commitment to publishing rigorous, high-quality scholarship while bringing together diverse perspectives, topics, and authors. Its careful editorial and peer-review process further strengthens the quality and credibility of the published volumes.

The average publication timeline is approximately two years, although this can vary depending on the author’s progress and the time required to complete and respond to the review process. Overall, the series combines a relatively efficient publication schedule with high scholarly and editorial standards, making it an attractive venue for authors seeking both quality and timely publication.

Mamigonian: To conclude, Bedross, after several years editing this series, do you have suggestions for other scholars who might be seeking to start different Armenian-related publication series?

Der Matossian: One key lesson I have learned is that a successful publication series requires a clear intellectual vision, a strong scholarly community, and stable financial support. Before launching a new series, scholars should carefully consider existing gaps in the field and determine how their series can address them while avoiding unnecessary redundancy.

Building a broad and diverse network of contributors, reviewers, editors, and institutional partners is equally vital. Given that Armenian Studies is naturally interdisciplinary and international, a publication series benefits greatly from involving scholars across different fields, generations, institutions, and countries around the world. I particularly recommend that editors create opportunities for emerging scholars while maintaining high academic standards. I also make a particular effort to encourage the publication of edited volumes on a range of topics that fall within the themes and chronological scope of the series. Such volumes can foster scholarship by bringing different scholars into conversation with one another around a common subject and encouraging new perspectives and approaches.

Another important lesson is to be realistic about the practical side of publishing. Serving as the editor of a series is not an easy task. I receive neither a stipend nor a salary for this work; I do it because I believe in enriching and expanding the field. A series editor must also be very patient when working with authors. Not all authors are alike, and editors inevitably encounter obstacles that require patience, flexibility, and diplomacy in order to bring a project to completion. Much of the work takes place behind the scenes, and successfully guiding a manuscript from its initial stages to publication can require considerable time and persistence.

Finally, I advise scholars to view a publication series as more than simply a platform for producing books or articles. Ideally, a series should foster intellectual conversations, connect scholars who might otherwise remain disconnected, and introduce Armenian Studies to new questions, methods, and audiences. Keeping this broader purpose in mind can help sustain a publication series—and those responsible for it—through the unavoidable challenges of editing and publishing.