Profiles

In the world of academic publishing, creativity often takes a back seat to research and analysis. Yet, many academics harbor a love for fiction writing—stories that illuminate, challenge, and engage in ways that academic papers cannot. Enter AcademFic, an open access journal that bridges this gap.

Created and managed by Butler University professor James McGrath, a scholar in religious studies, AcademFic fills a unique gap in the literary world. The journal offers a dedicated space for scholars outside of creative writing fields to share their fiction. AcademFic features stories that are philosophical, historical, and often experimental—narratives that explore ideas academics wrestle with in their research and teaching. As McGrath describes it, AcademFic is a home for fiction that other literary journals may overlook:

“Often our stories are a bit more philosophical, more niche in their historical setting, or simply longer or shorter than what those venues are interested in... Creating a space focused on giving us an outlet for our storytelling has clearly provided something that academics want.”

Publishing Fiction with Purpose

For McGrath, writing fiction is both a passion and an extension of his academic work. Having explored religious themes in his books like What Jesus Learned from Women and Theology and Science Fiction, he recognized that storytelling offers a powerful way to engage readers intellectually. And some stories, like Galen Pickett’s Crossroads (a personal favorite for McGrath), cleverly blend academic humor with familiar tropes, resulting in narratives designed to be both smart and entertaining.

“For some scholars, this is a chance to explore the subjects we research and teach in a different way. For others it is a hobby that provides a chance to do something radically unrelated to the focus of the author’s work,” McGrath says. 

Josh Petrusa, Butler's Dean of Libraries, sees the journal as a testament to McGrath’s diverse interests and the evolving role of academic publishing:

“James is a professor who has long appreciated Butler Libraries’ open access efforts to disseminate his religious studies scholarship, but he’s also a professor with a wide diversity of interests outside his main field. We love that he’s combined those two strands of his professional life into this new journal on PALNI’s Open Press.”

Why Open Access Matters

Partnering with the PALNI Open Press to publish AcademFic as an open access journal was an intentional choice, McGrath says. Open access ensures that anyone—students, researchers, and readers worldwide—can enjoy the work without cost barriers. As McGrath explains:

“It provides students with a resource that does not burden them with the cost of purchasing it, and that in itself is important. But the potential to integrate media components with text means that the PALNI Open Press is at the cutting edge of publications becoming something they never have before.”

This accessibility is more than a practical benefit; it reflects a broader commitment to sharing knowledge and creativity widely. PALNI, as McGrath notes, supports peer review and high publishing standards within their policies and eligibility criteria, ensuring that open access does not mean a compromise in quality.

“The PALNI Open Press empowers individuals from PALNI schools with the systems, services, and expertise needed to publish openly,” says Amanda Hurford, Scholarly Communications Director at PALNI. “James’s innovative approach to AcademFic highlights the evolving landscape of publishing and demonstrates how libraries can play a pivotal role in meeting these changing needs.”

Looking to the Future

As AcademFic continues to grow, McGrath recognizes possibilities for innovation. Whether it’s integrating multimedia elements or exploring new storytelling formats, the open access platform offered by PALNI provides the flexibility to adapt and experiment. 

“I don’t know whether AcademFic will venture in that direction, with stories that integrate other media in combination with the written word, but we are open to exploring and thanks to PALNI’s approach to publishing, we have the possibility of doing so,” he says.

McGrath hopes that more academics will consider open access publishing through PALNI—not just for their students, but for the wider academic community.

“If you do, your students will definitely be grateful, but hopefully thanks to PALNI’s efforts in this area, so too will your department chair, dean, and other colleagues!”

Discover thought-provoking fiction in the latest issue of AcademFic. You can also explore other open publications by visiting the PALNI Open Press catalog. 

Return to PALNI Open Press profiles.