November 2023: Flora

Submissions are NOW CLOSED.
Check out the requirements and guidelines below!

Submissions Now Closed

Submissions Now Closed

We are running a 24 hour response period from December 1, 12:00 AM EST, to December 7, 11:59 PM EST.

Visit this page to learn more about the event and how to submit your pieces!

The Theme

For Koru’s November issue, our theme is flora. Spill your thoughts on flowers – what do they represent? What do they remind you of? Why are they so alluring? Your work can be as concretely or loosely related to the theme as you like, but we want to see your voice shine through!

In each issue, the three best pieces that will be chosen as editor’s picks and featured at the beginning of the magazine.

Requirements

  • Writers/creators should be in middle school, high school, or university. Submissions from older/younger individuals may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Prose: 1-3 pieces total, each 500 to 1000 words in length. Can be any combination of fiction and nonfiction.

    • Fiction: Short story, flash fiction, personal memoir, creative nonfiction, etc.

    • Nonfiction: Journalistic, op-ed, persuasive essay, art/media review, etc.

  • Poetry: 1-5 pieces. Free-verse, haiku, narrative poetry, prose-poetry, erasure, etc.

  • Artwork: 1-5 pieces. Drawing & illustration, collage, film & animation, painting, sculpture, cartoon, mixed media, digital art, etc.

  • Photography: 1-5 pieces. Can be any subject. Nature, wildlife, scenery, portrait, etc.

All submissions must adhere to the guidelines outlined below.

Submission Guidelines

  • All submissions must be submitted through the appropriate Google form. Please do not email us your work unless you have questions about its eligibility!

  • Please turn in one submission form for all pieces in each category (Writing/Poetry/Artwork/Photography) you would like to submit to. For visual artwork that is meant to accompany a particular written piece, please submit them through their respective forms and write in additional notes section which pieces are meant to go together. *For the 24-hour response period, submit pieces through the form linked on this page.

  • About the Author/Artist: Write a 100-word or less bio about yourself in the third person. Include your interests, grade level, and past recognitions/experiences with writing and artwork! This will be displayed alongside your work if selected for publication.

  • Work that demonstrates unique and compelling perspectives, strong voice, technical skill, and is free of obvious mechanical errors will be prioritized in publication. Make sure you are turning in your best work!

  • Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us via email immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

  • Koru Magazine does not accept work that is copied or plagiarized from other sources in any way. If you refer to other sources to create your submission, you must cite them within your submission or in the submission form.

  • Though we appreciate and embrace diverse perspectives at Koru, we do not condone any form of disrespect or hate. Submissions with any sort of discriminatory content will not be considered for publication.

  • After you submit your work, you will receive a decision email from us in the next 2 weeks or so. If accepted, you will receive feedback from our editors, as well as further instructions for incorporating our feedback before publication. If not, don’t worry – you can always submit again next month! For accepted works, Koru requests first North American serial rights (if not previously published).

  • If your work is not accepted, but you would still like feedback on it, please email us at korumagazine@gmail.com and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We know it can be hard for young environmentalists to make their voices heard. By submitting your work to Koru Magazine, you will have the chance to be published in our online magazine, be credited with a byline, and join an international community passionate about raising environmental awareness. Your work will be read all over the world and maybe even inspire someone else! Pieces will also have the opportunity to be selected as editor’s picks and recognized in each issue.

  • All submissions will be first reviewed by an editor, who may then provide feedback if we wish to publish your piece. We try to respond within 2 weeks, and we will notify you regardless of if your work is accepted or rejected. You can email us after 1days if you haven’t heard back from us.

  • It’s simple – submit to us, and you’ll be automatically considered for the editor’s picks! Three outstanding pieces from each issue will be selected to be featured and recognized at the beginning of each issue. These pieces demonstrate exceptional voice, creativity, and talent, with messages worth hearing.

  • Not necessarily! We will be publishing pieces that both relate and don’t relate to the theme of the issue. If your work does not relate to the theme, you will not be disadvantaged in any way.

  • Maybe. Koru prioritizes work that has not yet been published, but we will consider previously published works. If your work has been published elsewhere, make sure you have permission to send it to us (i.e. if it was published as an exclusive, it is unfortunately ineligible for submission at Koru). If you aren’t sure if your work is eligible, please reach out to us at any time.

We’re thankful for your interest! You can send us a message via our contact page or email us directly at korumagazine@gmail.com. You can also reach us through Instagram.

Still have questions?