Issue I: Sustainability

Submissions are open throughout July and August.
Check out the requirements and guidelines below!

The Theme

For Koru’s inaugural issue, our theme is sustainability. Why is it important for our actions to not only be eco-friendly, but viable in the long run? What makes our natural resources so valuable? How can we lead lifestyles and create innovations that will shape a better world for future generations to live in? What events in your life have made you realize the importance of living eco-consciously? These are just some of the directions that you may choose to take the theme in. Your work can be as concretely or loosely related to sustainability as you like, but we want to see your voice shine through!

In each issue, the three best pieces that relate to our theme will be featured. You are welcome to submit work on other topics, but only works relating the theme will be considered for features.

Requirements

  • Writers/creators should be in middle school, high school, or university. Submissions from older/younger individuals may be considered, though we prioritize that age group.

  • Prose: 1-3 pieces total, each 500 to 2000 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: 1-3 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.

  • 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. Sources should be listed in MLA format.

  • 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 free feedback from an editor within 3 to 10 days (varies by circumstance). If accepted, you will receive 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). After publication in Koru, you may submit your work wherever you like.

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 of teenagers passionate about raising environmental awareness. Your work will be read all over the world and maybe even inspire someone else! Pieces that cover the issue’s theme will also have the opportunity to be featured on our front page.

  • 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 3 to 10 business days, and we will notify you regardless of if your work is accepted or rejected. You can email us after 14 days if you haven’t heard back from us.

  • It’s simple – create a piece that relates to the issue’s theme, and you’ll be automatically considered for the feature! Three outstanding pieces from each issue will be selected to be featured and recognized on our homepage. If you’re not sure if your work is eligible, please reach out to be sure it’s considered.

  • Not necessarily! We will be publishing pieces that both relate and don’t relate to the theme (the theme for our first issue is sustainability). If your work does not relate to the theme, you will not be disadvantaged in any way. However, only pieces that relate to the theme are eligible to be featured.

  • 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?