elementia is a literary arts magazine published by the Johnson County Library to represent and uplift young adults. Submissions must be original work. We welcome simultaneous submissions (things that you're sending elsewhere for consideration) and pieces that have been previously published (as long as you hold the publication rights).
Issue XXII Theme: Humanity
Across generations, distances and cultures, our humanity connects us. Despite this seemingly infinite connection, however, one of the most fundamental parts of being human is being unique. This dichotomy is at the crux of the human experience and something we have all shared. Tell us your stories: those of your unique human experience. Share with us the joys and pains that have been a part of your humanity. Speak on your relationships: those with family, friends, significant others. When have you felt most connected to other humans? Most distant? What makes you feel close to your own humanity? Tell us about the times you felt less than human, and when others convinced you that you were. Has humanity changed? Or will it? We seek expressions of your culture, traditions, mannerisms. Share your innermost thoughts and your outermost traits. What makes you unique? What makes you human?
We are looking for teens to join our design committee for our 22nd issue. Applicants should be 14-19 and able to make meetings both virtually and in person at Johnson County Library locations. Committee members receive volunteer hours for all work.
If you are interested in joining our team, please complete this short interest form and we will invite you to apply and provide more details about the schedule and obligation in the Fall.
Poetry, Short Story and Essay Submission Guidelines There aren't any word count limitations, but we encourage submitters to pick their best excerpts from pieces that are too long for publication in a magazine. Each piece of writing or art should be submitted as an individual entry, but there is no limit to the number of pieces you can submit. Please send us your most final draft, as our editing stage only allows for minimal adjustments.
Looking for feedback on your writing? Use your Johnson County Library card to access the Writing Lab from Brainfuse HelpNow!
Poetry, Short Story and Essay Submission Guidelines There aren't any word count limitations, but we encourage submitters to pick their best excerpts from pieces that are too long for publication in a magazine. Each piece of writing or art should be submitted as an individual entry, but there is no limit to the number of pieces you can submit. Please send us your most final draft, as our editing stage only allows for minimal adjustments.
Looking for feedback on your writing? Use your Johnson County Library card to access the Writing Lab from Brainfuse HelpNow!
Art Guidelines Please submit the highest resolution image you can, if we accept your piece for publication we will need a 300dpi image for printing purposes. If you don't have the ability to submit a high resolution image, submit what you have and if accepted for publication, we may reach out to you and help scan a higher resolution version. Visual art submissions will be treated as graphics may be subject to alteration (including, but not limited to: cropping, flipping, and other changes).