The Mukoli Contest 2025: A Clear Guide for Writers and Artists Ready to Submit
Introduction
Every year, a few contests arrive that feel less like competitions and more like invitations. Mukoli is one of them. The Magazine for Peace is officially open for submissions for its 2025 contest cycle, and if you’ve been looking for a place that genuinely values creative expression across genres, this is a call worth paying attention to.
Even better, Mukoli charges no submission fee, making it one of the most accessible contests available to both emerging and experienced creators.
If you’re considering entering, here’s everything you need to know — from deadlines to category rules — so you can focus on creating your strongest work.
What Mukoli Is Looking For
Mukoli accepts work in four categories:
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Multimedia Art
Each category awards:
- 1st Place: $100 + Publication
- 2nd–5th Place: Publication
For many creators, publication in a respected international magazine like Mukoli is just as valuable as the prize money.
Contest Timeline
- Submissions Open: October 1, 2025
- Submissions Close: November 15, 2025
- Winners Notified: January 2026
Eligibility Requirements
The contest is open to:
- Writers and artists 18 years or older
- Entrants from any country
- Past contributors to the magazine
International entrants must have a bank account capable of receiving wire transfers, as required by Kennesaw State University’s payment process.
Mukoli also has a firm rule: No AI-generated or AI-assisted work.
They want your human voice, your point of view, and your originality.
Submission Rules
To keep judging fair and consistent:
- Submit only original, unpublished work.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but notify Mukoli if accepted elsewhere.
- You may submit to only one category in this contest cycle.
- Remove your name and identifying details from the document and file name — the contest is judged blindly.
- Only the specified file types are accepted; incorrect formats lead to disqualification.
Category Guidelines
Poetry
- Submit 3–5 poems in one document
- No word or line limits
- Accepted formats: .doc, .docx
- No PDFs
- All poems are considered one submission
Fiction
- Up to 3 stories, maximum 10,000 words total
- Flash fiction is welcome
- One document only
- Accepted formats: .doc, .docx
- If any story is accepted elsewhere, you must withdraw the full entry
Nonfiction
- One creative nonfiction piece up to 5,000 words
- Accepted formats: .doc, .docx
- Must be free of identifying information
Multimedia Art
This is Mukoli’s most experimental and flexible category. Accepted submissions include:
- Short films, video essays, cinepoetry (up to 10 minutes; avi, mp4, mov)
- Photography, illustrations, digital art (up to 10 related pieces; jpg, jpeg, png)
- Comics or graphic narratives (up to 10 pages)
- Sound poetry, spoken word, audio storytelling (up to 10 minutes; mp3, wav, mp4)
All pieces in this category must form a cohesive narrative thread and be submitted together.
Why Mukoli Matters
Mukoli stands out for several reasons:
- No submission fees, making it accessible
- Blind judging, ensuring fairness
- Clear rules that respect creators’ time
- A wide embrace of modern storytelling, from poetry to digital art
- A global readership, offering meaningful visibility
Many creators appreciate the balance Mukoli strikes between tradition and innovation. It honors the craft of writing while welcoming new forms of multimedia expression.
Tips for a Strong Submission
To give yourself the best chance:
- Choose your category intentionally
- Read past issues to understand tone and style
- Submit polished, revised work
- For poetry or fiction, curate pieces that show range and cohesion
- For multimedia, choose work with emotional or narrative depth
- Follow every rule and file requirement exactly
Sometimes the smallest technical mistake can disqualify an otherwise excellent entry.
How to Submit
Visit the Mukoli website and navigate to the contest submission portal.
Your personal information will be collected separately from your uploaded file to preserve anonymity.
For questions, clarifications, or format concerns, email:
editorial@mukoli.net
Conclusion
The Mukoli Contest is one of the most creator-friendly opportunities available today. Whether you write stories, craft poems, explore nonfiction, or build multimedia projects, this contest provides a fair, accessible, and inspiring space to showcase your work.
Take your time, refine your material, and send in something that represents your voice boldly. Your next publication — or your first major contest win — might begin here.
