FAQs

Welcome to our FAQ section! Here, we’ve compiled answers to common questions about submitting to our journal. If you have a question that isn’t addressed here or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re happy to help! You can contact us at PhysiOdyssey@glasgow.ac.uk.

About the journal

What is Human Physiology?

Physiology is the science of life. It examines how living organisms function, focusing on the biological processes and mechanisms that sustain life. This includes everything from how cells communicate to how organs operate and how the body responds to different environments. By studying how the body’s systems function and interact, human physiology helps us understand how our bodies stay healthy and how they respond to challenges. It also plays a key role in discovering what happens during illness, leading to new treatments and approaches to maintaining health.

What makes human physiology special is its focus on connecting how different parts of the body work together, from the cellular level to the whole body.

For our journal, we embrace physiology both as a scientific discipline and as a creative theme. This means you can explore its intricacies through fact-based writing or use it as an inspiration for imaginative storytelling. Whether you’re exploring cellular biology or crafting a creative reflection on the human body and its functions, we welcome both scientific accuracy and artistic interpretation.

 

Who Can Submit

Who can submit to the journal?

We welcome submissions from students, recent graduates, and emerging writers from all disciplines—whether you have a background in science, the arts, or both! As long as your piece relates to human physiology, we’d love to read it.

I am a creative writer but I don't know any science. Can I get help?

Absolutely! We encourage creative writers from all backgrounds to submit, even if you don’t have a strong scientific foundation.

If you’re unsure whether your idea fits the theme of human physiology, feel free to reach out to us with a quick description of your concept. We’re happy to provide guidance on its suitability and help you shape your idea into something aligned with our theme.

If your piece is accepted, our editorial team may get in touch to discuss minor edits. We might also suggest adding an editor’s note to complement your work, ensuring it aligns with the journal’s scientific focus while preserving your creative vision.

We’re here to support you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!

 

Submission Guidelines

Is there a submission fee?

No, submitting to the journal is free. We aim to make this platform accessible to all writers.

How many pieces can I submit per issue?

We welcome up to 3 submissions per contributor per issue. These can be in any format—writing, artwork, or a mix of both. This limit helps us give each piece the time and attention it deserves during review. 

I’m a Student. Can I Submit My Coursework?

Yes, you can submit your coursework, provided it aligns with the theme of human physiology and meets our submission guidelines.

We recommend submitting coursework only after it has been marked and your course or module is complete. This helps avoid any potential conflicts with your institution’s policies on academic integrity or prior submission. Additionally, it’s a good idea to check with your course leaders or supervisors to ensure submitting your work for publication is permitted. Also, make sure your coursework hasn’t been published elsewhere and that you have the right to submit it for publication.

Feel free to adapt or refine your coursework to better suit the creative nature of our journal. This might involve expanding on ideas, adding creative elements, or reworking it for a general audience. The goal is to make it a standalone creative work that fits within our submission categories, such as a short story, essay, or poem, and adheres to our word limits. Before submitting, take the time to carefully proofread and format your work to align with our guidelines.

Your coursework could be a great starting point for a submission, and we encourage students to use this opportunity to showcase both academic and creative skills. If you’re unsure about the suitability of your work, please contact us with your questions—we’re here to help!

Q: Can I submit artwork? What if I have a series of related pieces?
A: Yes, we’re very happy to receive artwork submissions! If you’re submitting a series of images that clearly belong together thematically or stylistically, you may submit them as a single submission.

We don’t have a strict limit on the number of pieces in a series, but as a general guideline, 3 to 5 images is a manageable range. If you’re unsure whether your series counts as one submission, feel free to include a brief explanation when you send it in.

 

The Submission Process

When will I hear back about my submission?

We’re a small, volunteer-run journal, and as we’re still developing our review and editorial workflow,  so it may take several weeks before you receive a decision. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Rest assured, all contributors will receive an email update once a decision has been made. As we grow, we hope to offer more definite timelines in future issues.

Will I receive feedback on my submission?

Due to the volume of submissions, we are currently unable to provide feedback on submissions.  

What kind of decision might I receive on my submission?

A: Submissions will typically receive one of the following decisions:

• Accept – Your piece has been selected for publication as-is or with minor edits.

• Accept with revisions – We’d love to include your work, but we’ll ask for some changes first. We’ll provide guidance to help with the revisions.

• Reject – Unfortunately, the piece isn’t the right fit for this issue. This doesn’t reflect on the quality of your work, and we encourage you to consider submitting again in the future.

I received a rejection—can I ask for feedback?

We really appreciate every submission we receive, but as a small, volunteer-run team, we unfortunately don’t have the capacity to provide individual feedback at this time.

The most common reason for rejection is that a piece doesn’t align with the theme, tone, or shape of the issue we’re building—not a reflection on its quality. We encourage you to consider submitting the work elsewhere, and we’d be glad to see other submissions from you in future issues.

The Publication Process

What happens if my piece is accepted with revisions?

If your work is accepted with revisions, a member of our editorial team will get in touch with specific suggestions. We understand that creative pieces are deeply personal, and you may not wish to revise your work—that’s completely valid. Our editors will approach all feedback with sensitivity and are open to discussion and collaboration.

However, please note that final inclusion in the issue depends on the revised piece being a good fit. If revisions can’t be completed in time for the current issue, we may offer to reconsider the piece for a future one—but this isn’t a guarantee of acceptance.

We’re here to support you in the process and appreciate your creative voice!

After Publication

Is this a professional publication?

Yes! Our journal is a professional publication, and every piece we publish will be assigned a DOI (Digital Object Identifier). A DOI is a permanent, unique identifier for your work, ensuring it is easily accessible and citable in academic and professional contexts.

Being published in our journal is also great for your CV. It demonstrates your ability to contribute to an interdisciplinary platform that values both scientific and creative excellence. Whether you’re applying for jobs, academic programs, or future writing opportunities, this publication will be a valuable addition to your professional portfolio.

Publishing with us not only helps share your ideas but also establishes you as a serious contributor to the intersection of creative writing and science.

Will I be paid if my work is published?

No, we are unable to offer payment. However, you will retain full copyright of your work and gain valuable exposure as part of our publication.

Will I be able to get a printed copy of the Journal?

Yes, a printed version of the journal will be available! We’re planning a small print run to complement the digital publication. Printed copies will be available on request. Once the journal is published, you’ll have the option to order a physical copy directly from us.

To cover production and printing costs, there will be a charge for printed copies. We’ll provide full details, including pricing and how to place an order, closer to the publication date.