The Writer's Workout

Be a better writer.

The Writer's Workout is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run entirely by human volunteers.

Hey there!

Welcome to The Writer's Workout. Whether you're new to the craft, coming back after time away, or a seasoned professional, we can help you be a better writer.

OPEN CALL:

Writer's Games Registration IS OPEN!

Learn how it works in the Writer's Games tab.

Tales from the Archives is OPEN through Sept 15. The Tales page has all the important info.

Tales from the Unknown is available in digital and print!

Check the Tales page for cover, Pushcart Nominees, and links.

We hit NUMBER ONE in New Releases for the second year in a row.

Fiction Potluck is OPEN for "body snatchers" through May 15.

Read more about this quarter's guest judge, Elmira Olson, and check out her advice.

Read about the finalists on June 6.

Join us for Fiction Potluck Friday on June 19.

WayWords is OPEN for themes of "time" through May 20.

Issue 22, Habits, is published in digital and print!

CLOSED:

Magicfest is CLOSED.

The Events have concluded and we're finishing the editorial notes. Our next step is to reach out to winners so they can revise. Then we publish!

Around WW:

Our focal topic in May discusses queries and cover letters to help you build a strong package for your novel. We're starting with Ida and some quick tips on May 7.

Neurodivergent writers might find clarity (and tips!!) in Karen's Craft & Chaos series, available in the resources tab.

Welcome back, Indie Author Spotlight! Contact us to be featured.

2026 CONFERENCE is over but you can still watch all the videos.

Past playlists are still available.

Want to present in 2027? Here's the form!

Join us on Discord for write-ins, chats, and fun times.

Find quick access to announcements from any page through the pinned note at the top.

Happy writing!

—Theresa

On the Blog:

Brian Lockwood - First Place, Magicfest 2026

We interviewed the Magicfest First Place Overall winner, Brian Lockwood! WW: What encouraged you to participate in Magicfest? BL: I submitted pieces for the Writer's Games in two different years. I enjoyed the challenge, but weekends are a difficult time for me to find time to write. All-day or out-of-town plans can develop fast, and I didn't want to abandon premium family time for the sake of the Games. When Magicfest was announced as a competition that took place during the

The Writer's Workout

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and Goodreads.

Recent Releases:

Tales from the Unknown

issue 22

vol 13

Learn more about our publications here.

Looking for the 2024 & 2025 Conference videos?

Find all the videos and presenter information on the conference page. Handouts are still available. Looking ahead: I'm slowly adding these past videos to different sections in the Resources tab.

Back to Basics

Check out the latest Back to Basics course here.

Back to Basics is a free mini-course open worldwide. Join us on Discord or use #WWB2B on social media.

Back to Basics: Embracing Revision

For this Back to Basics mini-course, we’re trying to embrace revisions— as a process . Let’s look at the basics. Getting a first draft of anything done, be it an essay, a novel, or anything in between, is grueling. Something special happens when you complete a draft: it gives you an almost indescribable feeling of joy . Sometimes we’re so proud of what we made that it can be hard to find any fault with it. But even if you think your first draft is perfect, it can never hurt t

Izhan Arif