WAYWORDS
This quarterly literary journal welcomes work from writers around the world in all stages of their writing career. Each issue explores a different theme in fiction and poetry and includes a separate space for creative nonfiction tributes.
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We want to see fresh, inspiring pieces; give us chills, fill us with awe. Show us all sides: your home is here.
Please try to refrain from sending us abuse and suicide topics.
Recovery pieces are welcome!
WayWords Masthead:
Réven Widener, Seth Cupery, Sofie Leggett, & Cassell Presnell
Read our interview on Six Questions For...!
OPEN CALL through February 20

Issue 18: Kids Write!
Editors' tip: create something new and have fun!
Special information for parents:
For this issue, writers are required to include their age in their Title Information (below). Pieces will be sorted into age-range groups and editors will choose pieces from each group. Editors do not have access to identifying information.
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The following are okay:
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minors may use their parents' email or Duotrope/suma account to send their work
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submissions may include two email addresses for dual-contact
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parents may gently assist minors in the creation and formatting of their submission
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parents may submit minors' work on their behalf
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parents may contact us with questions
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teachers are encouraged to share this call with students or make this call an active part of a lesson plan
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Submissions
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Submissions must be in English and include the required Title Information (below).
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Limits:
up to 5,000 words of fiction
two poems up to 15 lines each
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Formatting:
Keep formatting professional, please: readable font, empty lines for scene breaks, empty margins, etc. You can find recommended settings on the Submissions page.
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Title Information
Please add the following to the top left of your document body (not in the header margin):
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Name or Pseudonym, email, AGE
Piece Title
WayWords
Word or Line Count
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If your submission was previously published, please credit your publisher below your word/line count.
If submitting multiple poems in one document, please list all titles on the second line in your Title Information. Adding Title Information to each piece is appreciated but not necessary.
Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .odt
Submissions accepted via email (submissions [at] writersworkout.net) OR Dropbox OR Duosuma.
Live, unlocked Google Docs or Microsoft Word links are accepted via email.
We must be able to download your file. We will not request access and we are not responsible for locked docs.
The Writer's Workout will not review fanfiction, religious, political, erotic, or AI-generated content.
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Rights
​The Writer's Workout requests one-time, non-exclusive serial rights with worldwide distribution. We will not retain the right to republish the work in an additional collection.
We accept simultaneous submissions, previously published works, and you retain the right to submit your work elsewhere after we publish it.
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AI Statement
Works published by The Writer's Workout are for entertainment purposes. These publications should not be used in whole or part for content mills, reproduced without written approval, or for training Artificial Intelligence. Humans work very hard to produce the creative works featured in our publications; they deserve our respect.
If you need to withdraw, please let us know.
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This literary journal is published in digital and print. Contributors receive a digital contributor copy. The Writer's Workout is a registered nonprofit organization run by volunteers.
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Issue 16: Flash Fiction
Released!
This issue is available in digital and print. See below for links.

Issue 17: Kindness
in edits
We contacted all submitters by Jan 16.

Issue 18: Kids Write!
OPEN CALL!
January 1 - February 20
Must be under 18 to submit

Recently published:
Issue 16: Flash Fiction
This issue features the collected works of Juliette Beauchamp, Anthony Boulanger, Steve Brady, Emily Brown, Peter C. Conrad, Brianne Ritchie Córdova, Sarah Das Gupta, Doug Hawley, Shera Hill, Shirlee Jellum, Carella Keil, Cheryl King, Anne-Marie Kofoed, K. L. Mill, Caleb Mora, Mario Moussa, James B. Nicola, Bud Pharo, M.R. Lehman Wiens, and Lynda Wilde
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Stats and Info:
Published 400+ pieces & counting!
On average, WayWords publishes 42% of submissions received. This journal rarely solicits specific authors for work; everything we publish comes from open calls.
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Each issue is open to themed fiction and poetry as well as creative nonfiction tributes. Find tribute section information here.
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​Submission to WayWords will always be free. WayWords is published in digital and print; contributors receive a digital contributor copy. Learn how to claim your authorship on Amazon here.
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Check our FAQ for more information.
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WayWords is published in digital and print.
Contributors receive a digital contributor copy.
The Writer's Workout is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by volunteers.
Your submission is a charitable donation; we appreciate your support!
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