WayWords

a quarterly literary journal

Welcome to WayWords!

We designed this literary journal to welcome the self-willed writers who dare to break the mold. With so many varied options for writers around the world, The Writer's Workout wants this literary journal to inspire fresh ideas for pieces new and old with our chosen themes and tributes at the heart. We're excited to publish first-time writers, seasoned authors, and everything in between. WayWords welcomes everyone using words as a way forward in unconventional, unpredictable writing. 

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Show your support with our full line of WayWords merchandise on TeeSpring!

teespring.com/stores/the-writers-workout

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Each issue of WayWords includes two separate sections. The Theme section houses most of the submitted stories and poems while the separate Tribute section is limited to a few pieces from writers with first-hand knowledge of the topic. 

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Themes

Each issue centers around a one-word theme to inspire your story or poem and provide some direction. You may look at past issues to explore how some of our writers tackled the themes. WayWords welcomes fresh writing as well as pieces you may have submitted elsewhere, provided the piece was not previously published and fits the central theme of the issue.

Coming soon: we'll post the full list of themes and tributes for the whole year. You're welcome to begin your entries at any time but please stick to the submission window (listed below) to help improve the selection process.

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Tributes

Each issue includes a small tribute section to highlight people whose amazing work goes unnoticed. We encourage pieces from everyone and anyone, even if this submission is your first time writing. The Tribute section is where you can share your creative nonfiction involving whichever topic we're highlighting. Regardless of the tribute topic, we want to provide a platform and creative outlet for your voice, while celebrating your passion at the same time. 

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What are we looking for? 

We know what we're looking for when we read it. Mostly, we want to see dynamic storytelling and unique ideas. If you're still debating submitting to WayWords, here are some things to keep in mind: we publish fiction and poetry. You may submit a single short story up to 5,000 words or two poems for any issue. 

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We don’t want to publish the same thing twice so if you have a piece off the beaten path, send it to us! Check out past issues to see if we’ve published something like your piece before. We seek fresh, inspiring pieces that leave us with chills, emotions, and in awe. 

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If your characters are unusual, your settings unfamiliar, and your plots experimental, this is the place for you. Unusual can be in the small quirks and details of your writing or in the core of the piece itself. If you think you have what we're looking for, even a small amount, send us your submission. 

Please understand: due to licensing restrictions, The Writer's Workout cannot accept religious or political topics. Editors will refuse pandemic topics and erotica.

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Rights

Rights information is crucial no matter where you send your work!

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WayWords accepts previously unpublished short stories and poetry. We do not require the right to first refusal so if your piece was declined elsewhere, we'd love to see it! If accepted, your piece will be published in that issue of WayWords. The Writer's Workout will not retain publication rights for future issues or compilations so once the issue is live, you're welcome to send your piece elsewhere. Keep in mind many places will not accept previously published works. 

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If you submit a piece elsewhere that we've published in WayWords, be sure to let them know! Provide them with the issue number and any other supporting information they request. Remember the rights to a WayWords story are yours, following issue publication.

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Contributors to WayWords receive a contributor copy of the issue with their published piece. For now, this literary journal is a digital publication.

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Submissions & Formatting

Entries must meet the following general formatting requirements:

Arial or Times New Roman, size 10 or 12pt, black text only

Single spaced

No extra spaces between paragraphs except for scene breaks.

1" empty margins on all four sides

0.5" (12.7mm) or Tab indentations for all paragraphs

Do not use the spacebar for indentations

Empty line for scene breaks

Do not include a secondary title of your entry.

Tip: The Writer's Workout uses industry standard formatting; it's designed to let the work shine without extra flourishes and unnecessary efforts. You can find great examples of industry standard formatting in a traditionally published book.

Keep things simple!

Entries must include the proper Title Information at the start of the document, aligned left:

Name

Title of Entry

Theme or Tribute, Issue Number

Word Count

Entries not meeting the general formatting requirements will not be considered. Entries not including Title Information in the order listed above will not be considered. Entries must be in English. 

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​You may submit one short story up to 5,000 words or two poems per issue.

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The Writer's Workout accepts these file types: .doc, .docx, .odt

Email entries to  OR use our DropBox button above.

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Show your support with our full line of WayWords merchandise on TeeSpring! From tee shirts to hoodies, mugs, totes, and masks, even your small pooch can help encourage you in your WayWords journey.

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teespring.com/stores/the-writers-workout

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