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WAYWORDS TRIBUTES
This quarterly literary journal welcomes work from writers around the world in all stages of their writing career. Each issue includes a separate space for writers to share tributes in creative nonfiction.
If you have a tribute essay, open letter, or other CNF piece, send it in! Let us help you honor that subject.
Please try to refrain from sending us abuse and suicide topics.
Recovery pieces are welcome!
OPEN through November 20, 2026
Tributes are separate from the theme; they can be for, to, or about anything you want. We've published odes, open letters, personal essays, recipe stories and other creative nonfiction styles in this section since WayWords opened in 2020.
Submissions Guidelines
Submissions must be in English. Send each piece in a separate file.
Limits:
up to 5,000 words of fiction
two poems up to 15 lines each
Formatting
No identifying info inside your file
Include your piece title at top of your doc
Include "TRIBUTE" in all caps below your title
If previously published, include credit below your title
TNR or Arial, 10/12, single spaced
Indent paragraphs
Empty margins on all sides
Empty line for scene breaks
How To Submit
File name: Piece Title - WayWords TRIBUTE
Each piece in a separate file
Submissions accepted by email or Duosuma
submissions [at] writersworkout.net
Include your piece title and WayWords in your subject
Include your name/pseudonym and short bio in the body of your email
Attach your file in .doc/x or .odt OR paste the live, unlocked link to your GDoc or Word file
We must be able to download your file. We will not request access and we are not responsible for locked files.
You can find these settings on the Submissions page.
If using Duosuma, please use the special "Tribute" call.
The Writer's Workout will not review fanfiction, religious, political, erotic, or AI-generated/assisted/copied content.
Rights
The Writer's Workout requests one-time, non-exclusive serial rights with worldwide distribution. We will not retain rights to republish your 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.
AI Statement
AI-generated content is theft. We do not accept anything generated in whole or part by AI.
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.
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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Since 2020
WayWords Masthead:
Raegan Cole, Seth Cupery, Christina Ellison, Susan Kier, Jessica Morris-Reade, Michael Parker, Jr., Cassell Presnell, & Brittany Smith
Readers: Elle Alahmar, Kit Lloyd, Jennifer Martin, Amelia Napiorkowski, Rebecca Sharp, Jules Tobias, Andrea Tode, Loren Whitmore, & Jesse Wooton
Issue Info
Check the status of recent, current, and upcoming issues.
Issue 22: Habits
Released!
This issue is available in digital and print. See below for links.
Issue 23: Time
in review
April 1 - May 20
Issue 24: Joy
July 1 - August 20
Issue 25: City
October 1 - November20
Recently published:
Issue 22: Habits
Featuring the collected works of Sarina Alvey, Bianca Ambrosino, Abraham Aondoana, Praise (Okunade) Ayowole, Khayelihle Rose Benghu, William Cass, Simon Collinson, Bowie Dake, John Delaney, Laurie Didesch, Arvilla Fee, Mark Henderson, Katelynn Humbles, Tonia Kalouria, Benjamin Karren, Anna Kenworthy, Lily Ann Miller, Jessica Morris-Reade, Charlotte B Olson, Sydney Salter, Christopher Stolle, Jules Tobias, Filiz Turhan, Anna Woodruff, and Tomas Zandir
Stats and Info:
Published 450+ pieces & counting!
On average, WayWords publishes 25% of submissions received. This journal rarely solicits specific authors for work; everything we publish comes from open calls. We accept unagented submissions.
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.
Check our FAQ for more information.
WayWords is published in digital and print.
Contributors receive a digital contributor copy.
Starting with issue 17 (kindness), WayWords is available at EBSCOhost.
Find out what this means here.
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!