Do you need some writing inspiration? Contests are a great way to spark your creativity, and you may even win a prize! Get your best work together and consider entering the WOW! quarterly flash fiction contest with guest judge Hannah Andrade, literary agent with Bradford Literary Agency. Stop by the contest page, download the pdf guidelines, and read all about Hannah’s preferences. The Winter Contest is open to all genres of fiction between 250 - 750 words. Only 300 stories are accepted, so enter early to ensure your spot in the contest. Over $1350 in cash prizes. Deadline: February 28, 2024. MORE >>

WOW! is proud to introduce our newest essay contest! Writers have been asking us to host an essay contest for many years, and we’ve finally listened. The mission of this essay contest is to inspire creative nonfiction and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. Your story must be true, but the way you tell it is your chance to get creative. We are open to all styles of essay—from personal essay to lyric essay to hybrid essay, and beyond! Word Count: 200 – 1,000 words. Only 300 essays are accepted, so enter early to ensure your spot in the contest. 1st Place: $500. Deadline: January 31, 2024. MORE >>

Whether you are looking to boost your income or work on your craft, we know that education is an important part of a writer’s career. That’s why WOW! handpicks qualified instructors and targeted classes that women writers will benefit from. Visit the classroom page and check out our current line up of workshops: creative nonfiction, personal essay, memoir, young adult, narrative structures, freelance editing, cozy mystery writing, screenwriting, playwriting, poetry, travel writing and more. MORE >>

Dedicated to short, bite-size fiction and poetry in the fantasy genre, Indie Bites enables indie authors to share each other’s work with their fan bases. This approach of collaborative indie marketing gives the stories’ outreach some teeth and helps the magazine in its core aim: to simply get our authors’ stories read. Join WOW columnist Rosie MacLeod as she interviws co-editors Josie Jaffrey and Adie Hart. MORE >>

Jennifer D. Lyle, author of Swarm, is joining the ranks of J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan, and James Dashner. If you love young adult novels, you will fall in love with Shur and her brothers and friends as they survive an attack from butterfly-like creatures that “swarm” the world, looking for prey. Jennifer writes refreshing realistic characters in this world she has created. She will be one to watch. MORE >>

In this month’s column, we double down on fun as we sit down with Editor Diane Gottlieb to discuss Emerge Literary Journal and ELJ Editions, an exciting small press dedicated to elevating emerging writers for more than ten years. Diane also edited the anthology, Awakenings: Stories of Body & Consciousness for ELJ Editions. MORE >>

How do you know when it's the right time to self-publish your book? Today, we address this complicated question with Sarah Kolb-Williams, lead editor of Spoonbridge Press. This publishing services company helps new and growing authors navigate the world of self-publishing. With fifteen years of editorial experience and a passion for helping independent authors thrive, Sarah delights in unlocking the fullest potential of every client’s manuscript. Along with project manager Britt Peterson, she supports authors through the intimidating process of self-publishing a book while giving them full creative and financial control over their publishing journeys. MORE >>

Sport Stories Press features stories about women in sports, particularly amateur women athletes. Join WOW in a lively conversation as Kelly Sgroi interviews Dr. Anne Greenawalt about what the press is looking for, including short 700-word pieces and full-length manuscripts, what makes a great sport story, and why it's important to tell women's sport stories. MORE >>

In this conversation, Cathleen Miller and Kate Evans, longtime friends and former colleagues at San Jose State University, talk about how they supported each other in writing their most recent books while living thousands of miles apart. MORE >>

By correctly following submission guidelines, you increase your chances of not only selling your writing to the market, but also having a potential market to submit work to again in the future. Freelance writer Dawn Coclasure shares her best tips. MORE >>

Today we welcome author Candi Sary, the author of the newly released and celebrated novel, Magdalena (Regal House Publishing, 2023), which earned a Chanticleer International Book Award (CIBA). Join Ashley Harris as she chats with Candi about her latest novel, persistence, magic, ghosts, and the character that disrupted her plans. MORE >>

In this month’s “On Submission” column, Rosie MacLeod interviews Laura Black, founding editor of Fictive Dream. The journal publishes short stories between 500 and 2,500 words. Find out what they’re looking for below, their behind-the-scenes submission process, and a fun flash fiction event they host every year. MORE >>

In the realm of creativity, the blank page can be both an alluring canvas and a daunting void. I know this struggle all too well. My own writing journey began in April 2021, and since then, I’ve embarked on a whirlwind adventure, penning three books in less than two years. The key to this feat? My unwavering habit of daily writing. By Smita Das Jain. MORE >>

Author Claudine Wolk shares three things she wish she knew before writing her first book: Give yourself a full year after you write your book to properly publish and market your book. Use your own name as a website name and learn as much as you can as soon as you can about book marketing so that you can use the time that you set aside—the year before you publish—to methodically execute your book marketing plan. MORE >>

Are you saddled with a stale writing project? Did the fire for your poem-in-progress flame out? Or maybe your short story fizzles more than it sizzles. Whatever your writing woes, it's time to pause and re-awaken your inner muse. Below are ten tips meant to help you refresh your writing life. By Ashley Harris MORE >>

When I'm in need of inspiration, I often look to author Sarah Freligh. I crave the exacting nature of her work, especially the way she can evoke a time, a place, or a mood with a minimum of fuss. Her stories of women and girls are drawn with a poetic precision that cuts like a knife. Join Myna Chang as she interviews Sarah about writing flash prose, prose poetry, crafting powerful metaphors, and the art of writing short. MORE >>

How do you find time to write a novel? Does the sheer number of words seem overwhelming or is it putting you off even getting started? Author Louise Tondeur spent the last few years researching the organizational tips and techniques that are most translatable to the writing life, some of which she'll share with you here. MORE >>

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) is home to eMerge Magazine, with four issues published annually. eMerge publishes work from past WCDH residents, but is equally open to submissions from writers and poets who have not stayed at the Colony. WOW recently chatted with Managing Editor, Joy Clark.  MORE >>

Choosing the optimum POV for your fiction is a critical narrative decision. Before you do, consider the pros and cons of various options. MORE >>

Tangled Locks Journal is an online literary journal committed to sharing complex, well-rounded stories, poetry, and essays that illuminate the experience and lives of women. We’re excited to explore this beautiful journal and paying market with founder and editor-in-chief Teresa Berkowitz. MORE >>

Let’s step into another world, shall we? Fantasy fiction has a way of doing just that. From worldbuilding to wielding magic, this imagination-driven genre can seem both exciting and daunting to craft. Author, folklorist, speaker and executive director of Willamette Writers, Kate Ristau shares her approach on how to materialize a fantastical story. MORE >>

This month’s journal spotlight is run by a mother-daughter team and publishes work written by people in their 20s. Sofia is the editor of the magazine and her mother, Lulu, serves as production assistant. This intergenerational creative team has been running Mag 20/20 together for three years. K.T. Mills interviews Sofia and Lulu about their mission and submitting to this innovative literary journal. MORE >>

Whether you have published a book or want to build your audience platform, there are many opportunities to promote yourself. From asking for reviews to being a guest on a podcast to introducing yourself to a journalist, you can increase your potential readership each time you put yourself out there. As a PR consultant, I’m crafting pitches constantly. Recently, I discovered that crafting a pitch is like writing a story. Here’s how. MORE >>

I met Cleaver’s Senior Poetry Editor Claire Oleson, in her Poetic Anatomies workshop. In addition to heading up the literary journal’s poetry section, Claire is an instructor for Cleaver’s workshop series. I’m happy to reconnect with Claire, especially in this month that celebrates all things poetry. In this interview, we chat about writing and submitting poetry. MORE >>

As someone who learns about history through fiction, I have a special treat for readers of this issue of WOW. A roundup featuring three of our best historical fiction authors including, Clare Beams of The Illness Lesson, D.M. Pulley of No-one’s Home, and Michelle Cameron of Beyond the Ghetto Gates. They have some great advice on how to get started with the writing and research process even if you've never written a work of historical fiction before. MORE >>

CRAFT is a premier destination for fiction and creative nonfiction, known for its focus on the craft and artistry of prose. It is also a paying market. We’re excited to share a glimpse into this publication, through the eyes of Editor-in-Chief Courtney Harler. Interview by Myna Chang. MORE >>

This month, we dive into writing the dark, mysterious, and weird with Suzanne Craig-Whytock. Suzanne is and award-winning author and founder of DarkWinter Literary Magazine, an independent publication from Ontario, Canada that focuses on short fiction and poetry. In this interview, Suzanne talks about what draws people to dark stories, her new collection of short stories, and shares advice for authors waiting to hit submit. Interview by Stacy Wentworth. MORE >>

Series are popular with readers, publishers, and writers. Wonderful series characters become treasured friends, with whom you catch up on a regular basis. But, as a writer, how do you keep a long-running series fresh? Devon Ellington chats with series authors who share their best tips: New York Times bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, Yasmine Galenorn; national bestselling cozy mystery author Lucy Burdette; and Alyssa Maxwell, author of two historical mystery series. If you’re writing a series, you’ll be interested in reading how these authors keep their characters and situations lively from book to book. MORE >>

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to find a publisher for my memoir manuscript. While I continue querying agents, I’m also researching other routes to publication to possibly add to my outreach this year. I’m therefore excited to welcome our next guest, Publisher of She Writes Press, Brooke Warner! I chat with Brooke about a “third way” for writers to get published, and the importance of green-lighting our work. Interview by Ann Kathryn Kelly. MORE >>

Every primary character deserves a description, including, but not limited to, their skin tone, superficial features, cultural background, and of course, their personality traits. Often, race and ethnicity are ignored or hard to work into the descriptions and can cause writers anxiety and worry over doing it correctly. So, the often unintended mistake of skipping description of ethnic details perpetuates the idea that white characters are the default unless explained otherwise. MORE >>

Want to start the New Year on a high note by landing a paid byline at a prestigious women’s magazine? Find out how by reading our interview with the creative and talented Sarah Elaine Hawkinson, the editor of Sasee Magazine. Sasee welcomes editorial submissions from freelance writers. They’re seeking new, unpublished, first-person, non-fiction material that is for or about women. Essays, humor, satire, personal experience, and features on topics relating to women are their primary editorial focus. Interview by Ashley Memory. MORE >>

Every protagonist is a superhero. Even if you’re writing an adult romance, you can apply the guidelines of creating a great superhero to your story’s main character. You can accomplish this by remembering the key aspects of any cape-wearing or super-powered good guy. By author Shelly X. Leonn. MORE >>

Off Topic Publishing offers a monthly contest that cycles between fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; a monthly poetry box; chapbook and anthology publishing; writers conferences and retreats; an active community and more. Lindsey Harrington interviews editor-in-chief Marion Lougheed about how Off Topic started and their various initiatives, what their editors are seeking in submissions, and much more! MORE >>

Maybe you’ve heard this before at a writing workshop—or possibly said it yourself: But it really happened that way! The truth is stranger than fiction, or so the saying goes. There are some things we’d simply never believe if we encountered them in a novel. But what if you’re trying to write what you know and basing a story on a real-life event? What happens when that fails? Is there a way to salvage the piece? Or better still, could you weave real-life details into fiction in a way that would enhance and elevate the story? Even if you aren’t writing from real life, the techniques below can help you enrich your fictional worlds and draw your readers into your stories. By Charity Tahmaseb. MORE >>

When I think about the art of flash writing, one name immediately springs to my mind—and I bet many of you, especially fans of evocative, memorable flash, will be familiar with Kathy Fish! Ann Kathryn Kelly interviews Kathy about the art of writing flash fiction, Kath’s flash collections, and her popular flash workshops. MORE >>

For decades, journalists have relied on a basic formula to build the foundations of their stories: the five Ws and an H, or Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Novelists can use these same building-block questions to construct three-dimensional characters who live and breathe in readers' minds. Author Ekta Garg shows you how! MORE >>

There’s nothing more exciting or daunting than crafting a fascinating science fiction or fantasy world from scratch. By its very purpose, there are countless parts to build and get lost in. The prospect can feel too overwhelming to dive too deep beyond the needs of the plot or characters, but it is in those details where the world truly comes alive. I like to call worldbuilding fictional anthropology. By Shana Scott. MORE >>

Danica Davidson shows you how to write in a child’s voice. Learn about vocabulary choices, how to write authentically and child-friendly, and some common mistakes to look out for. MORE >>

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Fiona Smith with Beyond Words Literary Agency, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less Summer 2023 Flash Fiction Competition. MORE >>

Check out the results of our latest essay contest! Read the winning essays of the 1,000 words or less Q4 2023 Essay Competition. MORE >>