Writers Post Journal

We may be a young Journal, but we can still smell a draft when we see one. Whether you’ve been published before or not, please send in your best stuff. Read it and reread. Put it aside. Read it again. The best way to improve your writing is by reading your stories and poetry out loud so that your ears get a shot at catching those pesky sentences that don’t quite fit.

Also, with all the manuscripts we receive each month, we’ve noticed that the snail-mail submissions tend to be cleaner, fresher, and better written. In part this may be that mailing a manuscript and paying postage takes a lot more effort than copying and pasting or attaching a file. Dedicated writers sweat over every piece of mail they send and receive. Submitting online is easier, though, and here at WPJ we’re all about making it easy on our writers to submit their work. All we ask in return is to care for your online submissions the same way you would if you had to pay for postage both ways!

WHAT TO INCLUDE (COVER LETTER)

No matter the genre, your submissions should include a cover letter with the following contact info: Full Name (pseudonyms are ok), home address, and e-mail. You may also include your phone number, and if you have a website, please include that as well. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!

Your cover letter should include a paragraph introducing the piece you’re submitting. For essays and fiction please mention the WORD COUNT. You can use a second paragraph to tell us a little about yourself. Namely, mention your writing, any publishing credits and awards you may have received.

You can submit more than once per issue for consideration, but please ensure that you submit only one piece per form. Our issues are based on themes. Please, make sure you state which issue/theme your submission relates to (If you’re using our online form, mention this in the Title heading).

The Writers Post Journal is open to submissions in the following:

SHORT STORIES (we accept all genre)

We accept short stories up to 5,000 words MAX, but we tend to hold a special place in our hearts for those stories in the middle range (1,500-2,500 words). The best way to see your story in print is to hook us right from the beginning. This is especially true for longer manuscripts. If you catch our attention by page one, we’re much more likely to pay closer attention. A great piece of advice is to start your story fast. Make it active and original. Bring us up close. Don’t waste any words to get where you’re going!

FLASH FICTION

For our flash pieces we look for 1,000 words max. Because you have less room to work with in flash fiction, make every word count! Don’t tell us the entire life of a character in a thousand words. Bring us into a moment in his life. Give us something significant. Something worth taking a look.

POETRY

You may submit more than once, per issue, for consideration. But please ensure that you submit only one piece per form or email. Via snail mail you may include more than one per envelope.

NON FICTION

Essays between 1,500-3,000 words. These should be essays or articles in the interest of writers and general audience readers.
“How to” articles of all types work great. We’re always looking for creative nonfiction and new journalism types of writing.

ARTWORK
Anyone interested in illustrating for WPJ should email with a query letter and available on-line portfolio.
Cartoons and fillers (b & w or grayscale only) .
What you send to us should to be print-quality, preferably 300 dpi. We will resize the art as necessary before using it. Electronic files should be sent in jpeg format.

PAYMENT

Beginning in July 2007, although on the small scale level, The WPJ once again, will begin to pay for short stories and non fiction.

However, we do not issue checks. You must have a paypal account to receive a monetary payment.

Payments are as follows $5.00 – $10.00 Short stories

Articles and Essays $5.00

All other pieces receive a complimentary print issue with a provided SASE.

All published material is used on a one time rights non exclusive basis. You are free to submit elsewhere

Accepts simultaneous submissions if stated in query.

RESPONSE TIME

Please allow 3 – 4 months on submissions. Depending on numerous variables, however, it can sometimes take longer. If you have received no response after five months, send me a reminder via email stating your name, when you submitted, Issue and submission title

Themes

There are three ways to submit to us. Please, no matter which way you choose, provide us with contact information.

SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS

Do not send originals. Please include an appropriately sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) if you wish your submission returned. Contributors submitting disposable submissions may alternately request response via e-mail, in which case a working e-mail address must be provided with the submission.

If you choose to submit photocopies, please ensure they are clear and legible. We are not responsible for submissions lost due to the USPS.

All snail mail submissions should be sent to:

Writers Post Journal

PO Box 7989

Pittsburgh, PA 15216

EMAIL SUBMISSIONS

You may submit more than once, per issue, for consideration. But please ensure that you submit only one piece per form, or email.

If you chose to Email, send to: Submission Email

If you are asked to send your story or poem as an attachment file, please make sure all submissions are double spaced, one inch margins, and no fancy fonts. Please limit use of (bold) as well

SUBMISSION FORM

Click here to Submit via our Submission Form.