Resources
From Category:
Witcraft
Witcraft is an online journal that publishes "brief, humorous and engaging" flash prose and poetry, 200-1,000 words. They are seeking "wit, word play, absurdity and inspired nonsense," and are not interested in political satire or gross bodily humor. Site is updated weekly, and top three submissions each month receive modest cash prizes.
With Words
With Words is a UK-based nonprofit that offers writing workshops and literary events for adults and youth, as well as an international haiku competition. Visit their website for basic advice on writing haiku poetry, with examples.
With Words
With Words is a UK-based nonprofit that offers writing workshops and literary events for adults and youth, as well as an international haiku competition. Visit their website for basic advice on writing haiku poetry, with examples.
Wocky Jivvy: Poems of Shame
Brave and as yet unsuccessful attempts to write a poem that The National Library of Poetry won't accept. From "Dawn of a New Eve": "Now he offers me dark fruit;/A piece of pie for my bloodroot./Thick serpent slithers through my verse;/Is what he seeks inside my purse?/'Oh Eve, I ssssavor what you wrote!'/Now he's coiled around my throat..."
Woman with Crows
By Ruth Thompson. This poetry collection, earthy yet mythical, celebrates the spiritual wisdom of the Crone, the woman with crows (and crows' feet). Because of her conscious kinship with nature, the speaker of these poems embraces the changes that our artificial culture has taught us to dread. Fatness recurs as a revolutionary symbol of joy: a woman's body is not her enemy, and scarcity is not the deepest truth. For her, the unraveling of memory and the shedding of possessions are not a story of decline but a fairy tale of transformation.
Women’s Review of Books
They are mainly interested in women's studies books, poetry, and literary prose. They also publish author interviews, photography, and original poetry. Women's Review of Books is published by the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College, in collaboration with Old City Publishing in Philadelphia, PA.
Wompo - A Women in Poetry Listserv
Wompo is a listserv devoted to the discussion of Women's Poetry. Membership is open to all individuals who are interested in discussing poetry written by women. The discussion covers women poets of all periods, aesthetics, and ethnicities.
Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer
Make your moods work for you, judge if and when to quit your day job, get along with the others in your home and tap the power of positive and negative thinking.
WordDB Rhyming Dictionary
WordDB is a free reference site that includes crossword puzzle clues, thesaurus, antonyms, and a Scrabble wordfinder. Their main product is the Rhyming Dictionary, with hundreds of rhymes for over 350,000 words and phrases. Think there's no rhyme for "orange"? Check out their suggestions, based on a variety of accents and syllable pronunciation speeds.
Wordnik
Crowd-sourced online dictionary allows readers to supplement existing definitions and suggest new words for inclusion. The site also tracks how words are being used in tags and captions at online photo- and video-sharing sites. Additional fun features include a random word-of-the-day generator and a counter for each word's value in Scrabble points.
WordPress
Free blogging service describes itself as "a state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability." Users seeking a more sophisticated and professional-looking blog should check them out.
Words
Words are like raindrops.
They fall. Single and
Sublime upon the earth,
The shores and the
Stream that
Gurgles and splutters and
Tries to
Make sense.
Words join together in
Sentences of streams,
Rivers, overflowing, flowing
And flowing in roads connected,
Disconnected, passing each
Other,
Only to be joined, connected
And go on
And on.
Words flow calm and tepid,
Smooth and serene
Or hot and roaring, thundering
And screeching.
Gnashing themselves on
The rocks and dead
Foliage.
Words are holy—
The scriptures of religion.
They are the canon that tell the
Pope what to do.
Almighty, all powerful they are
More powerful than
God himself.
Words are the creator—
They made God.
They made everything possible.
They have the power to kill or
Maim, to love or hate, to admire or
Insult. Words. Soft, romantic and
Lustful. Harsh, bitter,
Revengeful.
Words hurt. Words cure.
They are the surgeon's
Tools. They cut and chop,
Disengage and defuse.
They bisect, dissect and
Resurrect.
Words explode more potent
Than bombs.
They can take away or
Legitimize a life. Prop you up or
Bring you down and
Turn you round and round.
Words—I salute you.
Copyright 2012 by Shirani Rajapakse
Critique by Jendi Reiter
A new year, a fresh start. Time to re-assess the familiar materials with which we've labored for the past twelve months, to rediscover the heart of our projects and re-commit ourselves to bringing forth what's essential. In December's Critique Corner, my colleague Tracy Koretsky offered a close reading and appreciation of some prizewinning work by our subscribers. In this month's column, Sri Lankan poet Shirani Rajapakse invites us to a similar appreciation of the writer's most basic tool—words.
In this data-overloaded culture, where words (or misspelled fragments of words) are largely disposable vehicles to convey information quickly, the poet's careful attention can be a subversive luxury. How often do we take the time required to ponder the subtle differences between words and reflect on why one is a better fit for this line of this poem?
Certainly, careless word choices can produce some howlers for contest judges. A misplaced word is like a nail sticking up from the road, causing a flat tire that stops the reader's journey. To continue the automotive metaphor, bad poems can result from tunnel vision: the author concentrated so hard on one dimension of the word, such as rhyme, that he didn't bother asking whether the word was also a fresh image or consistent with the poem's mood.
The many dimensions to consider include meaning, sound, syllable count and accents, degree of formality, historical period, and even the word's history of usage in other well-known poems. And then there's the question of how many words are required to make the point—elaboration and repetition versus minimalism. Writing instructors sometimes offer cheap shortcuts such as "eliminate adverbs" or "no more than one adjective per noun" (so long, wee, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous beastie). A thoughtful writer, however, will allow the words in each poem to choose their own companions, whether few or many.
Rajapakse's "Words" are gregarious indeed, yet her theme appears simple. So simple, in fact, that sometimes I asked myself whether the poem displayed true movement or only repeated a single theme to excess. The short line breaks contribute to this impression of a lengthy but monotone list. But I think there's more here to reward the patient reader. Countering our tendency to skim text for the "take-home message", Rajapakse wants us to slow down, give each word the benefit of the doubt, and think about how it functions:
They are the surgeon's
Tools. They cut and chop,
Disengage and defuse.
They bisect, dissect and
Resurrect.
Poets are like collectors. We love words with texture, sparkle and edge; rare words; lively words that are not used as often as they deserve. Rajapakse is a connoisseur of active, specific verbs, as this passage shows. Do we need both "cut" and "chop"? Well, cutting is precise and calculated, chopping is rougher and perhaps aggressive. The surgeon needs both types of blades. So does the writer. Along with a range of meanings, different words facilitate different sound techniques. "Cut and chop, disengage and defuse" give us alliteration; "bisect, dissect and resurrect" add rhyme. Maybe it's best to think of this poem not as a narrative but as a variety showcase, a talent show for words.
The opening lines demonstrate another aspect of wordplay, namely mimicking the rhythm of the thing spoken about. Notice the choppy linebreaks and short sentences when the author is comparing words to raindrops, versus the longer and more regular lines in the passage beginning "Words join together in/Sentences of streams".
Not all of the unexpected linebreaks are as successful. For instance, "Passing each/Other" introduces an awkward pause that isn't justified either by the importance of the word so highlighted, or by the sound-picture she's aiming to create, since this is the section of the poem where the metaphorical water is supposed to flow smoothly.
Another rough spot occurs in "They are the canon that tell the/Pope what to do." I generally advise against ending a line with the word "the" because it is a weak word to emphasize, and the break goes against the natural cadence of speech. The author might consider breaking after "canon" instead.
Rajapakse has made the rather old-fashioned choice to begin each line with a capital letter, which calls further attention to words that have been placed in positions above their real importance. During revision, she might try switching to standard capitalization (only at the beginnings of sentences), to see whether it makes certain phrases flow more naturally.
A couple of stanza breaks could also improve the pacing. For example, try breaks after "Foliage" and "revengeful". Each new stanza would then begin with "Words", adding a visible structure to the poem. In our March 2011 Critique Corner, Tracy discussed diction families—related words that build up an extended metaphor. By setting off one diction family from another, stanza breaks could turn "Words" from a repetitive "list" poem to one that actually contains pauses for thought.
Finally, Rajapakse might consider a more universal ending. The authorial "I" felt to me like an intrusion, since the poem was not a first-person lyric up to this point. Switching "I" to "we", as suggested in our October 2011 Critique Corner, generously invites the reader into the poem. However, "salute you" is still a cliche, and the lines immediately before this one are not especially distinctive either. Perhaps she could tinker with the last four lines to stay completely within the military diction family suggested by "Words explode more potent/Than bombs. They can take away or/Legitimize a life." These are some of the strongest lines in the poem, in terms of meaning and rhythmic punch. They should either end the poem or be followed by something shorter, thematically connected, and equally powerful. Rajapakse has a lively vocabulary and a love for the raw materials of writing, which will serve her well as she polishes this poem further.
Where could a poem like "Words" be submitted? The following contests may be of interest:
Poetry Society of Virginia (Adult Categories)
Postmark Deadline: January 19
Prizes up to $250 for poems in over two dozen categories including humor, nature, and a variety of traditional forms
Slipstream Poets Open Poetry Competition
Entries must be received by January 31
British writers' group offers prizes up to 250 pounds for unpublished poems on a selected theme (2012: "Encounters")
This poem and critique appeared in the January 2012 issue of Winning Writers Newsletter (subscribe free).
Words of War: Comparing Veterans’ Experiences with War Poetry
This lesson plan module from The New York Times suggests readings and writing prompts to help students reflect on how war is portrayed in literature and in veterans' first-person accounts.
Words That Didn’t Want to Be Written on Paper
By Elie Azar
I squeezed my heart so hard I wanted it to suffocate
Every beat was screaming out your name.
Get out of my mind
Set free my soul
I have loved you
You haven't at all.
Get out from my corpse, it can barely hold itself
Leave me alone
You're a new regret.
I'm out of my mind
I still want you
It's all I tried to get
Love comes in actions,
Yours I can't forget.
Your eyes I love
They have so much to tell
A story of you and me
I was hoping it held.
Words I write to you
All the world seems to get
Why are you so blind?
My breathing is getting hard
I'm writing you this now that we're apart.
Words coming out from the hands that
wanted to hold yours so hard
A heart full of soul, walking itself to the pier of death,
Oh words
Mother of chains
Be that message in a box.
Set yourself free
Praise my ache
Slaughter my pain.
Make your way to whom I can't forget
Tell him he's my heart's boss.
I'll love him until love hates
And remember him until memories forget.
Words That Rhyme
Paul Aubrian created this site featuring lists of words that rhyme with a particular word or syllable. A fun way for formal poets to expand their vocabulary.
Words Without Borders
50% of all the books in translation now published worldwide are translated from English, but only 6% are translated into English. Words Without Borders, a project of the PEN American Center and Bard College, aims to improve the balance with English translations of outstanding work from around the world. Recent themed issues include Literary Border-Crossings in Iran and Writing from North Korea. Read the issues free online, and sign up for the free email newsletter.
Wordsworth
Created by Marissa Skudlarek, Wordsworth is a free online search tool that helps writers of historical fiction use period-appropriate language. You can compare a passage from your story to a corpus of fiction from the decade you're writing about, or look up whether a specific phrase is found in fiction from that decade. Wordsworth's database of comparison texts currently features (mostly British) classics written from 1801-1923. More texts after this date will be added when their US copyright expires.
WordTips Guide to Grammar and Punctuation
WordTips features several free resources to help with writing skills, anagrams and word puzzles, and Scrabble vocabulary. This page gives an overview of grammar and punctuation rules, plus links to many other sites with more detail on these topics. Clear, simple presentation makes it a suitable resource for middle- and high-school students.
Working Writers Newsletter
Blog for writers and screenwriters features upcoming contests, calls for submissions, literary conferences and events, and the latest news from the publishing industry.
World Haiku Review
Sophisticated presentation and analysis of haiku and haiku-related genres. Newsboard posts promote events and resources for Asian verse. Send handsome ecards for free.
World Literature Today
A bimonthly journal published by the University of Oklahoma.
World War I Historical Association
This site is the portal for several related sites about the history and literature of World War I: the Great War Society, the Western Front Association USA, and the St. Mihiel Trip-Wire.
Wrath-Bearing Tree
Established by combat veterans and maintained by a diverse board of veterans, military spouses, and writers compelled by themes of social justice and human resilience, The Wrath-Bearing Tree publishes essays, reviews, fiction, and poetry on military, economic, and social violence written by those who have experienced military, economic, and social violence or their consequences.
Wrestling with the Angel: Faith and Religion in the Lives of Gay Men
Contributors to this profound and heartfelt anthology of spiritual memoirs include Mark Doty, Andrew Holleran, Alfred Corn, Fenton Johnson, and Lev Raphael. The authors touch on such topics as the connection between spiritual and erotic ecstasy, family secrets and reconciliations, and AIDS as a modern crucible of faith.
Write an Artist Statement People Will Want to Read
Grant applications, gallery exhibitions, and other competitive opportunities may require you to write an "artist statement" about your work. This article from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's blog explains the salient features of a successful artist statement. It should be brief, polished (no typos), offer a "way in" to understand your choice of materials and themes, and be consistent with the unique voice or mood of your art.
Write Me Letters
By Ndaba Sibanda
You have filled me in on what makes you tick,
took me on a tour of your culture and creed.
You have taken me to places where they dish
out delicacies and glamour and glitz.
I cannot thank you enough for the body
of knowledge you have shared with me.
I cannot thank you enough for the superb cuisines
and places of interest you have exposed me to.
But now, please waste not your breath and time,
for time for buts and blah blah is over.
But now, please dish out your fragilities,
your you-ness, for I pour out my me-ness.
Write,
write me letters...
Write,
write me letters...
Words whose meanings and sounds
are spelt out in the dictionary of you 'n me.
Those whose font sizes dance a lively tap
to the melody and therapy of my soul.
Words whose meanings and sounds
are meaningless and soundless to all.
Write me letters at the centre of my heart,
letters so hot they burn into eternal blazes.
Write me letters whose glorious memories
time and distance will not shrink or erase.
Write me letters in the hidden bowels of my mind,
letters so mad they invent and reinvent my world.
Draw me pictures whose shadows and sounds
and colours I will follow and fall for forever.
Draw me diagrams of the unseen and untouchable
only seen and touched in the depth of your heart.
Diagrams reflective of the effectiveness of vibes,
those that sweep one off one's heart and mind.
Please me tell that our walks and chats and outings
are the fruit we are beholden to honour and nurture.
Please tell me I am the letters and diagrams
that have snowballed and sailed away with you.
Write me letters and diagrams about denials
and the writing off of reality at one's risk.
Write me letters and diagrams about what lies
beneath the wholeness of you and your life.
Let me drown in their transcendence and elegance,
so that our deficiencies see the light of fondness.
Let me plunge into the blast furnace of adoration,
and deal with its heat, lows and highs with conviction.
Bring me the honour and privilege to take a sneak peek
into our lifetime displeasures and treasures and pleasures.
Bring me all our baggage of staggering secrets and frailties,
bring them on—for these are to be in the mirror of frankness.
Write me letters slated in for victory and celebration,
write me letters endorsed and sealed by our hearts.
Write me letters whose weight is weightless and sight
sightless in the face of our resolve and affection.
Write,
write me letters...
Write,
write me letters...
Write Now! Coach
Book coach Rochelle Melander offers workshops, consultations, and critique groups through her website Write Now! Coach. Her published books include Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (And Live to Tell About It), a 2011 ForeWord Book of the Year finalist.
Write Ways to Win Writing Contests
A witty and practical guide to finding the best contests for your work. Topics include identifying the judges' tastes, "popular" versus "literary" styles of writing, preparing a professional-looking manuscript and avoiding scam contests. Though his examples are drawn from fiction, poets will also find this guide indispensable. John Reid is the founder of the Tom Howard poetry and prose contests, now sponsored by Winning Writers.
Writecorner Press
Online publisher and writers' resource site offers a selection of well-crafted short fiction and nonfiction by emerging and established writers, including the winners of Writecorner's E.M. Koeppel Short Fiction Award. The site seems to have ceased being updated in 2014 but the archives are worth reading.
Writer Advice
Writer Advice is a resource site managed by B. Lynn Goodwin, author of Talent and You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers. The site includes links to markets and contests, craft essays, and quotes from famous authors. They also offer contests with modest prizes and fees.
Writer Beware Blog
Authors/scam hunters Victoria Strauss and A.C. Crispin give advice on avoiding scam contests, working with editors and agents, and understanding your legal rights. Writer Beware is a project of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's Committee on Writing Scams.
Writer Beware: Print on Demand Publishing Services
This page from the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America's advice site offers a comprehensive look at the varieties and pitfalls of POD publishing.
Writer Beware: The Impersonation Game
Victoria Strauss's Writer Beware site is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for investigating deceptive literary marketing schemes. This article teaches you to watch out for solicitations from con artists masquerading as well-known agencies or publishers. Common scams include false claims of affiliation with legitimate companies (even going so far as to copy their logo) and emails using the names of real literary agents (who did not actually write them).
Writer Beware’s Guide to Selecting Reputable Literary Agents
Writer Beware, a project of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), shares detailed guidelines for evaluating the credibility and experience of literary agents, plus warnings about common scams in this field.
Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents
This annual directory from Writer's Digest lists over 1,000 agents who represent writers and their books.
Writer’s Digest List of Poetic Forms
Writer's Digest Editor Robert Lee Brewer first compiled this list of 50 poetic forms in 2015, updated to 168 in 2021. Each item on the alphabetized list links to a definition and example.
Writer’s Digest Tips on Writing a Standout Self-Published Book
AJ Wells, a judge for the self-published book competitions at Writer's Digest, breaks down the key ingredients of a successful entry. Professional cover design is a must, as is editing to eliminate extraneous details that slow down the story. Don't rush the book into print without making it as polished as possible.
Writer’s Digest: 18 Contest Dos & Don’ts for Writers
Basic advice on contest etiquette, record-keeping, proofreading, and making your submission look professional.
Writer’s Knowledge Base
Created by Hiveword, the Writer's Knowledge Base search engine indexes over 40,000 online articles on the craft and business of writing. Search by keyword or browse by category.
Writer’s Market 100th Edition
From Writer's Digest, with "...thousands of publishing opportunities for writers, listings for book publishers, consumer and trade magazines, contests and awards, and literary agents—as well as new playwriting and screenwriting sections, along with contact and submission information.
"Beyond the listings, you'll find articles devoted to the business and promotion of writing. Discover 20 literary agents actively seeking writers and their writing, how to develop an author brand, and overlooked funds for writers. This 100th edition also includes the ever-popular pay-rate chart and book publisher subject index."
Writer’s Online Toolkit
At the online portal for Maryville University, a Catholic college in St. Louis, MO, this article reviews a number of popular software programs for authors and explains their purpose. Included are website blockers to filter out distractions, programs for keeping track of your drafts, and plotting and editing tools for fiction writers.
Writer’s Relief: Literary Journals By And For Women Writers
Compiled in March 2012, this list features 20 literary journals with a focus on women's writing. Writer's Relief is an authors' submission service.
Writers Online Directory of Competitions
Writers Online, a British writing site, posts listings of writing competitions, workshops, and book publishing services in the UK. Their directories are searchable by keyword and by geographic region within the UK and Ireland.
Writers’ HQ List of Writing Competitions and Submission Opportunities
Writers' HQ is a UK-based writers' resource site with listings for workshops, retreats, and publication opportunities. Their policy is to list only those markets that are free or financially accessible, which they define as having reasonable costs and prize-fee ratios. This page on their site features UK and US submission calls with deadlines in the next few months.
Writers’ Workshop of Asheville
The Writers' Workshop of Asheville, NC, offers weekend classes and contests for emerging and experienced writers. Financial assistance is available for low-income writers in exchange for volunteering. The prize in their contests is generally a choice between a stay at their Mountain Muse B&B, free workshops, or a free manuscript edit.
WritersMarket.com
Contact information for thousands of editors and agents. Search by keyword and category. Monthly access is $2.99. Annual access is $29.95, with a 30-day money back guarantee. Includes advice on improving your query letters and answers to common questions. Daily industry updates.
WritersWeekly Warnings
Names publishers and organizations that writers have had disputes with.
Writing Always Finds Me
By Amy S. Pacini
Writing always finds me...
In the clustered cells of my restlessly racing mind
In the lonely longings and aching apprehensions of my heart
Weaving a whirling web of whimsical words and a wishful well of wisdom.
Fancily floating like a carefree cardinal red feather in the blissful breezes
On a spring Sunday afternoon looking up at the cloudless robin's egg blue sky
Pondering the purpose and meaning of life and how I fit in to the universal master plan.
Through streaming sensations, trickled thoughts, and cascading cares
Of woodland creeks, mountain lakes, and rainforest waterfalls
It percolates the perceptions, ignites burning passions, and unleashes my chambered creativity.
Writing always finds me...
In the radiant rays of sultry summer days and the witching hour of harvest moonlit nights
It never lets me down and is always there for me no matter the day or hour
It doesn't have to check its daily planner book for an opening or need to pencil me in.
It silently waits for me to open my artistic arms
To euphorically embrace its literary lines with artistic agility
When I am mentally blocked or drained, it journalistically jolts my linguistic lightning.
It allows me to completely and wholeheartedly be myself
And clearly sees the transparent totality of my intricate individuality
With its strongest sensibilities and weakest witherings.
Writing always finds me...
It speaks to me through the daily interactions of the people I meet and greet
While taking a relaxing drive through the country or exploring a new city
On cemetery epitaphs of those who are remembered for their final inspirational inscriptions.
While reading breaking news articles and controversially edgy editorials
Reading romantic love stories, suspense thriller novels, and farcical comic strips
Through biblical scripture, devotional divinity, and prayerful penitence.
It does not mock or snicker at the silly, stupid or strange things I say
It does not unjustly judge or bluntly criticize my opinions, actions, mistakes, and failures
But alternatively offers me a safe sanctuary of solitude and serenity.
Writing always finds me...
In the chaotic chasms, majestic moments, and sacred spaces of each morning sunrise
In the surreal subconsciousness of castle cloud dreams
And monster chasing nightmares of every nightfall's repose.
Between the sidewalk cracks, cobwebbed corners, masquerading mirrors and open doorways
Down familiarly traveled roads, unforeseeable twists and turns, and uncharted territories
Through rivuleted rumination, meadowed meanderings, and oceanic odysseys.
Recurrently roaming like an apparitional abstraction
In the echoing halls of home and the unoccupied rooms of chimerical childhood
Yearning for love and acceptance, understanding and respect.
Writing always finds me...
It quietly whispers in the silhouetted shadows of my melancholic moods
And patiently listens to me unveil my deepest and darkest desires, shameful and sinful secrets
On the unfilled pages of personal pain, anguish, and sorrow.
In trying times of dire desperation when I feel hopelessly hollow and forlornly fractured
It brings me to a much better place than where I originally came from
It uplifts my sinking soul and transcendentally transforms my being into a liberated literate.
Like a lost dog fervently finding his way back home again because that is what writing feels like
A pleasant place to call home and that is where I always retreat when I want to find
Calming peace, cozy comfort, Hallmark happiness, lively laughter and lavishing love.
Writing always finds me...
This poem was originally published by the TL Publishing Group in Torrid Literature Journal, Volume XII – Tension (October 2014).
Writing Better Trans Characters
Cheryl Morgan is a science fiction critic, radio presenter, and owner of Wizard's Tower Press. In this 2015 article from speculative fiction magazine Strange Horizons, she discusses tropes in transgender and genderqueer character representation and how to create gender-diverse worlds in a respectful and accurate way.
Writing Contest Links at The Writer Magazine
The Writer is a monthly magazine with craft articles and publication opportunities for creative writers. Their website includes an up-to-date list of links to contests with upcoming deadlines, searchable by genre: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, journalism, and more.
