Do you need some writing inspiration? Contests are a great way to spark your creativity, and you may even win a prize! This season we are awarding $1350.00 in cash prizes. Get your best work together and consider entering the WOW! quarterly flash fiction contest with guest judge Literary Agent Gracie Freeman Lifschutz with DG&B. The Summer 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. Deadline: November 30, 2025. MORE >>

WOW! is proud to introduce our newest essay contest! The mission of the 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, 2026. 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 workshops: creative nonfiction, personal essay, memoir, young adult, narrative structures, freelance editing, cozy mystery writing, screenwriting, playwriting, poetry, travel writing, true crime writing, and more. MORE >>

Myna Chang interviews Melissa Llanes Brownlee, author of the forthcoming story collection, Bitter Over Sweet, which explores the lives of native Hawai’ian women. They chat about writing microfiction, using dialect in writing, and Melissa’s role as senior submissions editor of Smokelong Quarterly. MORE >>

How much say do authors have in their cover design? What makes a successful cover? Where do self-published authors get their covers? Jodi M. Webb chats with authors and book designers who share their best tips! MORE >>

Unreliable narrators are among the most magnetic storytellers because they make us question everything we think we know. But crafting one must be a careful, deliberate act. Shweta Deshpande shares six tips to help you write an unreliable narrator that will captivate readers. MORE >>

WOW interviews Deborah A. Lott, editor-in-chief of Two Hawks Quarterly (THQ), a literary journal that publishes poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Read on to find out more about their acceptance process and submit your work starting October 1st. Interview by Chelsey Clammer. MORE >>

Myna Chang chats with author C.L. Clark about writing fantasy fiction, crafting fantastic plots, editing, swords, and C.L.’s two forthcoming books. MORE >>

WOW interviews Susan Dabbar, editor-in-chief of a buzzy new magazine and media platform for women 50+ known as PROVOKED by susan. Read on to find out why Susan created this amazing publication, what type of stories and voice she’s looking for, and find out how you can help shape the future of this high-paying market. Interview by Jodi M. Webb. MORE >>

Characters have to be realistic, likable, and relatable, yet possess the same nuances that we do, so that they become individuals in their own right. Even when you craft a villain for your story, you have to be careful that you don’t create someone who is too stereotypical. So, what’s the best way to write realistic characters? Author Julie Shackman shares how to craft realistic characters. MORE >>

WOW columnist Ann Kathryn Kelly interviews JoAnne Tucker, residency director of Casa Uno, a retreat in Costa Rica. JoAnne created this beautiful escape to provide writers with a space to pursue their dream projects. Ann was one of those lucky writers who attended the residency, and she chats with JoAnne about the experience and magic of the place. There’s no fee to apply, and if you’re chosen, the residency is free. Check out their interview (including Ann’s gorgeous photos) and apply for a spot! MORE >>

Have you ever thought about where the world is heading? Sometimes, books seem to predict the future or come scarily close. Emma Sloley’s latest novel, The Island of Last Things, is one of those books. WOW sat down with Emma Sloley to chat about novel writing, revision, rejections, and how her latest book examines our complicated relationship with animals and the natural world. Interview by Kelly Sgroi. MORE >>

If you’re a freelancer, you know how important it is to secure interviews with celebrities and experts for your articles and projects, but sometimes it’s easier said than done! So how can writers improve their chances of landing that dream interview? Jodi M. Webb chats with publicists who share their best tips on how to pitch your project. MORE >>

Intrepidus Ink is known for its exciting stories and bold design. Published authors rave about the custom graphics and expert promotions that accompany each story. We're excited to share a look at this lively magazine through the eyes of founder and Editor-in-Chief Rhonda Schlumpberger. And Intrepidus Ink is a paying market! Interview by Myna Chang. MORE >>

Have you wondered how to get organized as a writer? One way is to use a bullet journal, or BuJo, which is a cross between a planner, diary, notebook, to-do list, and sketchbook. Author Stephanie Wildman shows you how. MORE >>

Jodi M. Webb interviews Sally Sedgwick, founding editor of Woods Reader, a magazine for those who love woodland areas. Jodi has had several pieces published in this beautiful magazine, and Sally shares what she’s looking for in submissions. Woods Reader is a paying market! MORE >>

Novels that conjure up pictures in my head of where the characters work, live, love, and exist have a very special place in my heart. As writers, how can we achieve descriptions of vivid colors and make them reality when we world-build? How can we make our settings seem real and spring from the page? Author Julie Shackman shares her best tips for creating novel settings that will keep readers turning the pages. MORE >>

Are you writing a YA or NA novel? If so, you won’t want to miss this interview! Kelly Sgroi interviews with Isabel Lineberry, a junior literary agent with Pérez Literary and Entertainment who is actively looking for submissions. They chat about the fantasy genre, comparative titles, query letters, editing, and more. MORE >>

Beginnings are always hard. No matter if it’s a novel, short story, or essay. As a writer, the mission is to beguile, coax, hook, and yes, seduce—manipulate, if you will—agents, editors, publishers, and readers to open our books, turn the pages, and never stop until “The End.” So how does a writer start strong? Create intrigue. Ground your reader in the story. Impose questions in a reader’s mind. By Donna Judith Essner. MORE >>

Atticus Review is placing its bets on NFTs and blockchain, changing its publication format and entire mission to embrace the technology. The potential hurdle with this? The literary community, at least the way I perceive it, seems more than distrustful talking about creative art and complex technology in the same breath. That’s why we’re chatting with Atticus Review Publisher David Olimpio and Editor Boo Trundle, to ask them: Why blockchain? Why right now? Interview by Ann Kathryn Kelly. MORE >>

Subtext is anything that a reader can infer from a text which the writer (or speaker) hasn’t explicitly stated. It engages the reader, adds a degree of uncertainty, and makes your characters more believable. But how can writers actually do this? Read on for four concrete tips by Loretta Bushell to master the art of subtext. MORE >>

This month we are excited to welcome Sandra Fluck, the founder of The Write Launch and the bookscover2cover, LLC to learn more about the website’s vision and what they are looking for in submissions. Interview by Renee Roberson. MORE >>

There’s nothing more distracting than reading a book and finding that there are information dumps, which interrupt the flow of the story. Instead of the plot sweeping you along, you find yourself confronted with a three-page description of the character’s hometown. Then there are several paragraphs, detailing her college crush. Author Julie Shackman shares her best tips and tricks to avoid info dumps in your writing. MORE >>

Y2K Quarterly is a newer entrant onto the lit journal scene. It’s devoted to the glory days of the late 90s into the mid 2000s. Editor-in-Chief Melinda Wyers came up with this cool journal concept, paired with an even cooler website reminiscent of a vintage Windows desktop, that accepts Y2K-themed fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Interview by Ann Kathryn Kelly. MORE >>

What writer does not wish for inspiration? Our creative work seems effortless when we soar on the wings of our imagination. Empowered by the Muse, we easily conquer our “creative mountains” and complete difficult projects. Alas, we, writers, cannot count on the Muse to inspire us regularly. But how can we make progress in our creative endeavors? Tatiana Claudy provides us with a handful of tips for maximizing your time and productivity. MORE >>

Blogging has become an ever-changing way to share your knowledge, build your brand, and earn a passive income. But, with millions of blogs all trying to get your attention, becoming an expert in your niche is the best way to stand out. Ellen LaFleche Christian shares her story of how she became a niche blogger with multiple blogs, and provides her best tips on how you can do it, too. MORE >>

Angela Mackintosh chats with Mary McBeth, founder and editor-in-chief of Memoir Magazine, about the Craft of memoir, what she's looking for in submissions, Memoir Magazine's annual book contest, the state of memoir publishing, book proposals, and more. MORE >>

Have you ever written a dark character or story and found yourself rolling in a sea of trauma? Author Cindy Skaggs shares how writers can buffer the impact of writing on our mental health and avoid putting our readers into a negative spiral. MORE >>

Donna Essner chats with Senior Literary Agent Paula Munier with Talcott Notch Literary Agency about capturing an agent’s eye from the first page, query letters, publishing trends, nonfiction book proposals, and more. MORE >>

When you write, begin in media res, in the middle of things, so that you “hook” the reader into wanting to read more. A line like “it was a dark and stormy night” is clichéd but also passive. You want to create a more compelling opening. By Cindy Skaggs. MORE >>

Charity anthologies are a great way to raise money for the causes you feel strongly about. Amanda Nicholson shares her journey of publishing three anthologies for charity and offers guidance for authors looking to create their own. MORE >>

Do you enjoy pushing artistic boundaries? The Ekphrastic Review and The Mackinaw are seeking submissions. WOW! chats with founding editor Lorette C. Luzajic about what the journals are looking for and the art of writing ephrastic stories and prose poetry. Interview by Ashley Harris. MORE >>

Allison Lynn Flemming has had ten stories published with Chicken Soup for the Soul! In this article, Allison shares how she got started writing for Chicken Soup and some tips she’s learned along the way. MORE >>

Have you ever considered writing for the digital marketing niche? Jane Fazackarley covers this vast market, ripe with opportunities for writers. She shares how she got started, a pitch she uses to reach out to potential clients, and provides great tips for niching down and free resources to learn more. MORE >>

If you’re a short story writer, you’ll know that a bad ending to a book, film, or TV show is not just disappointing, but potentially ruinous to the story. Savannah Cordova shares some tips on crafting your story ending from her experience as a longtime judge for Reedsy’s weekly short story contest. Her article is packed with great examples and unique endings to try in your own work! MORE >>

WOW interviews Tom Bromley about his work as commissioning editor and ghostwriter, publishing trends, and his incredible novel writing course, How to Write a Novel. MORE >>

Author Julie Shackman shares her story of how she managed to achieve her dream of becoming a feel-good romance author, despite collecting hundreds of rejections—and how you can do it, too.  MORE >>

Jenna. Reese. Oprah. In their daydreams, authors imagine their book being announced as the selection for one of these high-profile book clubs that reach millions of readers. What if you aren’t on the radar for these ladies or another celeb/influencer-led book club? If you’ve been wondering how to include the book club circuit as an effective way of reaching out to potential readers, below are some helpful experiences from authors, publishers and book club moderators. MORE >>

True crime is a nonfiction genre of popular media that concerns real-life crimes. A work can focus on either a single case, such as a disappearance, murder, or sexual assault, or the collective acts of a single criminal, such as a serial killer. This genre places emphasis on a timeline of events and presentation of facts. Renee Roberson shares some tips for writing and researching true crime, as well as true crime markets to submit your stories. MORE >>

Do you pore over essays and articles that cover the health field? Do you have a chronic illness yourself or are you a caregiver for someone who does? If so, consider becoming a health writer. You’ll have the opportunity to help countless people by providing what may be life-saving information, for their physical as well as emotional wellbeing. By Ashley Harris. MORE >>

As a marginalized person or someone with a certain area of expertise, have you ever wanted to help screenwriters and authors with their manuscripts or screenplays? Then sensitivity reading may be the perfect freelance job for you. By Lara Ameen. MORE >>

Every author has played the game: Who Will Star in the Movie Version of my Book? It’s thrilling to imagine actors we know only from the red carpet bringing life to the world we created on the big screen—or the little screen—or the streaming screen. But there’s one question...how? By Jodi M. Webb. MORE >>

Are you drawn to articles discussing perfect gifts to buy for your special someone? Or do you love recommending products to family and friends that you are confident will improve their lives somehow? If that sounds familiar, consider becoming a commerce writer. These writers produce articles about shopping guides, deals to consider, and must-have products for a unique need. By Nicole Pyles. MORE >>

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Isabel Lineberry with Perez Literary and Entertainment, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Competition. MORE >>