WOW! Writer’s Guidelines

WOW! welcomes queries from its audience of women writers. Please make sure you’ve read through our articles on the home page to get an idea of the style and tone of our publication before submitting a query. Remember, each e-zine issue focuses on a theme.

Please note: we are no longer accepting general queries and submissions—they must fit within one of our upcoming themes. Please see “Upcoming Themes” below.

We publish a monthly e-zine newsletter to e-mail subscribers. You can subscribe to our e-mail newsletter and/or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @womenonwriting to keep up on the latest calls for submissions. We are also on Instagram @wow_womenonwriting and Pinterest @womenonwriting.

Upcoming Themes:

Theme: Self-Publishing Topics
Issue 92: July/August 2019

Deadline for queries: May 8, 2019

We’ve published e-zine issues on self-publishing before (like this one: DIY Self-Publishing; and these two fabulous articles we recently published on Self-Publishing here and here), but there are so many topics that need exploring and publishing platforms are frequently changing. Ideas include: Mastering Amazon, self-publishing services reviews, book formatting, metadata, and more. We’d love some round-ups with authors who’s self-published successfully for this issue.

Theme: Dark and Twisty (Mystery, Thriller, Speculative, Horror, and More)
Issue 93: October/November 2019

Deadline for queries: July 16, 2019

Gillian Flynn is the master of the twist, but how does she (and other authors) do it? We’re looking for how-tos on writing the twist, plotting twists and turns, red herrings, diversions, suspense, writing horror, mystery/thriller, true crime, and more. We’re mostly looking for craft articles, but round-ups with authors on these topics would be great, genre trends, interviews, and anything else you can think of. Reading a jaw-dropping, unexpected twist is one of my favorite things to do, and twists are so hard to write!

Please sign up for our e-mail newsletter for more upcoming themes and submission opportunities.

Article Queries:

If you have an idea for one of our themes, please query us. We are particularly looking for how-tos on a variety of writing and publishing topics, and interviews/round-ups with acquiring editors/literary agents/publishers. All articles must have takeaway value for fellow writers.

Word Count and Pay Rates:

Articles range anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 words—whatever length is necessary to cover the topic. Pay is arranged between the writer and editor for the piece, but most articles pay $50 or $75. In-depth pieces that require many different sources to cover the topic and have a higher word count pay $150. Pay is on publication by PayPal only. When your submission is published, you will receive a “live link” email notification and instructions for invoicing via PayPal.

Rights:

We require first rights and the right to archive the article indefinitely. After one month from the date of publication, rights revert back to the author and the author retains all copyrights to her work and she may re-publish the article elsewhere.

We do not accept reprints/previously published work. If you would like to repurpose a previously published article, please notify us at the time of your query and include the proposed changes that will make it specifically suited to WOW. Acceptance is not guaranteed and is up to the discretion of the editorial board.

By submitting your work to WOW!, you are agreeing to these rights and terms.

How to Query:

In the subject line of your email, please include the word “Query,” and write your article pitch in the body of your email. Also include which e-zine theme you are pitching in your email subject line. WE DO NOT OPEN ATTACHMENTS. Because of the high volume of spam we receive daily, emails that are not clearly addressed with the appropriate subject line may be deleted without being read. Please note: we are looking for article pitches and will not respond to general emails. Please do NOT send an email that says, "I want to write for you." Please send a fully fleshed out article pitch tailored to one of our e-zine themes.

We are looking for query letters that have a fully fleshed-out article idea, a rough breakdown of the content of the piece you are proposing with subheads and bullet points, and any expert sources you will be interviewing, if applicable. Please also include your bio, links to published clips, and any other information or links you feel are appropriate for our consideration.

Editorial Response:

WOW! has grown exponentially since its launch September 2006. While we are excited by the incredible interest from so many talented freelancers, we have found the need to amend our editorial response procedures.

We receive hundreds of emails every month to our submission address and can no longer respond to every one we receive. We will respond to freelancers whose queries show WOW! spirit, knowledge and understanding of our audience, a solid, fleshed-out article or interview idea, and which fit into our editorial schedule.

If you do not hear from us, please understand that it is not a disparagement against your writing, it is most likely that your submission does not suit our needs at this time. You are welcome to follow up.

Send your article pitch to:

submissions[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com

Response times vary but we try to get back with you within 1 month. If you haven't heard anything after that time, please e-mail and mention your article pitch.

Good luck! And we look forward to your pitch.