WTR seek poems that perform Olympic feats with language that  leave a reader in wonder while still referring back to the basic things  that make us human. We want powerful imagery and enjoy the juxtaposition  of images in interesting and unexpected ways.
 We want poems that make the reader think and feel, work that humbles us  with its joy, humor, embarrassment, anger, hope, grief, or all of the  above, and gravitate toward writing that has something important to  teach us--something that readers really need to know, but might not have  understood this was a need until the last word of the work.




NOTE: Submissions which do not meet the following guidelines will not be considered:
 

• All submissions must be previously unpublished and are limited to five poems per reading period and must be accompanied by a cover letter and a biography of no more than 150 words. Work submitted without a biography will not be considered.
• In your cover letter, please mention your social media handles (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).  If you have a website dedicated to your writing, please include the link in your letter.
• Include a clear title for each poem.
• Submit poems as one reading packet and place what you consider your stronger work at the front of the group.
• Enter the title of each poem as your packet's submission title.
• Work must be submitted as a Microsoft Word file. 

Submit only once per reading period.  


While we offer free submissions the first week of each month (April to December), general submissions are typically $3 (to cover administrative costs).  

You may also choose to receive a quick decision about your work for $10, and may also receive a quick decision about your work along with personalized feedback from the editors for $25 (1.5-2 pages).   The response time for both expedited and personalized options is approximately 2 weeks.


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