WTAW Press provides several opportunities to submit manuscripts for publication during open reading periods. To stay current with our open reading periods and other news, sign up for our newsletter.
We welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds and especially encourage submissions by women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ or nonbinary gender people, persons with disabilities, and all traditionally underrepresented groups. We welcome submissions from new, emerging, and established voices.
WTAW offers the annual Alcove Chapbook Series Open. Submissions of unpublished chapbooks of prose will be accepted for the competition June 30 through August 15, 2023. The winner will receive book publication, a $250 honorarium, and 25 copies of their book. All submissions will be considered for publication and finalists selected for publication will receive 10 copies of their books. There is a nonrefundable $15 fee. Read the guidelines carefully and be sure to follow them to the letter. Any submission that doesn't follow the guidelines will be disqualified and any fee forfeited.
WTAW will offer the annual Kevin McIlvoy Book Prize for a full-length book of prose (novel, memoir, creative nonfiction, collection of stories or essays, hybrid forms, etc.) Submissions were accepted September 15–November 15, 2023. There is a nonrefundable $28 fee. The winner will receive book publication with a standard publishing contract that pays royalties, a $2500 honorarium, and 25 copies of their book. All submissions will be considered for publication. Peter Turchi, Joan Silber, and Nina McConigley will serve as final judges. Guidelines for the Kevin McIlvoy Book Prize can be found on our website.
Betty Books is open December 1–31, 2023 for full-length books of prose by women. Please familiarize yourself with Betty and read through the guidelines on the website before sending in a manuscript. The nonrefundable submission fee is $28.
General guidelines for submissions. Be sure to read the guidelines specific to each publishing opportunity carefully.
We do not publish translations, how-to or self-help books, reference texts, YA, children's literature, or poetry. Previously published or self-published books are not eligible.
WTAW Press conducts reviews during which authors and reviewers are kept anonymous. Multiple reviewers—anonymous to one other and unable to read any other reviews—read each manuscript.
Identifying information for the author must not be included anywhere on the manuscript, including in the name of the file or in the title field in the submission manager. Manuscripts containing identifying information in any way will be automatically disqualified and any submission fee forfeited.
A manuscript in its entirety must be previously unpublished, though it may contain previously published portions. It should contain a majority of new work. Please acknowledge any portions of the manuscript that have been previously published in your cover letter, not within the manuscript itself. Manuscripts that include acknowledgements will be disqualified and any fee forfeited.
All material in manuscripts must be of the author’s own composition and free from copyright restrictions. We don't accept material generated by AI tools or language models.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but authors must notify WTAW immediately if their work is accepted elsewhere and must withdraw it in our submission manager.
Multiple submissions are welcome with each accompanied by a separate reading fee. Each submission must be unique.
Submissions cannot be edited once they are submitted. Manuscripts selected for publication will go through an editing process with the editors.
Manuscripts should be submitted as a .doc or. docx file in a 12-point standard font such as Times New Roman, double-spaced, with at one inch margins, and paginated. Include a title page with a total word count and a table of contents, as applicable.
Include a cover letter in the appropriate field in the submission manager and not within the manuscript file itself. Any manuscript that includes a cover letter will be disqualified and the fee forfeited.
Please provide the following information in your cover letter
- Your contact information (address, phone, email)
- The manuscript’s title, genre, and word count
- List of credits for any previously published portions
- A brief synopsis of the work (a paragraph)
- A brief biography with publishing history, if applicable; include your website address and social media handles
- Indication if the manuscript is submitted simultaneously and your pledge to withdraw it if accepted elsewhere
- Where you heard about the call for submissions
Any submission that doesn't follow the guidelines will be disqualified and the submission fee forfeited. Make sure to review the specific guidelines for each submission opportunity.
WTAW does not offer editorial comments on submissions. Editorial relationships with authors are developed once they have signed a contract. Every book accepted for publication receives careful, thorough, and sensitive editing, and necessitates the author's collaboration and commitment to the process.
WTAW Press responds to every manuscript it receives at the email address you use to submit your manuscript through Submittable. It can take time, so please be patient. Please note that Submittable will require you to validate your email address.
Thank you for considering WTAW Press. We look forward to reading your manuscripts.
Please familiarize yourself first with WTAW Press, Alcove Chapbook Series, and Betty Books.
Our positions offer a great opportunity for those who want to get involved in publishing or want to understand the operations of nonprofit organizations: students, recent graduates, aspiring writers, those who are changing careers, or those who seek to connect with writers and devote time to a literary life. Successful candidates will work closely with our director to gain or enhance hands-on experience and firsthand knowledge of the rewarding and challenging work of small press book publishing.
We look for candidates who are ambitious, curious, and detail-oriented; who possess excellent written, communication, and organizational skills; and who are excited about leaning into new opportunities with a willingness to embrace new challenges. We value proactive and positive attitudes; an interest in thinking creatively, collaboratively, and strategically; the ability to take initiative and to work well both independently and with others; and the capacity to juggle various deadlines.
Prior work experience in the literary arena or publishing is less important than the level of commitment and creativity applicants can bring to WTAW Press.
POSITIONS:
Events and Programs Management Assistant
WTAW, an award-winning literary nonprofit organization that publishes books of prose, is seeking an Events and Programs Management Assistant to join its team. The ideal candidate will have experience within events and programs management, specifically within literary arts organizations and/or presses and/or education. Reporting to the Director, the Events and Programs Management Assistant will be responsible for organizing, growing, and promoting WTAW's in-person and virtual programs and events.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in developing WTAW's programming, including educational offerings, events at conferences and festivals, and virtual readings
- Assist in coordinating logistics for in-person and virtual events and programs
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with other literary arts organizations, including education, and/or presses
- Familiarity with educational and event management platforms
Social Media Assistant: WTAW
WTAW, an award-winning literary nonprofit organization that publishes books of prose, is seeking a Social Media Assistant to join its team. The ideal candidate will have experience within communications and social media management, specifically with nonprofit organizations or literary arts organizations, publications, or presses. Reporting to the Director, the Social Media Assistant will be responsible for maintaining and updating WTAW's social media channels. **This is a paid position funded by a private philanthropic foundation.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain the social media calendar
- Create and curate collateral and graphics for social media platforms
- Maintain social best practices to engage readers and literary community
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with other literary arts organizations, publications, or presses
- Familiarity with and enthusiasm for building community through social media
- Basic graphic design skills using Canva or similar tools
Social Media Assistant/Intern: Betty Books
Betty Books, the new imprint of WTAW Press—an award-winning literary nonprofit organization that publishes books of prose—is seeking a Social Media Assistant to join its team. The ideal candidate will have experience within communications and social media management, specifically within nonprofit organizations or literary arts organizations, publications, or presses. Reporting to the Director, the Social Media Assistant will be responsible for assisting in the launch of Betty's social media channels, and in developing and maintaining Betty's social media presence.
Prospective assistants/interns should enjoy social media and content-creation, particularly literary and writing-related content (and that which supports women's voices), and either be actively engaged or enthusiastic about becoming actively engaged with those communities online.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in launching and building Betty's presence on various social media platforms
- Assist in developing and engaging Betty’s community
- Create and curate graphics and collateral for social media platforms
- Maintain social best practices to engage readers and literary community
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with other literary arts organizations, publications, and/or presses
- Experience with or enthusiasm for organizations in support of making women's voices heard
- Familiarity with and enthusiasm for building community through social media platform
- Basic graphic design skills using Canva or similar tools
Publishing Assistant
WTAW Press, an award-winning literary nonprofit organization that publishes books of prose, is seeking a Publishing Assistant to join its team. The ideal candidate will have experience within nonprofit organizations or literary arts organizations, publications, or presses. Reporting to the Director, the Publishing Assistant will assist with projects from all areas of our operation, including editorial, publicity, marketing, community engagement, and development. The Publishing Assistant will gain an overview of the current publishing climate and the nature of independent publishing, including the stages of book publishing, from acquisition to post-publication, as well as the operational nuts and bolts and nitty-gritty details of running a small nonprofit business.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in preparation of work for publication, including shepherding books through the production process
- Assist in the design, development, and execution of publicity materials and marketing collateral
- Assist in the planning and execution of author events, publisher events, and fundraising activities
- Conduct relevant research and analysis
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with other literary arts organizations, publications, and/or presses
- Passion for publishing and curiosity about the inner workings of the publishing industry
- Knowledge of contemporary literature or genuine desire to develop it
- Interest in learning the business of publishing and/or the operations of small nonprofit organizations
ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL POSITIONS:
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
* Note: While most positions are not salaried, those who complete the minimum contractual period will receive a modest financial compensation. For interns who are in school and eligible to receive credit for participation in an internship, WTAW is glad to meet the necessary requirements.
WE CONSIDER APPLICATIONS ON A ROLLING BASIS.
TO APPLY:
To answer the questions, be prepared to provide:
- a brief introduction to yourself that includes why you're applying for the position(s), and that speaks to the qualifications you would bring to WTAW
- a resume that outlines your experiences to date
Thank you your interest in joining WTAW Press.
If you're so inclined to support the activities of WTAW Press, we gratefully accept.
Please note: this is not an opportunity to submit a manuscript.
Manuscripts are only accepted during our open reading periods and through the direct categories reserved for submissions. If you don't see any categories for submitting a manuscript, try another time. You can keep up with our open submission periods on our website and by signing up for our newsletter.
Thank you for your support!