Washington Writers' Publishing House
Washington Writers' Publishing House publishes poetry and prose (fiction or CNF) in a biweekly journal, WWPH Writes. The journal is featured on our website on the second and fourth Friday of every month. We are happy to consider never-published original prose (fiction or CNF) and poetry as well as reprints from recent or upcoming collections from writers living in Washington, D.C. Maryland and Virginia. We do not charge for submissions, but there is an optional tip jar to help us maintain the site.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Please read all of the following guidelines carefully.
Eligibility: You must be a resident of the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia.
Prose - either short fiction or creative nonfiction, or a novel excerpt: Send one story or novel excerpt up to 1,000 words. Double-spaced, standard 12-point font. Please identify on your manuscript fiction or CNF. Word doc is preferred.
Poetry: Send a single file containing 1-3 poems (max. 5 pages). Standard 12-point font.
PLEASE NOTE: You may re-publish your work that appears on the site after 60 days, and we ask that you credit us in future publications.
Be sure to withdraw your submission immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.
INQUIRIES: Email our editors at: wwphpress@gmail.com
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House, is a non-profit, cooperative literary organization that has published over 100 volumes of poetry since 1975 as well as fiction and nonfiction. The press sponsors three annual competitions for writers living in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and the winners of each category (one each in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction) comprise our annual slate. In 2021, WWPH launched an online literary journal, WWPH WRITES to expand our mission to further the creative work of writers in our region. In 2024, WWPH launched our biennial works in translation series. More about the Washington Writers' Publishing House at www.washingtonwriters.org
Washington Writers Publishing House publishes new poetry biweekly on our website and newsletter.
We are happy to consider never-published original poetry from writers living in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Submit 1-3 poems in ONE Word document not to exceed 5 pages. 12-point type, single-spaced.
Please provide a cover letter addressed to the appropriate editor with a biography of 30 words or less.
Please list your name as you would like it to appear in print.
Please limit your submission to once every year (two years for accepted poets) except for special calls or contests.
Payment
We are committed to paying authors. We are paying $25 for each piece. We only will send payments via snail mail check payment (this payment excludes reprints).
About half of our writers opt to waive payment as a way to support WWPH. Like many small literary journals, WWPH Writes is a labor of love. All support goes directly into increasing visibility for the writers we publish and their work. If you are interested in either option, please let us know.
Washington Writers Publishing House will be publishing new prose biweekly on WWPH Writes, our lit magazine available online and sent via email to over 1,500 subscribers.
We are happy to consider never-published original short fiction or CNF as well as reprints from recent or upcoming collections from writers living in Washington, D.C. Maryland and Virginia. 1000 words or less; 12-point type, double-spaced. Please indicate on your manuscript if it is fiction or CNF.
Please note that the 1000-word limit is ONLY for WWPH Writes.
Contributors of original work will be paid $25.00 (this payment excludes reprints- we hope our support and promotion of previously published work shows our support).
Please limit your submission to once per year except for special calls or contests.
CAPITAL TRANSLATION: WWPH CELEBRATES LITERARY TRANSLATION IN THE DMV
“Without translation, we would be living in provinces bordering on silence.” – George Steiner
We are proud to announce a call for submissions for our third Capital Anthology, Capital Translation
THE WASHINGTON WRITERS’ PUBLISHING HOUSE celebrates language and languages. In the DMV, we live in a vibrant, multilingual soundscape where Spanish, Amharic, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic, Farsi, Creole, Chinese, Japanese, and countless other languages are spoken every day—on sidewalks, in homes, across classrooms, and through POEMS AND PROSE.
Capital Translation brings together writers, translators, and readers to explore how language shapes connection and creates space for creativity and exchange. Translation is the antithesis of silence and opens the doors to new rooms.
Submissions:
POEMS:
Submit up to 2 poems (include original and translation). Max of 5 pages.
PROSE (fiction or nonfiction) up to 500 words (include original and translation). This can be an individual piece or an excerpt from a larger work.
Only previously unpublished English translations. No AI-generated work ever accepted. ONE submission per author please. No identifying information on the submission document.
Rolling submission period: 6/1/26 until 9/1/26 (or we reach our maximum translations). Submissions are via Submittable. FREE to submit.
Guidelines
- Translators who are residents of DC, Maryland, and Virginia are invited to submit translations of poetry or prose.
- Previously published English translations are not eligible.
- Please include both the original poem and the translation.
- Please indicate if the original has been published (book, chapbook, journal).
- Translators must hold the necessary rights and permissions for the original work and the translation unless it is in the public domain. If accepted, verification of rights will be required.
- Please accompany your submission with a cover letter that includes a translator biography, author biography, and a brief statement that explains the value and timeliness of the translation in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
- Self-translations are acceptable.
- Living original authors/translators strongly preferred.
- Free to submit.
- Read our most recent mini-anthologies in the ‘Capital’ series to see a sampling of our literary excellence. These are: CAPITAL QUEER (2025) and CAPITAL LOVE (2026).
All Languages Accepted!
Manuscripts are judged by WWPH members who volunteer their time and skills. All manuscripts are read blind. Accepted authors will be notified on or about 10/1/26. We aim to publish Capital Translation in May 2027.
We strongly encourage those who have never been published by WWPH to submit!
Payment: $25.00 per contributor and 1 contributor copy
Target Publication date: May 2027
Washington Writers’ Publishing House celebrates translation as both a literary art and a bridge—honoring the many languages, voices, and traditions that shape the cultural life of our region, our capital, and our nation. In a city defined by global exchange, translation expands literary conversation beyond borders and reminds us that language is not a barrier, but a meeting place. Through poetry, fiction, and creative dialogue, translation invites readers into new ways of seeing the world while preserving the richness of distinct cultures and histories.
Many voices, one world. Capital Translation celebrates DC, Maryland, and Virginia writers who translate poetry and prose from around the world.
More questions? Please review the FAQs on our website. Or email us at wwphpress@gmail.com
Worlds Beyond: Poetry and Fiction Literary Contest
Submit your literary speculative fiction or poetry that takes us beyond the ordinary, specifically, beyond this world. Please limit your submission to one in either fiction or poetry.
Special judge: Myna Chang
Opens: August 1st-September 15th
PRIZES: $100 first prize/$50 runner-up in each category. Publication for all in an October issue of WWPH WRITES, our out-of-this-world lit mag.
Free to submit.
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Fiction Guidelines:
- Submit up to 750 words of literary speculative, sci-fi, fantasy, or horror that takes us beyond ordinary or beyond this world.
- Please exclude personally identifying information from your submission document. Name in the cover letter is okay.
- One winner and finalist in fiction will be published online in WWPH WRITES, the bi-weekly literary magazine in October.
Poetry Guidelines:
- Submit ONE poetic work of speculative, sci-fi, fantasy, or horror –up to 40 lines.
- Please exclude personally identifying information from your submission document. Name in the cover letter is okay.
- One winner and finalist in poetry will be published online in WWPH WRITES, the bi-weekly literary magazine in October.
Only one submission per person, please.
Entries will be judged on creativity — and literary quality. Hint: we will lean into character, voice, style, and overall spark of inspiration to go beyond this world.
All entries will be considered for future publication. We look forward to reading your work!
More questions? Please review the FAQs on our website. Or email us at wwphpress@gmail.c