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
The Jean Feldman Poetry Prize
Open to all residents of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The contest is open to new, upcoming, and established writers. Previously published collections are not eligible, including self-published collections available as ebooks or in print.
All manuscript contests are judged by previous winners who volunteer their time and skills. All manuscripts are read blind. Winner and finalists will be announced by November 1. We aim to publish books from this manuscript cycle in January 2028.
$1,500 award, publication, 25 author copies, editorial guidance, and launch support
50-80 pages in length, single or 1 1/2 spaced. Read Chanlee Luu's The Machine Autocorrects Code to I, K. Avvirin Berlin’s Leda’s Daughters, Tonee Mae Moll’s You Cannot Save Here, or Steven Levya’s The Understudy’s Handbook for examples of our recent award-winning WWPH poetry collections.
Do not include your name, address, or other identifying information on the submitted document; manuscripts must be anonymous.
Please list your name as you would like to appear in print.
A table of contents and acknowledgments page (including publications in which poems from the manuscript have appeared previously) should be included.
Proof work carefully. More details on the WWPH Style sheet, which can be found here. Although winners can expect to collaborate with a WWPH writer/editor prior to publication, we are seeking completed, polished manuscripts.
One submission per category. Once submitted, manuscripts cannot be altered.
Simultaneous submissions to other publishers are permitted, but please notify us immediately if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere. Only poets who have not published books with us are invited to enter this category.
All entries are via Submittable. Entry fee is $28.00 via submittable.
More questions. Please check out the FAQs on our website. Or email us at wwphpress@gmail.com
The Washington Writers' Publishing House Fiction Prize
Open to all residents of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The contest is open to new, upcoming, and established writers. Previously published manuscripts not eligible, including self-published collections available as ebooks or in print.
All manuscript contests are judged by previous winners who volunteer their time and skills, WWPH is a non-profit cooperative press reflecting the culture and diversity of DC, Maryland, and Virginia. All manuscripts are read blind.
Prizes include $1,500, publication, 25 copies, editorial guidance, and launch support. Typically, launch support includes readings held at Politics & Prose in its main store in D.C. and at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda. Winner and finalists will be announced by November 1. We aim to publish our books from this manuscript contest cycle in January of 2028.
Submit a novel or a collection of short stories and/or novellas. Read Varun Gauri's For The Blessings of Jupiter and Venus, Len Kruger’s Bad Questions: A Novel, Suzanne Feldman’s The Witch Bottle & Other Stories, or Adam Schwartz’s The Rest of the World for examples of our recent award-winning WWPH fiction.
Manuscripts must be a minimum of 150 pages to a maximum of 250 pages. 12-point type, double-spaced. Times New Roman font. The word count is 37,500 to 70,000 words.
A synopsis and book overview must be included with your work. Find specific details on this request here.
Proof work carefully. More details on the WWPH Style sheet, which can be found here. Although winners can expect to collaborate with a WWPH writer/editor prior to publication, we are seeking completed, polished manuscripts.
Do not include your name, address, or other identifying information on the submitted documents; manuscripts and synopses/overviews must be anonymous. Multiple submissions are permitted if submitted separately, each with a submission fee. Once submitted, manuscripts cannot be altered.
Simultaneous submissions to other publishers are permitted, but please notify us immediately if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere. Only writers who have not published books with us are invited to enter this category. One submission per category.
All entries are via Submittable. Entry fee is $28.00 via submittable.
Question? Look at the FAQs on our website. Or please email us at wwphpress@gmail.com.
Literary Nonfiction Prize
Open to all residents of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The contest is open to new, upcoming, and established writers.
All manuscript contests are judged by previous winners who volunteer their time and skills. All manuscripts are read blind. Winners and finalists will be announced by November 1. Books will be published in January 2028.
$1,500 award, publication, 25 author copies, editorial guidance, and launch support
We are particularly interested in literary nonfiction that intersects the personal and the political. Read the memoirs of Bernardine Watson and Megan Doney as examples of literary nonfiction that the Washington Writers’ Publishing House has published to date. In 2026, we are also interested in hybrid works in this category, which incorporate literary nonfiction.
Manuscripts must be a minimum of 150 pages to a maximum of 250 pages in length. Formatted in 12-point type, New Times Roman font, double-spaced. The word count is 37,500 to 70,000 words.
Proof work carefully. More details on the WWPH Style sheet, which can be found here. Although winners can expect to collaborate with a WWPH writer/editor prior to publication, we are seeking completed, polished manuscripts.
A synopsis and book overview must be included with your work. Please find specific details on this request here.
Do not include your name, address, or other identifying information on the submitted documents; manuscripts and synopsis/book overview must be anonymous. Multiple submissions are permitted if submitted separately, each with a submission fee. Once submitted, manuscripts cannot be altered.
Simultaneous submissions to other publishers are permitted, but please notify us immediately if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.
All entries are via Submittable. Entry fee is $28.00 via submittable.
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