Website
Type Of Publisher
Press
Genres Published
Poetry
Year Established
1974
Address
Washington, DC
Mission Statement / Editorial Focus
We have published over 150 poetry titles since 1975, among which are four specialized imprints: The Washington Prize, the Hilary Tham Capital Collection (open to poets who volunteer to further the cause of literature), The Tenth Gate Prize (for mid-career poets), and International Editions (contemporary poetry translations). We support our poets with generous author and review copies and by encouraging authors to return to us with their subsequent manuscripts. A proud member of CLMP, we launch our new titles each year at AWP. Our Mission Statement: "THE WORD WORKS is a nonprofit literary and educational organization dedicated to the support and perpetuation of contemporary poetry and literature for the cultural enrichment of humankind. It operates without discrimination regarding gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any classification protected by State or Federal discrimination laws. The Word Works carries out its mission through book publication, competitions, special projects, and public programs. Developing audience for poetry is a critical goal in its effort to promote and support outstanding literary work."
Accepts Unsolicited Submissions
Yes
Submission Guidelines URL
Reading Period
Varies 01 / 7 / 15 -15
Response Time
04 - 08 months
Author Payments
royalties, cash, copies
Contests
The Word Works Washington Prize (since 1979)
The Tenth Gate Prize (since 2015)
Distributors
SPD, Ingram, Baker & Taylor
Do You Have Any Cover Letter Advice?
No cover letters, just a brief bio and acknowledgments list in the "Comments" box visible at the time of submission, online. All reading is "anonymous" for all manuscripts submitted, and bio/acks are not visible until decisions are complete.
What Do You Look For In A Submission?
Originality, craft, music, and courage. We look for no one style or school of work; our list contains books that are themed, others not. Some are experimental, others narrative, others lyrical. Some transcend category completely.
What Advice Do You Have For First-time Submitters?
Be the meticulous, wild, brave, deep writer you want to read. Be patient and persistent. Ask your friends with publications what they wish they'd done differently!
Do You Have A Favorite Unsolicited Submission Discovery Or Anecdote?
One of our most successful books had submitted the same manuscript three years running before it even made it to the semi-finalist level. And then it won our biggest prize. This is why we route manuscripts to new readers if they return to try again.
Who Is Your Ideal Reader?
Any person who wants a jolt, a rush, a comfort, a question, a moment of recognition coming in through word, image, music.
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