Community Highlights

Barbara Henning Publishes New Poetry Book “Digigram”

August 25, 2020

Congratulations to instructor Barbara Henning, whose book of poetry Digigram was published with United Artists Books. A reviewer writes that Digigram “is unrelenting in its collaging of reality, visions, and thought buds. Sometimes diaristic and newsy, this is edgy poetry that moves beyond the tricks of fashion.”

Well done, Barbara!

Misha Penton publishes prose poem “After the Ball”

August 19, 2020

Congratulations to Misha Penton, whose prose poem “After the Ball” was published and recorded at Sword & Kettle. We love the way Misha’s prose poem sets the scene, with sparkling language like “chandelier of jasmine” and “sliver of sapphire sky.”

Margo Perin publishes new book of poetry

August 12, 2020

Congratulations to our instructor Margo Perin, who just released her latest book of poetry Plexiglass. Plexiglass explores the ironies of the criminal justice system, and it has received praise for its life and ability to “turn empty space to flesh.” 

Cheryl Caesar Wins “No-Age” Scholarship

August 4, 2020

Cheryl Caesar, who won the “no-age” scholarship to the Fine Arts Work Center Social Justice workshop, offered by Indolent Books. It will be offered in July 2021, in Provincetown, MA.

Congratulations to Cheryl!

Kimberly Lee’s story “Beautiful, Ordinary” gets republished in fresh.ink

July 24, 2020

Student Kimberly Lee’s flash story “Beautiful, Ordinary” was republished in fresh.ink! The story was originally published in Toasted Cheese as an Editor’s Choice. Says Kimberly: “I wrote ‘Beautiful, Ordinary’ in Barbara Hennings’ 2018 flash fiction class, ‘The Watching Eye.’ Pretty much everything I wrote in her class was published somewhere, and this piece was one of my favorites!” Congratulations, Kimberly!

Ariela Zucker launches a writing and photography course

July 23, 2020

Student Ariela Zucker has just started teaching her course Drawing With Light–Painting With Words through the Story Circle Network. The class helps writers and photographers engage in multimedia creativity through creative writing prompts and photography assignments. Congratulations, Ariela!

Karl Trautman publishes coming-of-age novel “Deacon Blues”

July 22, 2020

Karl Trautman recently published his novel Deacon Blues, a coming-of-age story about politics and growing up during the Carter Administration’s re-election campaign. Trautman received help for his novel in Shelley Singer’s Ongoing Fiction Workshop. Congratulations, Karl!

Lorraine Cregar’s poem “O Winter! My Winter!” published in The Writers Circle Journal

July 10, 2020

Lorraine Cregar received her first poem publication from The Writers Circle Journal! “O Winter! My Winter!” combines Whitman’s odic stylings with a modern sense of irony. Congratulations, Lorraine!

Is there a milestone in your writing that you'd like us to highlight? We'd love to hear about it!

Community Journal

Read poetry, fiction, and essays from our community members in the writers.com Community Journal. New issues published regularly.

Find Us on Social Media

Free Writing Resources


Ebook: Character Development: From Fundamentals to Flesh and Bone

Ebook: Writing With Confidence

Short Story ChecklistShort Story Checklist

editable poetry manuscript exampleEditable (.docx) Sample Formatted Poetry Manuscript

Join Our Newsletter to Access All Resources

For access to these free writing resources, join the writers.com newsletter, where we share new Writing Tips, community highlights, and upcoming course listings.

Publication Opportunities

guts publishing

Guts Publishing Open Submissions

UK-based Guts Publishing is seeking memoirs, autobiographies, autobiographical fiction, and other creative nonfiction work. Their preferences include work about art, music, travel, and cyber life, but all topics are welcome. Emerging and experimental writers are encouraged to apply. 

fabula press

Aestas Short Story Contest 2021

Fabula Press recently announced its 2021 short story competition, open to writers around the globe. Fiction writers are encouraged to submit a story of 2,000-6,000 words, and the winning story will be awarded US$500. See more details and apply below. 

eat darling eat

Submit to Eat, Darling, Eat

Do you write about mother-daughter relationships? Eat, Darling, Eat explores the cultural intersections of mother/daughterhood, and it’s currently open for 500 word submissions. Take a look at their many wonderful stories, and let us know if you submit your own work!

Clerestory Magazine

Open for Submissions: Clerestory Magazine

Clerestory Magazine, a journal dedicated to spirituality and the human experience, is currently open for submissions. Each publication centers around a certain theme of the human narrative; its current issue concerns Faith, and future issues are planned for Community, Ecology, etc. Stories should be first pitched via Clerestory’s website; all published works receive adequate payment. Take a look at their mission and submissions page!

pensive journal of spirituality

Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality and the Arts

Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality and the Arts seeks spiritual fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for their biannual publication. Based out of Northeastern University, Pensive seeks to broaden its readers’ understanding of the human spirit: its depth, endlessness, and timeless relationship to the arts. Check out their submission page for more information. 

moxy magazine

Open for Submissions: Moxy Magazine

Moxy Magazine is currently open for submissions. The journal seeks content related to creative nonfiction, including personal essays, critical theory, and travel writing. All submissions must conform to standard British English, and submissions will be reviewed within 3-4 weeks. Take a look at this great CNF project in the U.K.!

poets and writers

Project Grants for BIPOC Writers – Poets & Writers

Poets & Writers is offering grants to writers living in Detroit, Houston, or New Orleans. Writers must be black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) and have a writing project that requires external funding. These grants will primarily support online literary events and communities; see more details at their website. Applications are due September 30th!

something or other publishing

Short Story Competition – Something Or Other Publishing

Something Or Other Publishing has just announced their first annual short story contest. Writers can submit works of flash fiction, literary fiction, or nonfiction in 25 different categories, and all submitted works will be reviewed by both guest judges and public readers. Winners of this exciting competition will receive both cash prizes and an exclusive publishing opportunity from Something Or Other Publishing. Submit your work by October 10th!

Recent Student Testimonials

Barbara Ginsberg — Write Again

Never having taken a course through Writers.com, I had no idea what to expect, and frankly I was surprised by the quality of the experience. Amanda Oliver is an outstanding teacher. She clearly put much thought into the course structure and materials, and she also took care with her responses and feedback. High marks go as well to the user-friendly course interface.

Christina Roitto — Write Your First Chapbook

The class was a great start for me to get into poetry.

Selene Rising — Write Your Memoir in 16 Weeks!

Nora was intuitive, organized, and kind. I felt like she believed in my project and was invested in supporting my success and the success of others in the class. Because of Nora and this class, I’ve finished a memoir that was 15 years in the making. I am so grateful!

Constantine Ladikos — 30 Poems in 30 Days: Writing Japanese Poetic Forms

Miho is a force of nature! She crafted engaging lessons, created a wonderful vibe, and connected us students with a wide variety resources. Her feedback was extremely valuable and her passion for poetry was like a fire that lit up the class.

Rhonda Moskowitz — Write Your Memoir in 16 Weeks

Nora is a gifted writing instructor. She gave each of us a safe space to share our stories in-progress and give and receive invaluable feedback.

Randal Joy Thompson — Writing the Memoir-in-Essays: 8-Week Workshop

Margo Steines is a gifted and superb teacher. She is highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic and very dedicated. She understands the genre and her communication style is clear and concise. She exudes warmth and care also.

Jana Richman — Opening the Door to Poetry

This course was exactly what I was hoping for. It provided great study materials, inspiration for new work, and excellent critiques. The depth and quality of the feedback Jude provided exceeded all expectations. I’m so grateful I took this class.

Caroline Sojtori — The Poetry of Play

Joy is an outstanding teacher. I’ve taken several classes with her and every class is fun. Her feedback is positive and also specific, pointing out my strengths. My writing has improved greatly!

writers.com Courses Starting Soon:

Next-Level Creative Nonfiction: Elevating Essays, Memoir, Travel Writing & Literary Journalism

August 15, 2014

Elevate your memoir, travel writing, literary journalism, & lyric and personal essays.

The Ongoing Fiction Workshop

November 10, 2014

Many students have attended this 10-week online fiction workshop with Shelley Singer multiple times, completed novels, and come back to finish more books.

Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

November 12, 2014

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

November 12, 2014

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

Poetic Prose: The Prose Poem

November 17, 2014

Explore the border between prose poetry and flash fiction. For writers of fiction, poetry, essay and memoir.