Editor Interview: The Worcester Review

Engaging new work.

Copper Nickel, The Missouri Review, The Massachusetts Review, Booth, Moist Poetry Journal, X-R-A-Y, Southern Indiana Review, The Fiddlehead, Sixth Finch . . . and so many more!

The Worcester Review includes both creative writing and critical writing (on an aspect of Central Massachusetts literary/cultural history) in each issue. Our editors have eclectic tastes and varied backgrounds, so TWR features varied and eclectic work. We're always delighted to publish new and emerging writers.

The same advice other editors give: read! Read as much work as you can, not only in TWR but in other journals, too.

Poetry and fiction that surprise us.

We occasionally receive more than the requested number of poems, or a story much longer than our word limit.

The cover letter is not a factor in our decision-making process, but we do appreciate when the editors are addressed correctly (not as "Dear Sirs"---which has happened!), and when submitters follow the guidelines (i.e., including a 3-sentence bio). Previous publication credits may be included in the bio, of course, but we are delighted when we have the chance to publish a writer's first story or poem.

The Worcester Review is run by volunteers, not an MFA program, so we all read whenever we can find the time away from day jobs and other commitments.

Yes, we nominate for the Pushcart Prize.