WestWord Journal

A project of Retreat West (see other related projects).

About

WestWord is more than a literary journal — it’s a movement dedicated to publishing micro fiction, flash fiction, and short stories that heal, connect, and transform. Born from the merger of Retreat West (founded 2012) and WestWord (launched 2022), we combine over a decade of award-winning publishing expertise with a passionate commitment to meaningful storytelling.
We believe literature can be medicine for our fractured world. That's why we seek stories that build bridges instead of walls, that remind us of our shared humanity, and that inspire compassion in divided times.
WestWord publishes exceptional micro fiction, flash fiction, and short stories that matter. We're looking for work that combines literary excellence with heart, stories that linger long after the final sentence and leave readers more connected to themselves and the world around them.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions, except for a few free submission vouchers available. (Note: About 8% of magazines always charge fees.)
The fee range is GBP £5 to £7 (above average for magazines that charge).

Country of Publication & Year Established

United Kingdom

Established in 2022

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Published 3 x per year

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed

6 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Faster: WestWord Journal's overall average response time is faster than most magazines.

Learn more about our statistics

Fiction Open Fee-based

Dates:

Rolling Deadlines: Check cutoff dates.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Unknown number of pieces.
Short Story: 1,000 - 3,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Theme:

Mirror (30 Sep 2026*)

Payment:

No monetary payment Royalties No monetary payment. Royalties. Details: Accepted writers will share 50% of the net submission fees received.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.
* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for WestWord Journal

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Social:
Bluesky @retreatwest.bsky.social

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For the Editor(s):
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Link to Duotrope

WestWord Journal Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

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Accuracy

We have received 9 reports from 8 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Days Reported

1 min | 26.6 mean avg | 19.0 median | 56 max days (19.0 std dev)

Pending

2 responses are pending (39 min | 57.0 mean avg | 57.0 median | 75 max days waiting | 25.5 std dev) from 2 different members

Other Information

The most common submission fee paid: GBP £5.00.
Most recent response reported was received on 19 May 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 30 Apr 2026.
Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 03:50 UTC (5 hours, 25 minutes ago).

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Retreat West First Chapter Competition DNQ
The Retreat West Flash Fiction Prize CLOSED
The Retreat West Micro Fiction Prize CLOSED
The Retreat West Novel Prize CLOSED
The Retreat West Opening Lines Competition DNQ
The Retreat West Short Story Prize CLOSED
Retreat West Themed Flash Fiction Competition CLOSED
Unpublished Writer Edition CLOSED
WestWord 1000 Word Photo Contest CLOSED
Westword Christmas Countdown Competition

WestWord Flash Focus Feature
WestWord Hermit Crab Prize CLOSED
WestWord Micro Fiction Prize CLOSED
WestWord Mini Memoir Series
WestWord Monthly Micro Fiction Writing Competition CLOSED
WestWord Past Times Prize CLOSED
WestWord Prize
WestWord Short Story Prize
WestWord Short Story Spotlight
WestWord Story Sunday CLOSED

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
Be professional, patient, and persistent.

Dates

Last Updated: 28 Aug 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.