Welcome to Whim & Wander!
We are a reader-supported and ad-free literary journal that exists only here on Substack! Our mission is simple: to bring a little more imagination into a world that’s forgotten how to wonder.
We’re thrilled you’re here. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect and how to submit your work.
But real quick, before you go… have you heard about the giveaway we’re running? Be sure to enter before it ends this week! ↓
A Giveaway to Celebrate 1,000
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Jul 10
When we started this little journal, we never imagined that we would so quickly find this many of you wandering alongside us. Yet here you are: readers, writers, and dreamers from all over the world, and we recently hit a number we didn’t think we’d see so soon:
Save this post, share it with your friends. Help us spread the word!
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Thank you to all who submitted in July! Though we took in more pieces than ever before, submissions still filled up incredibly fast (we expect a similar turnaround this time, too, so be sure to have your pieces ready to go.)
In August, we will be publishing two stories and two poems. They will land in your inbox each Wednesday — on the 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.
We hope you are just as excited to read them as we are!
Now, onto submissions…
Writers may submit via a Google forms link, so be sure to have your story ready as a .pdf, .doc, or .docx format.
Submissions will remain open until we reach our cap. (Spots have historically filled within the first day, so don’t dilly dally!)
Adults from anywhere in the world may submit. (English only)
We don’t take previously published work, though work shared on personal blogs/Substack/website is allowed.
All writers will hear back from us by the end of the month!
For more details about what we are looking for, click the button below.
Four pieces will be selected to be shared the following month, in August! We are looking for:
Short stories (up to 5,000 words)
Flash fiction (under 1,000 words)
Poetry
We plan to expand the genres we offer in the future as our support grows!
We are currently paying $20 per short story and $10 per poem, via PayPal, within one week of publication.
This amount, as well, we hope to increase in the future.
We promise that Whim & Wander will always be free to read and submissions will never cost a dime.
However, to keep our journal running, we rely upon readers like you. If you believe the Internet needs more light (like us!) consider becoming a paid subscriber to help us create it.
In return, you’ll get an exclusive newsletter each month, straight from the Editor, that includes several things:
Early submission access: Since submissions fill up fast, this allows our paid subscribers to ensure they don’t miss out. You get to be first in line!
From the Editor’s Desk: Real-time insight based on the most recent round of submissions — common mistakes, trends, and what made the strongest pieces stand out.
Things to Try: A handful of writing prompts, challenges, or ideas to try in your own writing.
Something Sweet: A little poem or brief piece, just to brighten your day.
A Dash of Whimsy: Ideas for bringing more whimsy and wonder into everyday life. This might include seasonal crafts, book recommendations, mindfulness tips, and whatever we’re loving that month!
Want to support us with a one-time donation? Click the button below!
So work your magic and get ready to send in your wonderful little tales and poetry!
And from the bottom of our hearts, thank you again for being at the start of something we hope will last for years.
We can’t wait to read your stories!
Don’t leave without checking out the pieces we published this month!
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