A LITERARY MAGAZINE IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE LOW-RESIDENCY MFA AT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

heartwood literary magazine
is an alumni-run semi-annual online literary publication in association with the low-residency MFA program at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia. HeartWood was founded in 2015 by graduate Danielle Kelly and guest poetry faculty member Mary Carroll-Hackett.

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HeartWood Literary Magazine

Poetry: Poets should submit no more than 3-5 single-spaced poems at a time. Include all poems in a single document (doc or docx) for upload. Lyric, narrative, experimental, prose poems--we're open to all variations of the poetic voice.
If you wish to share a longer work of prose, please submit a query first. Submissions that exceed word count or don't meet other guidelines will not be considered.

Poetry

Creative Nonfiction: We're open to a wide range of nonfiction, with the exception of academic articles, or that which would be considered more traditionally journalistic. Personal essay, memoir, lyric, literary journalism, or some blurring in between, are all acceptable. Prose submissions should not exceed 3000 words.

Creative Nonfiction

Fiction: Fiction submissions may include short stories, flash fiction, or novel excerpts if the excerpt can stand alone. You may submit more than one piece of flash fiction, as long as the total word count does not exceed 3000 words.
If you wish to share a longer work of prose, please submit a query first. Submissions that exceed word count or don't meet other guidelines will not be considered.

Fiction

First Place

 $150

 Judge next year’s HeartWood Poetry Prize
Second & Third

 $50

 

 

 2026 Judge

Winner of the 2025 HeartWood Poetry Prize, Elizabeth Rae Bullmer

 

 GUIDELINES

HeartWood Literary Magazine

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