Literary Journal

Winning Writers

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About the magazine

Winning Writers is a literary arts organization founded in 2000 by Jendi Reiter and Adam Cohen, dedicated to supporting poets and writers through a suite of annual contests, including the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest, the Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest, and the North Street Book Prize. The organization emerged from a commitment to discover and reward emerging voices, with a particular emphasis on humor, accessibility, and the democratization of literary recognition. Its core mission is to provide writers at all stages of their careers with tangible incentives—cash prizes, publication, and public validation—while fostering a community that values wit, craft, and perseverance.

Submitting your work

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Writers should carefully review each contest's guidelines, as themes and formats vary—humor poetry for Wergle Flomp, for instance, demands genuine wit and originality rather than mere jokes. Winning Writers values clarity, adherence to word limits, and a distinct voice; avoid overly experimental or opaque work unless the contest explicitly invites it. Since some contests have no entry fee, competition can be high, so polish your submission and consider multiple entries if allowed. Keep an eye on deadlines and results timelines, and use the organization's resources on contest scams and ethical practices to navigate the broader literary landscape.