Retreat West / WestWord
@retreatwest.bsky.social
All about writing great stories. Courses, competitions, workshops and a friendly online community. WestWord literary journal. Spread love with your words 💙
https://www.retreatwest.co.uk
https://westword.substack.com
https://www.retreatwest.co.uk
https://westword.substack.com
Pinned
WestWord | Amanda Saint | Substack
WestWord Lit Mag publishes great micro fictions, flash fictions and short stories. Click to read WestWord, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
westword.substack.com
🧵🧵🧵🧵
Hey storytellers we have oodles of opportunities for you to get published in WestWord!
Check them all out in this submissions info thread and tell everyone you know!
👇👇👇👇
#shortstory #flashfiction #submissions #amwriting
Hey storytellers we have oodles of opportunities for you to get published in WestWord!
Check them all out in this submissions info thread and tell everyone you know!
👇👇👇👇
#shortstory #flashfiction #submissions #amwriting
This is such a good idea for a workshop! Join @dublinwriter.bsky.social as you navigate tough times through the prism of creativity
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...
Book here for £10 – Writing Our Way Through Negative Times – Zoom
Negativity and hardship come at all of us from different directions, and affect us all in different ways. In this workshop we w...
www.tickettailor.com
May 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is such a good idea for a workshop! Join @dublinwriter.bsky.social as you navigate tough times through the prism of creativity
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
WestWord Prize 2025 Shortlist
The stories we’ll be publishing are...
westword.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
WestWord Prize 2025 Shortlist
The stories we’ll be publishing are...
westword.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Have I mentioned our brand new flash contest? For folklore inspired stories up to 400 words. Closing tomorrow 23:59
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
Folktale Flash Contest
This annual competition is for flash fiction stories inspired by folktales, myths, legends, fables and fairytales.
westword.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Have I mentioned our brand new flash contest? For folklore inspired stories up to 400 words. Closing tomorrow 23:59
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
ICYMI - start your week right with this stonking story!
I’m so thrilled to see my quiet little story, “Handle with Care”, out in the world! A thousand thanks to @rfpress.bsky.social for believing in it. Thanks also to @retreatwest.bsky.social for giving me the prompt and to @ruralunease.bsky.social for helping me get it polished! 💕🙏
Gooooooooooooood morning! Guess what time it is?
Four Score & 84 is live right now. Tell the first person you see in a powdered wig or somethin'.
www.roifaineantpress.com/blog
Four Score & 84 is live right now. Tell the first person you see in a powdered wig or somethin'.
www.roifaineantpress.com/blog
April 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
ICYMI - start your week right with this stonking story!
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
I’m so thrilled to see my quiet little story, “Handle with Care”, out in the world! A thousand thanks to @rfpress.bsky.social for believing in it. Thanks also to @retreatwest.bsky.social for giving me the prompt and to @ruralunease.bsky.social for helping me get it polished! 💕🙏
Gooooooooooooood morning! Guess what time it is?
Four Score & 84 is live right now. Tell the first person you see in a powdered wig or somethin'.
www.roifaineantpress.com/blog
Four Score & 84 is live right now. Tell the first person you see in a powdered wig or somethin'.
www.roifaineantpress.com/blog
April 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I’m so thrilled to see my quiet little story, “Handle with Care”, out in the world! A thousand thanks to @rfpress.bsky.social for believing in it. Thanks also to @retreatwest.bsky.social for giving me the prompt and to @ruralunease.bsky.social for helping me get it polished! 💕🙏
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
I hope lots of you are using this final weekend to polish your modern takes on fairytales and fables for our brand new competition
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
Folktale Flash Contest
This annual competition is for flash fiction stories inspired by folktales, myths, legends, fables and fairytales.
westword.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
I hope lots of you are using this final weekend to polish your modern takes on fairytales and fables for our brand new competition
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
I hope lots of you are using this final weekend to polish your modern takes on fairytales and fables for our brand new competition
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
Folktale Flash Contest
This annual competition is for flash fiction stories inspired by folktales, myths, legends, fables and fairytales.
westword.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
I hope lots of you are using this final weekend to polish your modern takes on fairytales and fables for our brand new competition
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...
See our Hermit Crab Prize judge in action!
Looking for a virtual workshop all about how the body transforms or disconnects depending on our character’s needs in flash?
Well I’ll be teaching that workshop over at Blue Stoop!
When: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: 4 - 5 PM (EST)
Register here!
www.bluestoop.org/events/tots-...
Well I’ll be teaching that workshop over at Blue Stoop!
When: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: 4 - 5 PM (EST)
Register here!
www.bluestoop.org/events/tots-...
Thursdays on the Stoop: Body Snatchers — Blue Stoop
Thursdays on the Stoop is a series of free, virtual writing workshops led for and by our community members. With topics ranging from generative prompts to editing strategies, these informal workshops ...
www.bluestoop.org
April 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
See our Hermit Crab Prize judge in action!
I've just made my submission? Who else is getting a last minute entry in today?
An update on countries FlashFlood has accepted flash from this year so far: UK, Netherlands, Italy, Canada, South Africa, UAE, France, Australia, India, New Zealand, Spain, Bangladesh, Greece, Germany, Ireland, US, Japan, The Channel Islands, Switzerland & Hong Kong. Can we add any more today?
a map of the earth shows the middle east and africa
ALT: a map of the earth shows the middle east and africa
media.tenor.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I've just made my submission? Who else is getting a last minute entry in today?
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
Each edition of Westword is free to read but did you know as a paid member there is so much more to access?
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
Memberships
Commit to your writing and become a paid member of WestWord and you can get submissions to all of our editions, prize categories and competitions included, plus workshops and craft articles to help yo...
westword.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Each edition of Westword is free to read but did you know as a paid member there is so much more to access?
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
And we're really excited to be hosting our first poetry workshop this month!
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Book here – Ways into Poetry – Zoom
Join us to get started, or continue, on your poetry journey.
This interactive workshop is suitable for experienced and beginner...
www.tickettailor.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
And we're really excited to be hosting our first poetry workshop this month!
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Each edition of Westword is free to read but did you know as a paid member there is so much more to access?
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
Memberships
Commit to your writing and become a paid member of WestWord and you can get submissions to all of our editions, prize categories and competitions included, plus workshops and craft articles to help yo...
westword.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Each edition of Westword is free to read but did you know as a paid member there is so much more to access?
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be!
westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
Wonderful news for our longlisted writers! Congratulations to everyone who recognises their title
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
Opening Lines Spring 2025 Longlist
www.retreatwest.co.uk
April 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Wonderful news for our longlisted writers! Congratulations to everyone who recognises their title
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
Wonderful news for our longlisted writers! Congratulations to everyone who recognises their title
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
Opening Lines Spring 2025 Longlist
www.retreatwest.co.uk
April 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Wonderful news for our longlisted writers! Congratulations to everyone who recognises their title
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
The shortlist for @retreatwest.bsky.social’s 2025 Hermit Crab Prize is here!
Congratulations to all the writers listed! I can’t wait to read your words 😍
open.substack.com/pub/westword...
Congratulations to all the writers listed! I can’t wait to read your words 😍
open.substack.com/pub/westword...
Shortlist: Hermit Crab Prize
The finalists are...
open.substack.com
April 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The shortlist for @retreatwest.bsky.social’s 2025 Hermit Crab Prize is here!
Congratulations to all the writers listed! I can’t wait to read your words 😍
open.substack.com/pub/westword...
Congratulations to all the writers listed! I can’t wait to read your words 😍
open.substack.com/pub/westword...
Last day to enter your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor.
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
Opening Lines Competition
Annual competition to win an editorial report on your novel manuscript.
www.retreatwest.co.uk
April 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Last day to enter your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor.
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
Yay, I have a short story in this by @retreatwest.bsky.social alongside these fabulous writers!
Edition 8 of WestWord has arrived. Six beautiful stories by Lucy Stubbings
Lorraine Collins
Cole Beauchamp @nomad-sw18.bsky.social
JoAnneh Nagler
Susan Wigmore
and Sharon Boyle @sharon54.bsky.social
westword.substack.com/p/edition-8-...
Lorraine Collins
Cole Beauchamp @nomad-sw18.bsky.social
JoAnneh Nagler
Susan Wigmore
and Sharon Boyle @sharon54.bsky.social
westword.substack.com/p/edition-8-...
Edition 8 - April 2025
Six short fictions
westword.substack.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Yay, I have a short story in this by @retreatwest.bsky.social alongside these fabulous writers!
What is your favourite twist ending?
Have you ever tried writing one?
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/gotcha-...
Have you ever tried writing one?
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/gotcha-...
Gotcha! Twist Endings
www.retreatwest.co.uk
April 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
What is your favourite twist ending?
Have you ever tried writing one?
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/gotcha-...
Have you ever tried writing one?
www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/gotcha-...
Reposted by Retreat West / WestWord
What aspects of writing craft would you like to see covered over the next few months?
April 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
What aspects of writing craft would you like to see covered over the next few months?
And we're really excited to be hosting our first poetry workshop this month!
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Book here – Ways into Poetry – Zoom
Join us to get started, or continue, on your poetry journey.
This interactive workshop is suitable for experienced and beginner...
www.tickettailor.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
And we're really excited to be hosting our first poetry workshop this month!
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have.
Sunday 27th April
1pm - 3pm (BST)
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
We're excited to be running a new generative workshop this weekend. 90 minutes of weather related prompts to add tension and electric passages of descriptions to your writing.
🌦️⛈️❄️
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
🌦️⛈️❄️
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Book here – Red Sky at Night – Zoom
In this workshop we'll work together to explore how the atmospheric conditions of your stories can really work for you. Patheti...
www.tickettailor.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM
We're excited to be running a new generative workshop this weekend. 90 minutes of weather related prompts to add tension and electric passages of descriptions to your writing.
🌦️⛈️❄️
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
🌦️⛈️❄️
www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?
Deadline extended!
Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor.
New deadline: 13th April
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor.
New deadline: 13th April
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
Opening Lines Competition
Annual competition to win an editorial report on your novel manuscript.
www.retreatwest.co.uk
April 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Deadline extended!
Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor.
New deadline: 13th April
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...
Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor.
New deadline: 13th April
www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...