West Trade Review
@westtradereview.bsky.social
Publishing the best contemporary fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry since 2009. Literary magazine based out of Charlotte, NC.
https://westtradereview.com/
https://westtradereview.com/
Pinned
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 1/25, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/Pw0O48F
Submit by end of day on 1/25, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/Pw0O48F
Need honest, constructive criticism to maximize your manuscript’s potential? Consider working with one of our professional editors who can offer detailed developmental feedback. The @ironoakeditions.bsky.social team is here to help you refine your work.
Learn more:
buff.ly/usUCQbh
Learn more:
buff.ly/usUCQbh
February 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Need honest, constructive criticism to maximize your manuscript’s potential? Consider working with one of our professional editors who can offer detailed developmental feedback. The @ironoakeditions.bsky.social team is here to help you refine your work.
Learn more:
buff.ly/usUCQbh
Learn more:
buff.ly/usUCQbh
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details:
buff.ly/UD7NDOi
#writingcommunity #writersky
Submit by end of day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details:
buff.ly/UD7NDOi
#writingcommunity #writersky
February 4, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details:
buff.ly/UD7NDOi
#writingcommunity #writersky
Submit by end of day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details:
buff.ly/UD7NDOi
#writingcommunity #writersky
"Shed of missing
supplies, smell
of mulch, tight
pinch of his fingers,
the stick of skin"
Excerpt from “Next Door” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/RL2Jktv
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
supplies, smell
of mulch, tight
pinch of his fingers,
the stick of skin"
Excerpt from “Next Door” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/RL2Jktv
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
February 4, 2026 at 4:02 PM
"Shed of missing
supplies, smell
of mulch, tight
pinch of his fingers,
the stick of skin"
Excerpt from “Next Door” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/RL2Jktv
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
supplies, smell
of mulch, tight
pinch of his fingers,
the stick of skin"
Excerpt from “Next Door” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/RL2Jktv
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by the end of the day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
buff.ly/7YiURyQ
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
Submit by the end of the day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
buff.ly/7YiURyQ
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
February 3, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by the end of the day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
buff.ly/7YiURyQ
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
Submit by the end of the day on 2/8, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
buff.ly/7YiURyQ
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
Get Inspired! Become an annual subscriber to our Substack, Roots & Words, and receive a complimentary copy of our spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages) or become a free subscriber for our monthly newsletter.
buff.ly/ancqY9C
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
buff.ly/ancqY9C
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
February 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Get Inspired! Become an annual subscriber to our Substack, Roots & Words, and receive a complimentary copy of our spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages) or become a free subscriber for our monthly newsletter.
buff.ly/ancqY9C
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
buff.ly/ancqY9C
#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
“The strand clung to me all day,
tethering me the way Earth tethers
whatever dares to leave her.”
Excerpt from “Somewhere Between Gravity and Dust” by Zizipho Godana. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
buff.ly/noeRq4P
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
tethering me the way Earth tethers
whatever dares to leave her.”
Excerpt from “Somewhere Between Gravity and Dust” by Zizipho Godana. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
buff.ly/noeRq4P
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
“The strand clung to me all day,
tethering me the way Earth tethers
whatever dares to leave her.”
Excerpt from “Somewhere Between Gravity and Dust” by Zizipho Godana. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
buff.ly/noeRq4P
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
tethering me the way Earth tethers
whatever dares to leave her.”
Excerpt from “Somewhere Between Gravity and Dust” by Zizipho Godana. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
buff.ly/noeRq4P
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky
Seeking poems that perform Olympic feats with language that leave the reader in wonder while referring back to the things that make us human. We want powerful imagery and enjoy the juxtaposition of images in unexpected ways.
Feb.'s theme is obsession.
buff.ly/l7Q4Roi
#writingcommunity #writersky
Feb.'s theme is obsession.
buff.ly/l7Q4Roi
#writingcommunity #writersky
February 2, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Seeking poems that perform Olympic feats with language that leave the reader in wonder while referring back to the things that make us human. We want powerful imagery and enjoy the juxtaposition of images in unexpected ways.
Feb.'s theme is obsession.
buff.ly/l7Q4Roi
#writingcommunity #writersky
Feb.'s theme is obsession.
buff.ly/l7Q4Roi
#writingcommunity #writersky
“Through her exploration of the female body and the stories and myths we create around it, Pollokoff illuminates the perils women negotiate every day.”
Excerpt from review of Abi Pollokoff’s night myths • • before the body from @redhenpress.bsky.social.
buff.ly/aJtFL35
#writingcommunity #writersky
Excerpt from review of Abi Pollokoff’s night myths • • before the body from @redhenpress.bsky.social.
buff.ly/aJtFL35
#writingcommunity #writersky
February 2, 2026 at 4:30 PM
“Through her exploration of the female body and the stories and myths we create around it, Pollokoff illuminates the perils women negotiate every day.”
Excerpt from review of Abi Pollokoff’s night myths • • before the body from @redhenpress.bsky.social.
buff.ly/aJtFL35
#writingcommunity #writersky
Excerpt from review of Abi Pollokoff’s night myths • • before the body from @redhenpress.bsky.social.
buff.ly/aJtFL35
#writingcommunity #writersky
“The month the city culled its strays, yellow postings
stapled the poles. A truck idled by the ditch; the catcher
looped wire around necks, knocked on gates.”
Excerpt from Sean Wang’s “Yard With Pears" from the Winter 2025 Online Exclusives.
Listen below:
buff.ly/kEK82p7
#writingcommunity
stapled the poles. A truck idled by the ditch; the catcher
looped wire around necks, knocked on gates.”
Excerpt from Sean Wang’s “Yard With Pears" from the Winter 2025 Online Exclusives.
Listen below:
buff.ly/kEK82p7
#writingcommunity
February 2, 2026 at 4:03 PM
“The month the city culled its strays, yellow postings
stapled the poles. A truck idled by the ditch; the catcher
looped wire around necks, knocked on gates.”
Excerpt from Sean Wang’s “Yard With Pears" from the Winter 2025 Online Exclusives.
Listen below:
buff.ly/kEK82p7
#writingcommunity
stapled the poles. A truck idled by the ditch; the catcher
looped wire around necks, knocked on gates.”
Excerpt from Sean Wang’s “Yard With Pears" from the Winter 2025 Online Exclusives.
Listen below:
buff.ly/kEK82p7
#writingcommunity
Reposted by West Trade Review
Seeking poems that perform Olympic feats with language that leave the reader in wonder while referring to the basic things that make us human. We want powerful imagery and the juxtaposition of images in unexpected ways.
Jan. theme is “sound.” Feb. is obsession.
buff.ly/CtbMg9Y
#writingcommunity
Jan. theme is “sound.” Feb. is obsession.
buff.ly/CtbMg9Y
#writingcommunity
January 26, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Seeking poems that perform Olympic feats with language that leave the reader in wonder while referring to the basic things that make us human. We want powerful imagery and the juxtaposition of images in unexpected ways.
Jan. theme is “sound.” Feb. is obsession.
buff.ly/CtbMg9Y
#writingcommunity
Jan. theme is “sound.” Feb. is obsession.
buff.ly/CtbMg9Y
#writingcommunity
Reposted by West Trade Review
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
January 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Reposted by West Trade Review
“The predator’s sound is a door
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
January 30, 2026 at 4:02 PM
“The predator’s sound is a door
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
Reposted by West Trade Review
Get inspired. Connect with other readers and writers.
Become an annual subscriber to our Substack, Roots & Words, and receive a complimentary copy of our spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages) or become a free subscriber for our monthly newsletter.
buff.ly/E9USUVd
#writingcommunity
Become an annual subscriber to our Substack, Roots & Words, and receive a complimentary copy of our spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages) or become a free subscriber for our monthly newsletter.
buff.ly/E9USUVd
#writingcommunity
January 27, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Get inspired. Connect with other readers and writers.
Become an annual subscriber to our Substack, Roots & Words, and receive a complimentary copy of our spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages) or become a free subscriber for our monthly newsletter.
buff.ly/E9USUVd
#writingcommunity
Become an annual subscriber to our Substack, Roots & Words, and receive a complimentary copy of our spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages) or become a free subscriber for our monthly newsletter.
buff.ly/E9USUVd
#writingcommunity
Reposted by West Trade Review
“This is what understanding does: it shortens the distance between us and them, between normal and not.”
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
“This is what understanding does: it shortens the distance between us and them, between normal and not.”
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
Reposted by West Trade Review
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
January 29, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Reposted by West Trade Review
"When the lightning begins, I can't rest
knowing the storm I crave
found me at last."
Excerpt from “Twister” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/mVDCHS6
#writingcommunity #booksky #writersky #amwriting
knowing the storm I crave
found me at last."
Excerpt from “Twister” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/mVDCHS6
#writingcommunity #booksky #writersky #amwriting
January 27, 2026 at 3:30 PM
"When the lightning begins, I can't rest
knowing the storm I crave
found me at last."
Excerpt from “Twister” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/mVDCHS6
#writingcommunity #booksky #writersky #amwriting
knowing the storm I crave
found me at last."
Excerpt from “Twister” by Dan Kraines, author of the new book Strap.
Preorder a copy at the link below:
buff.ly/mVDCHS6
#writingcommunity #booksky #writersky #amwriting
Reposted by West Trade Review
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
Reposted by West Trade Review
West Trade Review is seeking essays that explore creative life expansively conceived (broader than only literary).
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
January 29, 2026 at 5:03 PM
West Trade Review is seeking essays that explore creative life expansively conceived (broader than only literary).
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
“The predator’s sound is a door
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
January 30, 2026 at 4:02 PM
“The predator’s sound is a door
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
opening into a mouth
opening into a question
where silence follows.”
Excerpt from “Field Notes From the Mouth of an Unnamed Animal” by Rachel McBride, new on our Substack, Roots & Words.
Read the full poem below: buff.ly/YqyglvT
#writingcommunity #poetry
West Trade Review is seeking essays that explore creative life expansively conceived (broader than only literary).
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
January 29, 2026 at 5:03 PM
West Trade Review is seeking essays that explore creative life expansively conceived (broader than only literary).
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
We are seeking essays exploring creative practice, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts.
Details:
buff.ly/zmmYMkA
#writingcommunity #essays
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
January 29, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below:https://buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Need honest, constructive criticism to maximize your manuscript’s potential? Consider working with one of our professional editors who can offer detailed developmental feedback. The @ironoakeditions.bsky.social team is here to help you refine your work.
Meet the team and learn more: buff.ly/x5QnV5T
Meet the team and learn more: buff.ly/x5QnV5T
January 28, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Need honest, constructive criticism to maximize your manuscript’s potential? Consider working with one of our professional editors who can offer detailed developmental feedback. The @ironoakeditions.bsky.social team is here to help you refine your work.
Meet the team and learn more: buff.ly/x5QnV5T
Meet the team and learn more: buff.ly/x5QnV5T
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Our fifth annual poetry contest is now open. The grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
See the link below for details:
buff.ly/sjbOR8w
“This is what understanding does: it shortens the distance between us and them, between normal and not.”
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
“This is what understanding does: it shortens the distance between us and them, between normal and not.”
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
Excerpt from “The Thread You Follow" by hillbillypilgrim.bsky.social. It appeared in the Winter 2025 collection of Online Exclusives.
Read the full piece here:
buff.ly/4YtyrZE
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
January 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Our 5th annual fiction contest is open. Grand prize is $1,000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity
Submit by end of day on 2/1, and we’ll respond to your submission within 2 weeks (no extra charge for expedited response).
Details below:
buff.ly/epYNLIW
#writingcommunity