​"The precise role of the artist, then, is to illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through that vast forest, so that we will not, in all our doing, lost sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human-dwelling place."

                                         -James Baldwin


​The editors of West Trade Review are looking for essays that explore creative life expansively conceived (broader than only literary).


We are seeking personal essays exploring creative practice, reading practice, engagement with literature, support for the literary or creative life, hopes/desires/goals for the arts and creative life, experiences with authors or creative figures, arts community involvement, etc.

We hope these essays will inspire new writing, challenge conventional ideas of creative practices, and deepen our artistic community through the written word.




NOTE: Submissions which do not meet the following guidelines will not be considered:


  



- All submissions must be previously unpublished and are limited to one entry per submission period.

- Submissions should be between approximately 1200 and 1500 words.

- Work must be submitted as a Microsoft Word file and include a clear title of the work

- Submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter and a third-person biography of no more than 150 words. Work submitted without a biography will not be considered.

-In your cover letter, please mention your social media handles (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). If you have a website dedicated to your writing, please include the link in your cover letter as well.




Entries should be submitted to the appropriate genre category at the following link:

https://westtradereview.submittable.com/submit






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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:  ROOTS & WORDS: ESSAYS ON THE CREATIVE LIFE
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