Wherein I ask an editor the questions all writers want to ask.

Mandy Haynes wears more hats than I can count, and wears every one of them with aplomb. Here she tells it like it is from her perspective as editor of the highly-regarded WELL READ Magazine.
First: do you charge a submission fee? Second: do you offer free or paid subscriptions?
Answer to both: There are no charges for submissions or subscription to WELL READ. I don’t want money to stop writers from sharing their work, and I want to reach as many readers as possible.
Please describe your journal in a sentence or two.
I say WELL READ Magazine is the online literary journal for readers, writers, and booklovers of all genres. The issues are full of interesting author interviews, books to add to your reading list, authors to follow, and writing tips and fun articles.
What sorts of submissions are you looking for? Poetry, fiction, non-fiction, other?
Everything! Fiction, flash fiction, micro-memoirs, essays, and poetry. I love stories in all forms.
What is one thing that really makes your journal stand out from the rest?
I think what makes each issue special are the contributions from the contributing editors. Robert Gwaltney and Jeffrey Dale Lofton have INSIDE VOICES where they introduce authors and other creative people within the writing world. Raymond L. Atkins has OFF THE PAGE where he takes readers off the page and into the life of a great southern writer – he’s hilarious and I love his style. Dean James has THE WRITER’S EYE. This is fun – Dean takes classic movies and points out what makes them work and shows writer’s how they can use the same ideas to strengthen their writing skills. But you don’t have to be a writer to enjoy his observations. Annie McDonnell has ANNIE ASKS where she asks authors, publicists, and interesting people ten questions she picks from the Proust Questionnaire, and Claire Hamner Matturro has CLAIRE CONSIDERS – where she posts interesting and informative book reviews. I give everyone free reign to choose their subjects which is fun and exciting for me. I love formatting their articles knowing I get to see them first.
But dang – I also think the fantastic submissions from first time and established authors and poets makes it stand out. There aren’t any prompts so there is always a great mix of work.
What’s one thing you wish submitters would stop doing?
Sending their submissions without following the guidelines. I ask for a short bio and photo with the submission because if it’s selected, I have everything I need to publish the piece. I don’t open the photo or bio attachments until after I accept the work but it makes everything go much more smoothly when I can find everything I need in one place.
How does being an editor at a literary journal change the way you submit your own work?
I am much more aware of the guidelines for sure.
What surprises you most about the submissions you receive?
When I get a non-fiction piece that makes me cry – either happy tears or sad – that people are so open and honest and generous with their personal stories.
What sort of submissions would you like to receive more of? What sort of submissions do you get far too many of?
I haven’t been receiving any art lately. I miss it because there are so many ways to tell a story and art is definitely one. I’ve been very lucky to get a great mix so there isn’t one type of submission that I get too many of.
Can you give writers a couple of tips for submitting to your journal or to journals in general?
Follow the guidelines. Read a few back issues and get a feel for the type of writing that fits each journal. Be patient while waiting for feedback. Not every journal has a team behind them.
What are a couple of your favorite pieces in your journal? (Please provide links)
I am so glad you asked me this question! I nominated six entries for the 2023 Pushcart Prize and it was so hard to pick just six! Here are two – I’m going to have to make it three I’m sorry! – submissions that definitely left a mark on me.
Dismantling a Childhood by Jon Sokol
About the Editor

Mandy Haynes writes literary fiction with a southern drawl and is the author of two short story collections and a novella. She’s also the editor of WELL READ Magazine–the online literary journal for readers, writers, and booklovers everywhere.
Question Marks Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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