With Roots and Words, we expect to build upon our history as a literary journal and press by connecting you to some of today’s most important new and established literary voices as we always have—while our new platform presents us with myriad opportunities to develop more deeply rooted relationships with our writers and our readers. We imagine an ecosystem of creativity, a place for important conversations, and a home for the strong literary community we’ve developed over the past several years.

As always, we’ll keep our focus on foraging new connections centering a shared belief in the value of the literary arts as well as creating a deeply engaging place to be inspired, moved, and to grow. Above all, we’ll continue to seek out, publish, and champion the best fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts we can find from a range of voices and perspectives, keeping true to our motto: fearless, crafted, and authentically human.

Why subscribe?

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter, exclusive poems, essays, generative writing prompts, and much, much more along with our publication archives (just $8 a month). When you become an annual subscriber, in addition to our weekly Substack content, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the annual spring print edition of West Trade Review (200 pages, available each April). Founding subscribers receive the spring edition of West Trade Review and choice of one book from the Iron Oak Editions catalog. You can also become a free subscriber and receive one free weekly post and our monthly journal and press newsletter.

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Annual subscribers never miss an update—several times a week, every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

Check out some of our favorite posts here:

“Girl in a Canoe” by Candice M. Kelsey

“Dancing With Louise Glück” by John Jacobson

“Unafraid” by Sam Aureli

“Around Here People Don’t Like” by Rivka Clifton

“The Drawn Word: A Generative Poetry Prompt" by Allisa Cherry

“The Mission Hibernaculum as a Regenerative Ploy for a New Year Year (A Generative Poetry Prompt)” by Mikal Wix

Join our literary tribe

Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support the work of an independent literary publisher with a subscription.

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Subscribe to Roots & Words from Iron Oak Editions and West Trade Review

Roots & Words is a place to be inspired, to be moved, to grow. Here you will encounter fearless, crafted writing that is authentically human. Expect new poetry, essays, generative creative writing prompts and much more several times a week.

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