The Word Works publishes at least three books of poetry each year, one based on a national competition, one featuring noteworthy regional writers in the Capital Collection series, and one by an established author for the Tenth Gate imprint. Occasional anthologies also printed, also has sponsored master workshops. Sponsors an annual competition for regional high school poets, the Jacklyn Potter Prize. Sponsors the Cafe Muse reading series (year-round, at the Friendship Heights Village Center in Chevy Chase, MD) and the Joaquin Miller Poetry Series (each summer, in the Rock Creek Nature Center in DC).