At Wayfarer Books we believe poetry is the language of the earth. We believe words, shaped like rivers through wild places, can change the shape of the world. We publish poets and writers and renegades who stand outside of mainstream culture—poets, essayists, and storytellers whose work might withstand the scrutiny of crows and coyotes, those who are cryptic and floral, the crepuscular, and the queer-at-heart. We are more than just a publisher but a community of writers. Our mission is to produce books that can serve as a compass and map to all wayfarers through wild terrain.

• Submissions are open to works of poetry only.
• Poetry manuscripts should be no more than 90 pages.
• To submit, the manuscript must be previously unpublished.
• A limited number of individual poems/excerpts may have appeared in print or online, but the author must hold sole rights to the work.
• Manuscripts must be in English and follow the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines.
• Please see our website for current deadlines and reading periods. 

Homebound Poetry Prize > Since 2012

The Homebound Poetry Prize includes publication by Wayfarer Books, 25 copies of the winning title, and global distribution of a paperback and ebook edition. Manuscripts are not judged anonymously. All finalists will be considered for publication. 

Please read the complete guidelines before submitting your manuscript. ___

Submission Guidelines

Who May Submit

The Homebound Poetry Prize is open to poets writing in English, whether living in the United States or abroad. Poets may be published or unpublished.

Translations are not eligible. The manuscript must be the poet's original work and may not have been previously published as a complete book or chapbook.

Employees of Wayfarer Books are not eligible to enter.

Manuscript Requirements

Submit a collection of poetry that is unpublished as a whole. Individual poems may have appeared previously in journals, magazines, anthologies, or online publications.

Please submit a manuscript of approximately 75 single-sided pages.

Simultaneous submissions are welcome, provided you notify us promptly if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere. If you do withdraw your manuscript, the reading fee will not be refunded. 

AI Policy

The Homebound Poetry Prize is intended to recognize original human creativity. We do not accept manuscripts generated in whole or in substantial part by artificial intelligence. If AI has been used in a meaningful way in the creation of your manuscript, please disclose that use with your submission. (We run every work through an AI detection program before review so be real with us.)

Deadline

The submission period is October 5, 2026 - September 1, 2027.

All submissions must be received by September 1, 2027.

Results will be announced October 1, 2027.

Reading Fee

The reading fee is $40 per submission. Each additional manuscript requires a separate entry fee.

Submit

Submissions may be made through Submittable. 

We are grateful to everyone who entrusts their work to us. We read every submission with care.

 Guideline Details:

• Nonfiction Pieces & Essays should be between 1200–2500 words.
• Profiles should be no more than 4,000 words and be accompanied by 4-6 photos relating to the subject of the profile. 
• Pieces should be single-spaced and paginated and follow the Chicago Manual of Style. 
• All work must be previously unpublished—this includes personal blogs, websites, and social media. 
• We do allow simultaneous submissions; please withdraw your review from Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere. Please wait at least 12 months from date of submission before querying about the submission status.

Poets should send 4-6 original poems. 

The times are changing and the publishing industry is as well. 

Wayfarer Books—A Tradition Model, Independent Publisher since 2012 introduces, Outpost Press. 

What if publishing could be financially collaborative? A path where you maintain creative control while receiving the professional support your book deserves? 

At Outpost Press, we believe hybrid publishing is a collaborative, professional alternative for authors whose work deserves a home outside the constraints of traditional publishing.

Traditional publishing is the model used by most established publishing houses, including Wayfarer Books. A publisher reviews submissions, selects a small number of projects to acquire, and funds the full publishing process—editing, design, production, distribution, and marketing. The author does not pay to be published and earns royalties based on sales.

Hybrid publishing is a partnership model that combines the professional rigor of traditional publishing with a shared-investment structure. The press remains selective and handles design, production, and distribution to industry standards, while the author contributes to upfront costs and, in return, receives a higher share of sales proceeds. Contracts, scope of services, and financial terms are clearly defined and transparent.

Learn More >> ___

What is the difference between Traditional Publishing and Hybrid?

Traditional Publishing

• Authors submit their manuscripts for consideration.
• If selected, the publisher fully funds production, distribution, and marketing.
• Authors receive a royalty (typically 7-9%) but relinquish most creative control and copyright.

Hybrid Publishing (Outpost Press Model)

• Authors submit their manuscripts for editorial review.
• If accepted, the author signs a contract with 25% royalties, a significantly higher share than traditional publishing.
• The author invests in production costs (editing, design, and distribution), sharing the financial responsibility with the publisher in the form of a one-time flat-rate payment; in our case, either the poetry or the nonfiction packages below.
• Outpost Press provides professional editorial, design, marketing, and distribution services to ensure high-quality publication.

Hybrid publishing follows the same professional standards as traditional publishing but offers authors greater royalty returns, creative input, and flexibility.