Wayfarer Books – Full-Length Submissions
At Wayfarer Books, we believe poetry is the language of the earth—words shaped like rivers through wild places, capable of transforming the world. We publish poets, essayists, and storytellers who stand outside the mainstream—voices that withstand the scrutiny of crows and coyotes, the cryptic and floral, the crepuscular, and the queer-at-heart. More than a publisher, we are a community of writers dedicated to books that serve as both compass and map for all who navigate wild terrain.
What We Publish
- Full-length poetry collections
- Nonfiction books (creative nonfiction, essay collections, travel writing)
- Works that challenge literary norms and offer a fresh perspective
Our Model
- Wayfarer Books is a traditional indie press that fully funds, publishes, and globally distributes the books we accept.
- Acceptance is highly selective, and we seek work that aligns with our mission.
Response Time: 6-8 months
Wayfarer Magazine – Short & Serialized Content
At Wayfarer Magazine, we believe poetry is the language of the earth, a force that, like rivers through wild places, can change the shape of the world. We publish poets, writers, and renegades who stand outside of mainstream culture—voices fierce and unyielding, whose work might withstand the scrutiny of crows and coyotes, the crepuscular and the queer-at-heart.
Today, we face a world where fundamental rights and freedoms are under attack, and our mission has evolved to meet this urgent reality. With defiance and clarity, we stand against forces of oppression, using words as instruments of resistance. We seek to amplify voices that challenge bigotry, fascism, racism, and the suppression of marginalized communities.
Our books and publications are not just art, but acts of resilience and resistance—a map and compass for all who navigate wild terrain in the fight for justice. Wayfarer Books is more than a publisher; it is a community of storytellers, activists, and wayfarers, united in the belief that words can illuminate darkness, provoke change, and demand accountability from systems of power.
We welcome all who are willing to speak out, to challenge, and to celebrate humanity in all its diversity. Together, through the power of poetry and prose, we create a resilient voice that refuses to be silenced.
What We Publish: Individual Pieces of Poetry, Essays and Interviews on wayfarermagazine.com.
- Poetry: Up to 5 poems per submission
- Essays & Creative Nonfiction: Up to 3,000 words
- Hybrid & Experimental Forms: If your work challenges traditional form, we want to see it.
- Interviews: Up to 3,000 words
Response Time: 6-8 weeks
Welcome.
As a Queer/Trans-owned business, it is impossible for us to remain detached from the political climate and the mounting challenges marginalized communities face. During these perilous times, I feel compelled to make our stance clear: Wayfarer Books and its imprints are firmly rooted in our vision of a compassionate, inclusive, and educated society, which we strive to promote through our publications. We are committed to progressive values, including support for LGBTQIA+ rights, trans rights, decolonization, women's rights, reproductive rights, non-violence, climate change science, freedom of speech, and the affirmation that Black Lives Matter.
This is an open call for submissions to those writers who are a part of a marginalized communities (i.e.: BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities, writers living with a disability, writers living with refugee or illegal status. . . to name a few).
Entry Guidelines for Poetry Submissions
- To enter, the poetry collection must be previously unpublished.
- A limited number of individual poems may have appeared in print or online but the poet must hold sole rights to the work.
- Manuscripts must be in English.
- The manuscript must be no less than 48 and no more than 85 pages in length (without front of back matter).
- Simultaneous submissions welcome.
- No reading fee
- Average turnaround time for manuscripts is 6-8 Months (Maybe Less).
Entry Guidelines for Creative Nonfiction Submissions
- You may submit the following styles: Creative Non-Fiction, Travel Writing, and Essay Collections.
- Authors representative of the work we seek would be: Barry Lopez, Joanna Macy, Gary Snyder, David Abram, Mary Oliver, Rainer Maria Rilke, Annie Dillard, David Whyte, Cheryl Strayed, Jack Kerouac, Walt Whitman, and Henry David Thoreau.
- Formatting and Misc: Manuscripts should be double-spaced and written in English following the Chicago Manual of Style.
- Length: We accept works that are at least 20,000 words and are no more than 60,000 words. *If you book is over 60,000 words, we (sadly) won't be the publisher for you. Why is this? Given the rising costs of paper in light of the global paper storage, we do not have the margin to take on works over this length and make a profit.
- In your proposal, please Include: Biographical Statement; Full Manuscript *All manuscripts must follow the Chicago Manuel of Style; a marketing analysis including sales points, similar titles, and the authors' plans for self-promotion.
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.
Wayfarer Magazine Reviews (Paid Submission)
At Wayfarer, we believe poetry is the language of the earth—a force as untamed as rivers carving through wild places, shaping the world word by word. Through our publishing house, Wayfarer Books, and our publication, Wayfarer Magazine, we publish and celebrate poets, writers, and renegades who stand outside the mainstream—voices fierce and unyielding, voices that might withstand the scrutiny of crows and coyotes, the crepuscular and the queer-at-heart.
As a queer-and trans-owned publication, we are committed to uplifting authors whose work challenges conventions, expands perspectives, and speaks truth to power. Whether your book is a howl from the margins or a whispered incantation for the wild and wandering, we invite you to submit it for review.
Get Your Book Reviewed
For authors and publishers seeking a guaranteed, in-depth review, we offer a fee-based review service providing professional, objective evaluations—ideal for use in marketing, press materials, and outreach to bookstores and libraries.
Wayfarer Review Service – $225 per review
- A 400-600 word professional review assessing the book’s writing, structure, and marketability
- A “Pull Quote”—a striking excerpt for promotional use
- Delivery within 4-6 weeks
With your approval, your review will be featured on our website and shared with key publishing industry partners to amplify your book’s visibility.
Purpose of the Paid Option: The fee for this service compensates our reviewers for the time and care they dedicate to your book. As a small team, this reader fee allows us to continue offering thoughtful, high-quality reviews that support independent authors and publishers.
Pricing for Wayfarer Magazine's Paid Review option
- $225 for a standard review (2-4 weeks)
- $325 for an expedited review (1 week, optional upgrade)
- *email us at editorial@homeboundpublications.com for an expedited review.
Here’s what other review services charge:
- Kirkus Indie: $425 (standard, 7-9 weeks), $575 (expedited, 4-6 weeks)
- Foreword Review Clarion: $499 (5-6 weeks)
- Publishers Weekly BookLife: $399 (6 weeks)
Wayfarer Magazine Reviews (Free Submission)
At Wayfarer, we believe poetry is the language of the earth—a force as untamed as rivers carving through wild places, shaping the world word by word. Through our publishing house, Wayfarer Books, and our publication, Wayfarer Magazine, we publish and celebrate poets, writers, and renegades who stand outside the mainstream—voices fierce and unyielding, voices that might withstand the scrutiny of crows and coyotes, the crepuscular and the queer-at-heart.
As a queer-and trans-owned publication, we are committed to uplifting authors whose work challenges conventions, expands perspectives, and speaks truth to power. Whether your book is a howl from the margins or a whispered incantation for the wild and wandering, we invite you to submit it for review.
Get Your Book Reviewed
Each issue of Wayfarer Magazine features outstanding new books across poetry, nonfiction, and hybrid genres. We offer a limited number of free editorial reviews based on the quality, originality, and impact of a book.
To be considered for an editorial review, please submit your book at least four months before publication. We accept digital copies (PDFs preferred) and physical advance reading copies (ARCs). Be sure to include a detailed tip sheet with:
- Title, subtitle, and publication date
- Author name and biography
- ISBN, page count, binding, and price
- Publisher name and distribution details
- Please submit via our Submittable Platform >>