Wayfarer Books

Manuscript submissions

Wayfarer Books accepts unsolicited manuscripts during two annual reading windows, typically in March and September. Before submitting, read at least two titles from the current catalog to gauge the press’s aesthetic range. They seek full-length poetry collections (48–80 pages) and literary nonfiction (essays or memoir) that demonstrate a clear voice and a willingness to engage with the pressing questions of our time. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but notify immediately upon acceptance elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter that articulates how your work aligns with the press’s mission—avoid generic praise. Response times average three to six months; queries about status are discouraged unless the stated period has elapsed.

In 2012, Wayfarer Books was founded on the belief that literature should be wild, fearless, and untethered from the mainstream. We publish poetry and nonfiction that challenges, disrupts, and reimagines a home for seekers, rebels, and truth-tellers. More than a press, Wayfarer is a movement dedicated to voices that demand to be heard, to work that reshapes landscapes and refuses erasure. Words are a force of nature, carving their own course like rivers through stone. We are Wayfarer Books. This is where the journey begins.