Wayfarer Books, we believe poetry is the language of the earth. We think words—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.

Understanding the Structure of Our Company & Where to Send Your Work

> Wayfarer Books (Independent Publisher) >> Full-length Works Only 

Wayfarer Books follows a traditional publishing model with the following key features:

• Royalty Rates: We pay authors anywhere from 8-12% of the list price on print; 25% on eBook; 25% on Audiobook.
• Formats: We release our titles in various formats, including paperback, ebook, audiobook, and hardcover.
• Global Reach: Our titles have a global distribution network through Ingram, ensuring widespread availability.

> Outpost Press (Hybrid-model Publishing Imprint) >> Full Length Works > Hybrid Structure

Outpost Press is our latest imprint, offering a hybrid publishing route for authors who are willing to share the financial investment in their projects.

• Royalty Rates: We pay authors 25% on all formats. *Authors earn more royalties in the hybrid-model format as a way to recoup their investment in the project. 
• Formats: We release our titles in various formats, including paperback, ebook, audiobook, and hardcover.
• Global Reach: Our titles have a global distribution network through Ingram, ensuring widespread availability.

> Wayfarer Magazine >> Short Works and Serialized Content Only

Wayfarer Magazine is our flagship publication! Now offered on Substack. 

Additionally, each year we offer an annual “Best Of” featuring the best of our online content in a 5.5 x 8.5, 200pp, Full-color, Trade Paperback book.

General Notes on Submissions to Wayfarer Books

Currently, we only accept submissions via Submittable.

About Wayfarer Books

Wayfarer Books is an independent publisher dedicated to releasing avant-garde works in a challenging and volatile market. With a high volume of over 3,000 submissions each year, our limited budget allows us to publish only 15-20 titles annually. This means that while we receive many outstanding submissions, we are often unable to accept all high-quality projects solely due to financial constraints.

What We Expect from Our Authors

We seek authors who are not only passionate about their work but also willing to take an active role in promoting it. Authors should be prepared to:

• Engage on social media: Maintain a presence on at least one platform.
• Pursue publicity opportunities: Arrange interviews and participate in virtual events.
• Network actively: Build relationships with fellow poets, independent booksellers, and local libraries to help broaden the reach of their work.

Submission Policies

• Simultaneous submissions are welcome: You are free to submit your work to other publishers while we review it.

Response Time and Reading Period

• Currently backlogged.
• Expected response time: We aim to respond within 6-8 months. We look forward to discovering your work during our upcoming submission period!

The Homebound Poetry Prize / Since 2012

The deadline for entries is for the 2025 HBPP has passed. On August 15, 2025, we will announce one winner from the entries, a finalist, and honorable mentions. Wayfarer Books will publish the winning manuscript in April 2025. The winning author will be offered a royalty contract and publication in ebook, paperback, and audiobook. 

Enter the 2025 Poetry Prize >> Entries are now open for the 2025 Poetry Prize!  Deadline for Submissions is June 30, 2025. 

Entry Guidelines & Eligibility 

• To enter, the poetry collection must be previously unpublished. (A number of individual works may be previously published.)
• The entry fee is $30.00.*
• 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 and adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style 
• Multiple entries by a single author are wel­come but a sep­a­rate entry forms and fees must be paid for each entry.
• The manuscript must be no less than 48 and no more than 75 pages in length.
• Employees and authors of Wayfarer Books and its divisions are not eligible.

• The editorial staff at Wayfarer Books will judge the contest. The contest is not judged blind.

• All entries will be considered for publication. We routinely publish manuscripts chosen for honorable mentions when our annual budget allows.

• *Fee Waivers available for limited-income individuals. Write us at Wolfe@homeboundpublications.com.

Radically Authentic Prize for Trans & Non-binary Writers 

The Radically Authentic Prize for Trans & Non-binary Writers is published by Wayfarer Books.

Eligibility & Guidelines

• This prize is open to those who identify within the Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender non-conforming spectrum.*
• There is a reading fee of $20 for our volunteer editorial staff.**
• This prize is open to works of poetry, creative nonfiction, memoirs, and essay collections. (No fiction, please.)
• Poetry manuscripts should be no more than 90 pages.
• Prose manuscripts should be no more than 50,000 words.
• A single author may submit multiple entries but each entry must be separate. 
• 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.
• Deadline is January 10th (Annually). We announce the winner March 1st (Annually). Submissions are rolling.
• **Reading fee waivers are available for those with limited income. Write wayfarer@homeboundpublications.com

How are we defining “Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender non-conforming?”

We currently use the definitions as set forth by the HRC but are active participants in the evolution of language and identity. If you identify beyond the binary and do not see yourself represented below, please submit your work.

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.

Non-binary is an identity embraced by some people who do not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between or as falling completely outside of these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer, or gender fluid.

Gender non-conforming is an umbrella term referring to people who do not identify in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category. Some gender non-conforming people identify as non-binary, genderqueer, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender, bigender or other identities that reflect their personal experience. Some, but not all, gender non-conforming people identify as transgender.

Does the manuscript have to be about trans or/non-binary themes to qualify?

While we welcome all themes—especially those that highlight the experiences of marginalized communities—the material/themes of your entry do not need to be about the transgender/non-binary experience to be eligible.

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The namesake of the Radical Authenticity Prize is rooted in the work of our Founder, Connor Wolfe (they/them). To learn more about Connor, follow them on Instagram @the_wild_wolfe