Vol. 002 submissions are open. Check the guidelines and pitch us!
Written by Angie Stevens | October 23
On the phone with one of my biggest inspirations in the print magazine industry, Summit Journal editor Michael Levy, I was so graciously reminded that Hey, it’s a good thing I’m not beaming with pride after my first stab at creating a magazine, ‘cause anyone can make one, but not everyone can or ever would make another.
Surely I felt the sweet twinge of satisfaction watching my brainchild go to print, then shoot off to dozens of doorsteps dotted on the map. But this passion of mine feels insatiable, as does any truly burning desire to create art does for the artist, and I’m ready to feed on that energy during the next long-haul process of crafting Wayward Volume 002.
Years down the line, I envision a dozen volumes of this publication situated in a bookshelf, each spine a different vibrant color reminding me of the stories inside and the fire within. I’m extremely thankful I’ve cultivated a little circle of print-loving folks that genuinely want to share this experience, by purchasing a copy, contributing their words, images, and ideas, or simply following along through the process.
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The submission guidelines on the website read:
“Wayward is small, it’s DIY.
And in that, it’s unfiltered and holds nothing back. It places the big feats next to the humdrum of training, the growth next to the setbacks. It urges readers to ask questions and answer others; it reveals and reflects and ultimately calls you to a pen and paper, to a camera or canvas, to creation of your own.
We welcome the raw, unfiltered human eye, and uplift the punk spirit of do-it-yourself creative productions. It’s visible in the varying colors, fonts, & designs, yet unified by similar ideas of play in the outdoors.
As editor, I take pride in what Wayward has become, and the place it is settling into in the vast outdoor media landscape. Unlike other magazines, with tidy, conventional spreads, a more exclusive contributor list (professional writers, athletes, & well-known individuals), and content created and curated to fit the mold of that particular publication, Wayward values creation on one’s own terms.
At its core, the magazine works to carve a space for personal flair, unapologetic reflections, and radical ideas. We accept pitches in their earliest stages as well as completed stories. No word limit!”
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So far, I’ve been working with writers, artists, and adventurers on long form pieces including a story about climbing, stolen gear, and a 20-person rescue mission in El Chaltén; a profile on a woman who befriended the founders of Jansport and enjoyed a life of mountaineering; fishing in Bristol Bay; dune buggies and ‘60s surf culture; putting up first ascents in Alaska; El Niño big waves; the youth of Yosemite; sailing in the Chanel Islands; high lining; and more.
I’m also in conversation with rad artists, working with various mediums including ceramics; vintage-inspired, hand sewn materials; and micro-pens to create highly-detailed ink illustrations. They will be highlighted in volume 002’s “Artist Section”, along with a handful of dirtbags living in interesting built-out rigs in the “Rig Section.”
We want people stories, and encourage pieces that exist outside the conventional box of outdoor journalism. Perhaps you have a more niche focal point and a looser tie to a singular sport or its culture. Feel free to pitch these, as I believe it is these stories that can give Wayward a distinctive voice.
Below are some ideas of what we’re looking for if you are keen to contribute and want some inspiration:
In reaching out to folks to contribute to Wayward Volume 001, I was met with a striking amount of people dead set on the notion they had nothing to offer. However, these sentiments didn’t get past my stubborn ways, and soon I was conversing with each of them more thoroughly, looking through their catalog of trips, hearing memories, and swiping past images. By the end, stories emerged.
I’m excited to see what comes of the next volume, and to work with new contributors in an honest, curious, and deeply genuine way to craft another tangible keepsake for me and all of you. Send all pitches and submission inquiries to contact.waywardmagazine@gmail.com.
Onwards,
Angie
