Submissions
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Waypoints is Wayfare’s home for pop culture coverage, seeking wisdom out of the best books, films, music, drama, and beyond. Waypoints strives to model deep, charitable engagement with popular culture, believing that there are truths to be found and embraced in works of pop culture, interpreted by the light of spiritual and religious truths. Indeed, we affirm that viewing culture with an eye single to the glory of God may help us understand new dimensions of the abundant life Christ envisions for us.
Waypoints is committed to an ecumenical, spiritually eclectic approach to pop culture, and we also affirm a special interest in the art produced by, for, and about Mormons. We believe that Mormons have great art of their own and hope to bring our collective attention to this body of great art and artists, offering insights and perhaps new eyes to appreciate our own artistic canon.
What we want to see:
Clear Focus: Pieces should have a clear, specific thematic purpose. While pieces will often focus on a single work, they may draw on additional works to enrich the analysis—particularly when the connections are unexpected.
Analysis: Pieces should prioritize analysis of the work and not review-like evaluation. Consider describing what the work made you feel and what those feelings may reveal about you, the artist, or society as a whole.
Joy and Generosity: Waypoints pieces reflect a sense of play and insight that remind us that culture and art can be taken seriously without robbing them of the joy and delight that they bring us. Pieces should help readers seek after the true, the good, and the beautiful, modeling a generous, clear-eyed reading of the selected work.
WORD COUNT
Waypoints aims for submissions between 800 to 1500 words.
READING PERIOD
Our submissions are always open. We carefully review every submission, and we try to respond within a 30-day period. If, after 30 days, you think your piece may have been lost or forgotten, please reach out to waypoints.wayfare@gmail.com.
ON AI USE
We do not accept pieces that are AI written. If you have used AI in the creation of your work, please be prepared to include a statement describing how you used AI. We may ask follow-up questions. Please find our full policy here.
SPECIFIC CALLS
Movies/Books/Music/Theatre that Made Us
Grafted In
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
If you have other questions not answered in the pitch guide, you can email waypoints.wayfare@gmail.com, putting “submission” in the subject line.