University press
Wayne State University Press
Academic, Diverse and BIPOC voices, Fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Wayne State University Press
Wayne State University Press is open to proposals from unagented authors. You send a letter of introduction, a proposal, a CV or bio and one or two sample chapters by email or mail to the right acquisitions editor. Replies usually come within about 12 weeks.
Wayne State University Press is the publishing arm of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. It has published since 1941. It releases about 30 new titles a year. Its strengths include Black studies, Jewish studies, film and media studies, fairy-tale studies, speech and language pathology and the history and culture of Michigan, Detroit and the Great Lakes, along with highly select fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
Submissions work by proposal today. You send a letter of introduction, a proposal with a summary, a table of contents with chapter synopses, project details, competing books and a timeline, plus a CV or bio and one or two sample chapters. Send it by email or mail to the right acquisitions editor. Do not send a complete manuscript unless an editor invites it. If one is requested, outside review takes three to six months.
What Wayne State University Press is looking for
- African American studies and Black studies
- Media studies, film studies and fairy-tale studies
- Jewish studies and citizenship studies
- Regional studies on Michigan, Detroit and the Great Lakes
- Speech and language pathology
- Highly select fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction
Publishes
- Academic
- Diverse and BIPOC voices
- Fiction
- History
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
Specialties
- University press list
How to submit to Wayne State University Press
From its own guidelines- Prepare a letter of introduction, proposal, CV or bio and one or two sample chapters.
- Find the acquisitions editor who covers your field.
- Send the proposal to that editor by email or mail.
- Wait up to about 12 weeks for interest or a rejection.
- If a manuscript is requested, allow three to six months for outside review.
Is Wayne State University Press right for your book?
A good fit if
This press suits scholars and nonfiction writers working in its listed fields, especially Black studies, Jewish studies, media studies and Michigan or Great Lakes history and culture.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if you have an unrevised dissertation, a festschrift or a novel, since its authors page says it does not publish these. Its Made in Michigan Writers Series reads only March 1 to April 30 and has no open call now.
Wayne State University Press imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Made in Michigan Writers Series | Not stated | Series for literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry by writers living in or with formative years in Michigan; Submittable lists a March 1 - A |
Questions about Wayne State University Press
Does Wayne State University Press accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No, it does not want complete manuscripts unless a Wayne State University Press editor invites one. It does accept unsolicited proposals from authors without an agent. Send a letter of introduction, a proposal, a CV or bio and one or two sample chapters. Do not send irreplaceable materials. If your book has illustrations, send photocopies of sample illustrations only.
How do I submit to Wayne State University Press?
You email or mail a proposal to the acquisitions editor who covers your subject. Include a letter of introduction, a summary, a table of contents with chapter synopses, project details, competing books, a timeline, your CV or bio and one or two sample chapters. Writers in the Made in Michigan Writers Series apply separately, and that series reads only from March 1 to April 30.
How long does Wayne State University Press take to reply?
It typically replies within about 12 weeks with either an expression of interest or a rejection. If the editor then asks for your full manuscript, outside review takes three to six months more. Plan for that timeline when you set your own schedule, and check the authors page for the current editor list before you send anything.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
- Checked on the publisher's own site
