Wasafiri

Journal overview

Aims and scope

Wasafiri encourages readers and writers to travel the world via the word. Since 1984 the magazine has been publishing the best international contemporary writing from a diverse range of cultures across the UK and beyond. Wasafiri challenges established literary canons by creating a unique space for distinctive new work that transcends borders and labels. The dynamic, fresh writing we feature stimulates cross-cultural dialogues, which are brought to life through innovative live events. Wasafiri is well known for finding ‘the best of tomorrow’s writers today’, whilst simultaneously celebrating those who have gone on to become global literary voices. The magazinepublishes literary articles, interviews, creative writing, reviews and illustrated essays on the visual arts in both general and Special Issues. We welcome original submissions from new and established voices from all cultural backgrounds, which are peer-reviewed prior to acceptance. We are particularly keen to receive lively essays on recent work by contemporary writers or interviews with them. We are also open to proposals for Special Issues of the magazine. For submission guidelines and more information, visit our website at

www.wasafiri.org

‘Wasafiri -“traveller” in Kiswahili - offers a showcase to a range of diasporic and migrant writing from around the world that might otherwise struggle to get noticed by the mainstream press. Each issue of the journal features art, fiction and poetry, as well as articles and interviews, plus a generous review section. It is not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions about “literary geopolitics”, and it is more interested in the process of cultural reception than any other comparable literary magazine.

In her interview, Dubravka Ugrešic suspects that she isn’t sufficiently erudite to qualify as the “cultural traveller” of the journal’s title: “This is because literary wasafirianism demands great dedication, knowledge and energy, educational enthusiasm and an emancipated and enlightened form of missionary work.’

Fortunately, the editors of Wasafiri possess these qualities in abundance.'
- Ian Pindar, The Times Literary Supplement

‘For twenty years Wasafiri magazine has opened doors on to a new landscape of boundary-busting global literature in English. It has both showcased the work of major writers from Africa, the Caribbean and the subcontinent, and tracked the evolution of cutting edge fiction from black and Asian British authors.’
- Boyd Tonkin, Literary Editor, The Independent

‘…the magazine is a major forum for literature and debate. …It embraces a galaxy of names, some already famous, some on their way up…’
- Aidan Day, Prince Klaus Journal

‘Wasafiri startles its readers into thought, and poetry.’
- Alison Brackenbury, The Poetry Review

Authors can choose to publish gold open access in this journal.

Read the Instructions for Authors for information on how to submit your article.

Read full aims and scope