Fernwell Books
Literary fiction, poetry, philosophy, children’s literature, and singular nonfiction chosen for voice and staying power.
Independent publishing house
Literature
with a legacy.
Fernwell publishes books, magazines, and literary criticism for people who still believe language can sharpen attention, enlarge empathy, and make a life more fully lived.
See what we publishFernwell Publishing · Independent by Design
The best stories are waiting to be discovered.
An independent publishing house devoted to original voices, compelling ideas, and stories worth preserving.
We believe literature should do more than fill shelves. It should leave something behind.
Short-Story CollectionsPoetryPhilosophyEssaysLiterary Nonfiction
The publishing program
One house. Four ways into the literary world.
Fernwell is an independent publishing house devoted to books, literary journalism, magazines, and the art of writing.
View the list →
The Fernwell Review
Publishing history, overlooked writers, literary culture, criticism, and the stories behind books that mattered.
Her Niche Life
An independent magazine for girls and young women, covering the culture, ideas, people, style, music, relationships, money, and moments shaping their lives now.
Fernwell Editions
Notebooks and writing tools.
The Fernwell Review
Ideas worth carrying into conversation.
Essays on publishing, reading, and literary culture.
Publishing
What great publishers understood about building a list
How editorial judgment gives a publishing house its identity.
Read essay →The literacy crisis is not confined to the classroom
Nearly three in ten American adults have low literacy proficiency. What that means for readers and literature.
Read essay →Reading is not disappearing. Our attention is changing.
What it means to make room for a book in an interrupted day.
Read essay →The list
What Fernwell is making now.
A considered publishing list, guided by distinctive voices, editorial judgment, and work made to endure.
Naked Spells
Poetry and philosophical fragments about becoming, memory, desire, and the private language of a life.
Children’s publishing
Illustrated stories for young readers.
Her Niche Life
A few substantial issues each year, designed to be kept, revisited, and available beyond the scroll.
We believe some of the best writers are still waiting to be discovered.
Not every remarkable voice has an audience. Not every extraordinary story has found its way into print. At Fernwell, we believe good writing deserves to be found, nurtured, and remembered.
01Human voice before polished sameness.
02Curiosity without academic distance.
03Beauty that serves meaning.
04A deliberate list, not an endless feed.
For writersYOUR
WORK.Before submitting, please read our Submissions Policy.
WORK.Before submitting, please read our Submissions Policy.
Submissions
For the stories still waiting to be read.
Fernwell welcomes writers to review our submission form and guidelines. Every submission is considered at the house's editorial discretion; submitting work does not guarantee a response, acceptance, or publication.
Authors retain ownership of their work unless a separate written publishing agreement is signed.
Open submission form ↗The Fernwell Dispatch
New essays, publishing notes, reading recommendations, and submission announcements.