The Externalist Press began with an online literary journal founded by Larina Warnock and Gary Charles Wilkens to publish poetry and prose that displayed a clear cognizance of the outward world and the socially significant issues of our time. Rather than pushing any particular agenda (though we do lean left), the goal was to provide an outlet for writers who wanted to write about political and controversial topics as well as to encourage a dialogue about those subjects. That goal continues on today.

Throughout the first two years of publication, the only money that exchanged hands was money paid for web service, software, and advertisement. Once we reached our goal of an average monthly readership of 1,000, we moved forward with formalizing the press and future plans. We've received our EIN, are applying for nonprofit status in the State of Oregon and will be pursuing 501(c)3 status in the near future.

Our primary publication continues to be The Externalist: A Journal of Perspectives, but during the historic presidential election of 2008, we added a blog that includes features of writers talking about particular issues and in 2010 we will be putting forward our first call for submissions for a themed anthology. With the continued encouragement of both our readers and our writers and a strong Board of Directors with a passion for literature, we will continue to publish the finest (or strangest) voices in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.