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Frequently Asked Questions
Small Press Center FAQ's
What is the Small Press Center?
Where is the Small Press Center located?
What is a "small press"?
What is the difference between a "small press" and an "independent press"?
Who can join the Small Press Center?
Do you publish books?
How is the Small Press Center funded?
What types of publishing companies join the SPC?
Writer FAQ's
As a small writer what can the SPC do for me?
How can I publish my book?
How can I find a small press publisher?
Publisher FAQ's
As a small publishing company, what can the Small Press Center do for me?
In addition to this, what else do I need to know if I'm starting a publishing company?
How do I self publish my book?
How do I become a publisher?
How do I find a title for my publishing company?
Does my book need a copyright? If so, how do I get one?
What is an ISBN number and does my book need one?
How do I obtain an ISBN number for my book?
How do I find a printer for my book?
How can I get reviews for my book?
With limited resources and time, how should I market my book effectively?
What is the difference between distributors and wholesalers?
What is the Small Press Center?
The Small Press Center was established in 1984 to help independent publishers reach a wider audience for their books, and to provide information and draw public awareness to the offering of these presses. The SPC encourages excellence and free expression in publishing through workshops, lectures, book fairs, exhibits, and our Reference Center on Writing and Publishing. More about the Small Press Center The Small Press Center is an educational program of the 501 (c)(3) non-profit institution, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen.
Where is the Small Press Center located?
The Small Press Center is located at 20 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan, tucked away in a corner office of the landmark library of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen. Conveniently located between Fifth Avenue and Times Square the Small Press Center is in the heart of what may be called "Literary Row," where The New Yorker once flourished and the Algonquin Roundtable crew used to spike their drinks with wit. Small Press Center visitor information
What is a "small press"?
The loose definition which we use for a "small press" is a publisher whose print runs usually do not exceed 5,000 per book and who produces fewer than 12 books per year. There are an estimated 70,000 publishers in the country today publishing books in a wide range of genres, many of these are considered to be small press publishers.What is a small press?
What is the difference between a "small press" and an "independent press"?
Practically speaking, many independent presses may also qualify as small presses. The difference is that the "raison d'etre" for independent publishers is not their small size but the types of books they publish and their cultural and financial point-of-view. Other independent publishers may be larger in size, and not considered to be a small press at all.
Who can join the Small Press Center?
Memberships are open for individuals who want to be friends of the Small Press Center and small publishing companies. As a part nonprofit organization, the Small Press Center relies on the support of friends and other donators as our main sources of income. Our supporters allow us to expand our literary programs and keep up our facilities. Small press publishers are invited to take advantage of our helpful services and convenient facilities by becoming members of the SPC. Join the Small Press Center
Do you publish books?
The Small Press Center is not a publishing press itself, nor can we directly recommend small press publishers for writers seeking a publisher. How Can I Find a Publisher. The Small Press Center was established in 1984 to help independent publishers reach a wider audience for their books. Our facilities and services were created specifically to give small presses a competitive edge in today's publishing environment of large media conglomerates and corporate publishing practices.
How is the Small Press Center funded?
Some of our funds come from individual contributors, friends, year-end donations, and our annual benefit. We also receive grants and generate revenue from our educational programs and membership fees. The Small Press Center is an educational program of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen and is also supported by the Society.
As a writer, what can the SPC do for me?
The Small Press Center helps writers become more informed about the publishing process and provides writers with an opportunity to support the independent press movement. We also directly aid writers through our Reference Center on Writing and Publishing and various workshops and lectures held throughout the year.
How can I publish my book?
For those wishing to publish their manuscripts, they are many different ways to go about it. A really useful book with a good overview of the publishing process is Judith Appelbaum's book, How to Get Happily Published. You have the choice of publishing your book through a large publishing firm, medium-sized publishers, or small presses. Other options include print-on-demand and self publishing. Literary agents are useful if you are interested in publishing your book through the large firms, as 80% of all of their new material comes through literary agents. They match up manuscripts with appropriate publishers and negotiate contracts. Link to ten steps to finding a literary agent. Large publishing firms publish books in a variety of fields and usually focus on books that they expect will be best-sellers. In addition to the large firms, authors may consider publishing through independent or small presses, which tend to be smaller, newer firms which often concentrate on a specific field, region, or market. Print-on-demand offers standard publishing services, though this requires the author to invest the money. Please note that the Small Press Center does not recommend using any subsidy or "vanity" publishing. The final option available, self-publishing, has the author deal directly with the editor, cover artist, designer, and printer. The author also handles the marketing as well as the distribution of the book. 10 Basic Steps to Self-Publishing and 10 Steps to Finding a Publisher.
How can I find a small press publisher?
The Small Press Center does not directly link writers with publishing companies as a literary agent would, though we do provide the resources to make aspiring authors as informed as possible about the publishing process. Our biggest piece of advice is to do all the research you can before approaching publishing companies. Look at books in your field of choice, both on-line and in bookstores, and become aware of which firms are publishing books similar to yours. We also recommend learning as much as possible about the publisher to whom you are sending your manuscript and sending an informed, interesting letter of query to publishers in the first instance.
As a small publishing company, what can the Small Press Center do for me?
The following resources are available to our publisher members:
- New! Internet Radio Show - a monthly program specially created to assist you with your publishing questions and to provide a forum for exchange of information.
- New! Expanded web presence - our online directory at www.smallpress.org currently lists up-to-date publisher members by name and subject matter. Visitors to our website can obtain your contact information or directly follow our convenient link to your website. Coming soon: a list of your books on our website along with color images of the book covers and links, leading visitors to web outlets where they can directly order your books.
- Advance notice and discount for the Small Press Book Fair - our biggest event of the year, with 200 presses and over 2,000 visitors taking part in a weekend of sales, readings, and special programs.
- Reduced ad rates in the New York Times Book Review - reach over 3.7 million readers at 50% off the open book review ad rate - an incredible savings offer available only to SPC publisher members.
- Your books displayed in a prime location - in the General Society Library, where thousands of readers may examine your titles and order your books directly from you.
- Book promotion in our display windows - an opportunity to highlight your company's titles to thousands of passersby on West 44th Street at a very modest cost.
- Free office space for out-of-town publishers - in the heart of the city, and a mere stroll from all major transportation, we have a convenient office where publisher members can attend to all their business needs while in Manhattan.
- Balcony space for readings and book receptions - space in our landmark building, at a very low rate. Please ask about the facilities available, including kitchen privileges.
- Invitations and advance notice - to lectures, readings, and special events throughout the year, including the Ben Award reception, where we honor an important contributor to the independent publishing movement.
- Research on book manufacturing, marketing, and publishing - our Reference Center on Writing and Publishing maintains 2,000 titles for your research needs. Please feel free to call our Publishers' Help Line with any questions at 212.764.7021.
- Discounts - on workshops; leading publisher magazines; workshop CDs; Small Press Center events; and Publisher Liability Insurance.
In addition to this, what else do I need to know if I'm starting a publishing company?
There is still a huge amount of information to find out. The best thing for new publishers is to do as much research as possible. Speak with people you know who have recently gone through the process themselves. Other useful resources include books that are packed with relevant publishing information, such as Publishing for Profit by Thomas Woll or self-publishing books, such as Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual, or The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss which also serves as a comprehensive guide for those interested in entering the world of self-publishing.
How do I self-publish my book?
The first basic step to self-publishing is to select and write a manuscript which you feel there will be a market for. The next step is to generate working capital for your project, followed by deciding on a design for your book, selecting a printer, and estimating your costs. You may also start sending your manuscript to possible reviewers, as many prefer to review a book before it is published. You can then plan your marketing strategy and learn about retail and wholesale ways of selling the book. The next step is to plan the warehousing, shipping procedures, and order processing, and to decide on a distribution mechanism. Finally, publish, promote, and market your book. Self-publishing does offer the potential for greater financial rewards than traditional publishing and the opportunity to retain control of your book. However, be aware that there are certain publications, such as The New York Times, that will not review self-published books. For more information see Ten Basic Steps to Self-Publishing.
How do I become a publisher?
Before becoming a publisher, you should decide the level of commitment you are willing to put into your business and how you will deal with your business through the difficult times. You should consider how you will fund your company, what your editorial concept and niche will be, how many books you will realistically be able to publish, and how you will market those books for your target audience. After determining a plan, you should begin to put it into action, making sure your program runs on a consistent schedule. Remember, the quality and consistency of the books you publish is more important than the number of books. Through consistent business methods, you will begin to build a credible reputation for your publishing company.
How do I find a title for my publishing company?
The choice of your company's name is ultimately left up to you, though we can provide you with some helpful tips. Avoid using your name in the title of your company, as a stigma in the industry is often associated with self-publishing, yet not with independent presses. Pick a clever, yet general name that would be appropriate for an assortment of books and avoid choosing an overly "cutesy" name; you will be stuck with your name once your company takes off. You may want to try for a name at the beginning of the alphabet so that your company will appear earlier in the directory. Also, make sure that it is easy to spell and pronounce the name so that people can find it easily among the listings. Lastly, check that no one has already chosen the name that you want in current directories, such as Literary Market Place or on-line at google.com or the internet yellow pages.
Does my book need a copyright? If so how do I get one?
Writers and publishers are strongly encouraged to register their works with the copyright office after they have moved from the facts and ideas stage to expressing those ideas in the form of written material. To obtain a copyright form, you may call the automated Copyright Office Forms Hotline, 202-707-9100, where you will leave your name, phone number and the type of copyright form that you need. Along with the form, you will be sent instructions for filling out the form and other materials that will answer any questions that you may have concerning copyrights.
Forms may also be downloaded at the Copyright Office website which also has other helpful information: www.copyright.gov/
Written correspondence regarding copyrights may be sent to:
Copyright Office
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20559-6000
What is an ISBN number and does my book need one?
The ISBN is an identification system for books that has been used around the world since the late 1960s. Each edition of your work will need a different ISBN number. The number helps your product to be properly identified by everyone from distributors and booksellers to librarians. Large retailers will not accept your book unless it has an ISBN number.
How do I obtain an ISBN number for my book?
To obtain an ISBN number, you may contact R.R. Bowker for an application form and further information:
International Standard Book Numbering/U.S. Agency
R.R. Bowker
121 Chanlon Road
New Providence, NJ 07974
(908-665-6770)
You may also apply and find information on-line: http://www.bowker.com
Further questions regarding copyrights and ISBN numbers can be directed to the Copyright Office Recorded Information System, 202-707-3000. If your questions are not answered by the pre-recorded message, you may wait to be put through to the next available information specialist.
How do I find a printer for my book?
The first step to getting a printer is to put together a list of job specifications, including: the title, publication date, required ship date, trim size (width and height in inches), quantity, page count, prepress (in what form they will receive the text and jacket and if you want any prepress such as scanning or artwork done), proofs, printing, paper (weight and finish), binding, freight, and extra options. Then, put together a list of printers you want to send the job out to and ask for quotes. When comparing quotes, the cost should be taken into account, though customer service and how comfortable you feel with the printer should also be taken into consideration.
How can I get reviews for my book?
Books reviews are an important way to spread the word on your book, though it is often difficult to receive significant reviews for books that have been published independently, as the book editors typically receive hundreds of books a week. In addition to well-known publications, sending your book to reviewers who are interested in independently published books is also helpful. You should consider seeking out publications that will reach your target audience. After determining a list of the publications that you would like to have review your book, send them galleys or review copies along with a press release. Be sure you meet their deadlines, as many publications want galleys a certain number of months before publication. After you have sent out your book, do not simply sit back and wait for the reviews to come pouring in-- make brief follow-up calls and to check that the books have been received. When you are given a chance to speak to a reviewer, either in person or over the phone, always keep your pitch as short as possible.
With limited resources and time, how should I market my book effectively?
By establishing a realistic target audience for your book, you can determine where you should concentrate your marketing efforts. For example, if you are only able to produce ten preview copies of your book, you should send them out to the ten review outlets that are most likely to reach your target audience. Similarly, if you are only able to organize a limited number of events, choose locations that will be most attractive to your target audience. Most important, use your book itself as a marketing tool to reach your target audience. Select a cover design and color scheme that you think will be most attractive to your audience. E-mail is also a free way to get the word out on your book. Looking for e-mail lists read by your audience is an effective way to reach them.
What is the difference between distributors and wholesalers?
Distributors and wholesalers both sell your book to retail outlets and act as your billing and fulfillment department. Wholesalers will fulfill your orders, but will not actually promote your book. A distributor, however, will act as your sales department and actively seek out orders for your book through sale representatives. Thus, a distributor will charge a fee (usually a percent of net sales or what they collect from the stores, the standard being 25%) as opposed to wholesalers, who merely ask for a discount on your book to sell at their stores at a lower rate (the standard being 55%).
Selected Bibliography
How to Get Happily Published, Judith Appelbaum, HarperResource; 5th edition (May 1, 1998)
Publishing for Profit, Thomas Woll, Chicago Review Press; 2nd Rev&Ex edition (September 2002)
The Self-Publishing Manual, Dan Poynter, Para Publishing; 14th edition (August 10, 2003)
The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days, Fern Reiss, Peanut Butter and Jelly Press; (April 1, 2003)
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An Educational Program of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York.
© 2006 Small Press Center
20 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 212.764.7021
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