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Join a Unique Literary Organization

Whether you are a writer, or just someone who loves books, you are invited to become a member of the Small Press Center.

The Small Press Center is housed in a historic midtown Manhattan building in a neighborhood of libraries, university clubs, small elegant hotels and cultural institutions. It is conveniently located on the ground floor of the General Society Library of Mechanics and Tradesmen, and it is open weekdays, free of charge, to the public.

The Small Press Center, a non-profit organization, displays, supports and celebrates books published by small independent presses. It is a place for independent publishers to promote their books and learn more about perfecting their craft. It is a location for writers to become acquainted with small presses and to learn more about self-publishing options. It is a center that provides the public with an opportunity to learn about the independent publishing movement and to examine books on display from small presses.

The Small Press Center maintains a Reference Center with over 400 books on writing, publishing and updated resource materials. Annual programs include the Small Press Book Fair, a year-round display of books, workshops on all aspects of publishing, lectures, readings and thematic book exhibits. The Center is cofounder, with Publishers Marketing Association, of Small Press Month, which occurs every March.

Our friends are a welcome and valued constituency. Your generous support enables the Center to maintain and expand our programs and services to small press publishers and to the public.

Friends' Benefits

Free Membership to The Library of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen.
Supporters of the Small Press Center who become a Friend of the Small Press Center can enjoy a free one-year subscription to the historic Library of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen. Founded in 1820, it is the second-oldest library in New York City and is located in a striking landmark building at 20 West 44th Street. The Library has over 120,000 volumes and is especially strong in 19th century Americana and historic and current books in the “Useful Arts,” including architecture, printing, publishing, urban trades and crafts, historic preservation, labor and urban work, and “green” construction. The Library serves the educational programs of The GSMT, which include the Small Press Center and its Reference Library. Tom Wolfe described the Library as "my favorite room in New York, the reading room of the General Society Library" and the late Brendan Gill said of it "one of the pleasantest places to study in, browse in, and for that matter, doze in." Browse the Library’s new on-line catalog at www.generalsociety.org/library/catalog.

Small Press Center Newsletter.

Discounted Workshops and Lectures.

Discounted Audiotapes of Workshops.

Invitations to readings and special events.

Use of the Center's Reference Center on Writing and Publishing, or contact us with your queries.

30% discount on Books on Writing & Publishing: A Bibliography in Progress, a listing of 1,700 books, based on the Small Press Center Reference collection.

Membership Categories

Individual Friends - $50. Entitled to all benefits.

Dual/Family - $75. Entitled to all benefits.

Contributing Friends - $100. Entitled to all benefits, plus a complimentary small press book.

Literary Benefactors - $250. Entitled to all of the above, plus one free admission to a Small Press Center workshop, acknowledgment of your support in the Small Press Center Newsletter and an invitation for two to the Poor Richard's Award ceremony.

Corporate Sponsors - $300. Entitled to all of the above, plus sponsorship acknowledgment in Small Press Book Fair promotional materials and an invitation to an Advisory Board meeting.

Patrons - $500. Entitled to all of the above. Patrons will also receive a limited edition small press book and a free subscription to a workshop and lecture series.

All contributions are tax-deductible.

To join nowclick here




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