This March, Think Small

The 11th annual celebration of National Small Press Month (NSPM) will take place this March. Co-sponsored by the New York Center for Independent Publishing (formerly the Small Press Center), PMA -- the Independent Book Publishers Association, and CLMP -- Council of Literary Magazines and Publications, NSPM provides booksellers with a perfect tie-in for author readings and displays highlighting small press titles.

"The overarching goal of Small Press Month is to display and handsell good independent press books," said National Small Press Month volunteer coordinator Mark Kohut. "There are all kinds of ways to celebrate -- author events, window and table displays, features in local newspapers -- whatever creative ways booksellers use to focus on selling books they like."

Noting that the goal of the event is to create a place for independent press titles in Americans' consciousness, Kohut added, "We're hoping to draw attention and sales to small presses in the same way National Poetry Month has brought attention and sales to poetry."

In an upcoming monthly mailing, stores with Book Sense will find information about NSPM, including suggestions for commemorating the event and a colorful poster, which can be used as the basis for displays. The poster features a quote from Alice Walker: "As water to flowers ... Independent publishing to democracy."

Supporters of NSPM include the American Booksellers Association and Book Sense, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, BookExpo America, Ingram Publisher Services, The New Press, Small Press Distribution Company, Publishers Group West, Lulu.com, and Selfpublishing.com.

Requests for more information and additional posters should be sent to [email protected]. --Karen Schechner