Community of Literary Magazines and Presses

The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) is an American nonprofit membership organization serving independent literary publishers, including literary magazines, small presses, and other organizations involved in the production and circulation of contemporary literature. Based in New York City, it combines advocacy, professional development, technical assistance, grant administration, awards, networking, and information services for a sector whose organizations often operate with limited staff and financial resources. CLMP began in 1967 as the Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines, an initiative associated with the National Endowment for the Arts. Its founding group included Robie Macauley, Reed Whittemore, Jules Chametzky, George Plimpton, and William Phillips. Poet Carolyn Kizer was the organization’s first leader. The original organization focused primarily on strengthening literary magazines and representing their shared interests. Over time, its remit broadened as independent book presses and other literary publishers became increasingly important to the U.S. literary ecosystem. The organization changed its name to the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses in 1989. On April 1, 2015, it adopted the name Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, emphasizing a network or community model rather than only a formal council. The change also reflected the breadth of its constituency and its role in connecting publishers with one another, funders, consultants, distributors, readers, and writers. By early 2026, CLMP reported 1,192 member organizations. CLMP’s services include workshops, roundtables, consultations, organizational guidance, and other forms of technical assistance. It maintains a free online directory of independent literary publishers, which helps writers, readers, booksellers, funders, and publishing professionals identify magazines and presses across the United States. Its professional-development work addresses practical issues such as nonprofit administration, fundraising, publishing operations, distribution, digital systems, audience development, and organizational sustainability. The organization also administers or supports grant and award programs. Since 1997, it has administered the New York State Council on the Arts New York State Technical Assistance Program for New York-based independent literary publishers. Its work in this area includes technical assistance and, in some periods, regranting for capacity building. CLMP also administers the Literary Magazine Fund in partnership with the Amazon Literary Partnership. Its awards activity includes the Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature, the Lord Nose Award, and the Constellation Award. These programs recognize independent publishing, lifetime contribution, and presses that support writers of color. CLMP has also served as a coordinating resource during disruptions in the small-press infrastructure. Following the closure of Small Press Distribution in March 2024, it gathered information from affected publishers, conducted surveys, offered consultations, and helped connect publishers with support. In January 2025, it awarded $285,000 through the Small Press Future Fund to 35 literary publishers formerly distributed by Small Press Distribution. This response illustrates CLMP’s broader role: it is not itself a conventional commercial publisher, but a membership and support institution intended to strengthen the independent literary publishing field.

The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses traces its origins to 1967, when it was established as the Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines. The organization emerged with the encouragement of the National Endowment for the Arts at a time when literary magazines played a central role in publishing new poetry, fiction, essays, and criticism but frequently lacked stable institutional support. Its founders were Robie Macauley, Reed Whittemore, Jules Chametzky, George Plimpton, and William Phillips. Poet Carolyn Kizer served as its first leader. The early organization concentrated on representing and strengthening literary magazines. It functioned as a forum through which independent publications could exchange information, develop professional practices, and advocate for the cultural importance of small-scale literary publishing. As the independent press movement grew, the organization increasingly addressed book publishers as well as magazines. This expansion recognized the close relationship between magazines, which often introduce emerging writers, and independent presses, which publish books that may not fit the commercial priorities of larger houses. In 1989, the organization changed its name to the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. The new name formally acknowledged its broader constituency and its role in serving both periodical and book publishers. Its activities developed beyond advocacy to include practical assistance, professional education, networking, funding support, and sector information. The organization became part of the infrastructure that helps independent publishers navigate administration, fundraising, distribution, technology, audience development, and other operational challenges. On April 1, 2015, it adopted the name Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, or CLMP. The current name places emphasis on relationships among members and on the wider independent literary ecosystem. Under this identity, CLMP has continued to provide workshops, roundtables, consultations, and other resources while maintaining a public directory of independent literary publishers. CLMP has also become an administrator of public and philanthropic support. Since 1997, it has administered the New York State Council on the Arts New York State Technical Assistance Program for independent literary publishers based in New York State. The program has provided technical assistance and, when funding has been available, capacity-building support through grants. CLMP additionally administers the Literary Magazine Fund in partnership with the Amazon Literary Partnership. Awards have become another visible part of the organization’s work. CLMP administers the Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature, which recognize independent books and magazines in categories including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and magazine excellence. The current CLMP-administered version began in 2015 after the earlier awards had last been presented in 2002. Since 2017, CLMP has administered the Lord Nose Award for a lifetime of achievement in literary publishing. In 2021, it introduced the Constellation Award, an annual $10,000 award for an independent literary press that champions writing by people of color. The closure of Small Press Distribution in March 2024 highlighted CLMP’s infrastructure role. The distributor’s shutdown affected numerous literary publishers, and CLMP responded with guidance, surveys, consultations, and other forms of coordination. In January 2025, it distributed $285,000 in Small Press Future Fund grants among 35 affected publishers. By early 2026, CLMP reported 1,192 member organizations, illustrating the scale of the network it had developed from its original focus on literary magazines.

• 2025

  Distributes Small Press Future Fund grants

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  CLMP awarded $285,000 to 35 literary publishers formerly distributed by Small Press Distribution.

• 2024

  Coordinates support after Small Press Distribution closes

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  CLMP organized guidance, surveys, and consultations for publishers affected by the shutdown of Small Press Distribution.

• 2021

  Launches the Constellation Award

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  CLMP introduced an annual $10,000 award for an independent literary press that supports and champions writing by people of color.

• 2017

  Begins administering the Lord Nose Award

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  CLMP began administering the annual award honoring a lifetime of contribution to literary publishing.

• 2015

  Adopts the name Community of Literary Magazines and Presses

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  On April 1, 2015, the organization adopted its current name and identity.

• 2015

  Firecracker Awards relaunch under CLMP administration

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  CLMP launched the current version of the Firecracker Awards for independently published books and magazines after the earlier awards had ended in 2002.

• 1997

  Begins administering the New York State Technical Assistance Program

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  CLMP began administering the New York State Council on the Arts technical-assistance program for independent literary publishers in New York State.

• 1989

  Name changed to the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  The renamed organization formally recognized its work with independent literary presses in addition to magazines.

• 1967

  Organization founded as the Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines

  [1]Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was established with encouragement from the National Endowment for the Arts to support and represent independent literary magazines.

A national support and infrastructure organization for independent literary publishing, positioned as a connector, advocate, professional-development provider, and grant and awards administrator for literary magazines and small presses.

• Publisher support services

  Professional development and technical assistance

  CLMP provides workshops, roundtables, one-on-one consultations, and practical resources for independent literary publishers. The support addresses organizational and publishing needs such as administration, fundraising, distribution, technology, audience development, and long-term capacity building.

• Information service

  Independent literary publisher directory

  CLMP maintains a free online directory of independent literary magazines and presses. The directory functions as a discovery and reference tool for writers, readers, booksellers, funders, and publishing professionals seeking information about the independent literary field.

• Literary awards · 2015

  Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature

  The Firecracker Awards recognize books and magazines published by independent literary publishers. Award categories include fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, magazines/general excellence, and magazines/best debut. CLMP has administered the current version since its 2015 relaunch.

• Literary publishing award · 2017

  Lord Nose Award

  The Lord Nose Award recognizes a lifetime of work and contribution in literary publishing. CLMP has administered the annual award since 2017 as part of its effort to honor the people who sustain independent literary culture.

• Literary publishing grant or award · 2021

  Constellation Award

  Launched in 2021, the Constellation Award provides an annual $10,000 prize to an independent literary press that champions writing by people of color.

• Grant and technical-assistance program · 1997

  New York State Technical Assistance Program

  Since 1997, CLMP has administered the New York State Council on the Arts New York State Technical Assistance Program for eligible independent literary publishers based in New York State. The program combines technical assistance with capacity-building support and, in some periods, regranting.

• Funding program

  Literary Magazine Fund

  CLMP administers the Literary Magazine Fund in partnership with the Amazon Literary Partnership, providing support intended to strengthen independent literary magazines.

• 2025

  Small Press Future Fund grant distributionOther

  Background

  Publishers formerly served by Small Press Distribution faced financial and operational disruption after the distributor closed.

  Action taken

  CLMP awarded $285,000 in grants to 35 affected literary publishers.

  Aftermath

  The grants provided targeted assistance to publishers working to rebuild or replace distribution capacity.

  Small Press Future Fund grants. $285,000 awarded (January 2025)

  Source

• 2024

  Emergency support response following Small Press Distribution closureStrategy

  Background

  Small Press Distribution ceased operations in March 2024, leaving numerous independent literary publishers without their established distribution infrastructure.

  Action taken

  CLMP gathered questions and information from affected publishers, conducted surveys, hosted consultations, and helped coordinate support.

  Aftermath

  The response led to continued assistance for affected publishers, including Small Press Future Fund grants distributed in 2025.

  Source

• 2015

  Adoption of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses nameStrategy

  Background

  The organization had expanded beyond its original focus on literary magazines to serve independent presses and a wider range of literary publishers.

  Action taken

  It changed its name from the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses to Community of Literary Magazines and Presses on April 1, 2015.

  Aftermath

  The new identity emphasized an interconnected membership community and the organization’s broader infrastructure and support role.

  Source

1. 1Community of Literary Magazines and Pressesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Community of Literary Magazines and Presses official websiteclmp.org