Small Press Month

Categories:: Appreciation
Tags:: Awareness Books
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March
Holiday emoji:: 📚

Small Press Month dedicates every March to recognizing the vital contributions of independent publishers and authors. This annual observance champions the diverse voices and innovative stories brought to readers by smaller, often overlooked, presses. Explore new literary landscapes and support the creators who enrich our cultural tapestry.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected Small Press Month Deals

Small Press Month in 2027 is an ideal time for readers to discover unique literary gems and for publishers to connect with new audiences. Expect independent bookstores like Powell’s Books and Strand Bookstore to feature curated displays and special discounts on titles from small presses. Online retailers such as Bookshop.org and IndieBound will likely highlight independent publishers with dedicated promotions and author spotlights. Many small presses themselves, including Coffee House Press and Graywolf Press, may offer direct-to-consumer sales or bundle deals on their websites. Literary festivals and writing organizations will host virtual and in-person events, providing platforms for authors and publishers to engage with the public. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March approaches.

Platform Guide for Small Press Month

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #SmallPressMonth. Share insights on the publishing industry or spotlight your favorite indie authors.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SmallPressMonth. Share visually appealing book covers, author interviews, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of small press operations.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #SmallPressMonth. Join discussions about literary trends, share reviews of indie books, or promote upcoming releases from small presses.

Small Press Month Hero

Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021) was an American poet, painter, social activist, and the co-founder of City Lights Bookstore and City Lights Publishers in San Francisco. A key figure in the Beat Generation, he championed independent voices and challenged literary censorship, making City Lights a beacon for small press publishing and counterculture literature.

History of Small Press Month

National Small Press Month was started in 1996 by New York City’s Small Press Center and the Publishers Marketing Association based in California. It put the smaller publishing companies in the spotlight and encouraged them to continue alongside big publishing houses. It is a time to spotlight authors and their representation. Many small publishers are challenging the status quo and working with authors that the traditional publishers choose not to sign.

A 1999 survey by the Book Industry Study Group surprised people with its conclusions. The research concluded that 50,000 small publishers made $14.3 billion in sales that year! The population of Independent publishers has skyrocketed since then. It can be difficult for the small press companies to get their products to the public when they need to go up against the larger companies.

To celebrate Small Press Month, local libraries and bookstores often create displays of small press books; it is helpful to the average reader. It is worth celebrating as Small Publishers get their work out there despite the sea of big players in the industry.

Small Press Month timeline

1996

Small Press Month is Established

Small Press Month is created by the Publishers Marketing Association and Small Press Center.

1999

Self Publishing Takes off on the Internet

Blogger gives people free blogs to share their work.

2007

Amazon Releases Kindle

Amazon releases Kindle and makes it easier to read ebooks.

2011

Ebooks Outsell Print Books

Ebooks outsell print books on Amazon for the first time.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Small Press Month

Local businesses, especially independent bookstores, cafes, and libraries, can celebrate Small Press Month by curating special displays of books from small presses. Host author readings, book club discussions focused on indie titles, or partner with local writers’ groups for open mic nights. Offer discounts on small press books or create ‘blind date with a book’ promotions featuring lesser-known gems. Cafes can feature local authors or display books for sale, creating a literary atmosphere that encourages discovery and support for the independent publishing community.

Small Press Month FAQs

When is Small Press Month?

In 2027, Small Press Month will again take place throughout March, from Monday, March 1, to Wednesday, March 31. This annual observance is a consistent fixture on the literary calendar.

What is a small press?

Defining a small press often involves considering its annual revenue, number of titles published, and distribution reach. These presses are crucial for literary diversity, frequently taking risks on authors and subjects that larger houses might overlook, fostering innovation in the publishing world.

How many small presses are there?

The independent publishing sector is vibrant and constantly evolving, with new small presses emerging regularly. This dynamic landscape ensures a rich variety of voices and perspectives continue to reach readers, contributing significantly to the broader literary ecosystem.

Why is Small Press Month important?

The observance of Small Press Month helps to raise awareness and drive support for these vital cultural institutions. By championing small presses, readers and industry professionals ensure a more robust, varied, and inclusive literary landscape for future generations.

Small Press Month Activities

Take up writing courses
Learning to write better never stops. With Small Press Month, be inspired to take writing courses to improve your writing skills.
Join a book club
A book club throws laziness and procrastination out the window when it comes to books. It is a way to celebrate Small Press Month as it helps you read good books.
Support small publishers
Support small publishers by buying their books. It helps you gain more knowledge and support the industry.

5 Facts About Reading Books

Reading reduces stress
Yes, you read that right! Reading reduces stress by 68%.
Owning books matters
When children have a home library with about 20 books, they are ahead of their peers.
It doesn’t take much to read
Reading 20 minutes a day gets you to read about 1,8000,000 words in a year.
Reading pays off
Children who read 1,000,000 books a year are in the top 2% of reading achievement.
Reading builds vocabulary faster
Children learn 4,000 to 12,000 words per year through reading.

Why We Love Small Press Month

It helps recognize small publishers
Small Press Month has been a good initiative in that it helps recognize and appreciate small publishers. These publishers manage to carve out something for themselves amid big publishers with hefty budgets.
It encourages reading books
Books contain a lot of knowledge, so a month dedicated to appreciating publishers of books cannot harm. Books make you smarter!
It encourages upcoming writers
We can never have too many writers as knowledge is limitless. An upcoming writer will be encouraged to continue their chosen path seeing that small publishers are appreciated.