The New York Center for Independent Publishing

Editorial - An Industry Wake-Up Call

Amazon’s attempt to control the digital supply chain is the subject of Lloyd Jassin's editorial subtitled "An Industry Wake-Up Call." Lloyd is Chair of the CIP's Executive Committee

Amazon's Book Surge Gambit Changes the Digital Landscape

By Lloyd Jassin

Chair, CIP Executive Committee

Recently, the industry was shaken by an announcement by Amazon that the company was changing its order fulfillment policy. In a nutshell, Amazon threatened to disable a book's "Buy Now" button if that book's publishing company did not subscribe to Book Surge Print, an Amazon owned print-on-demand (POD) printing service. Many called it a blatant attempt at a monopoly, because Book Surge is the only POD option available if one wishes to sell books through Amazon using its coveted "Buy Now" button. (Read More)

Sandy Taylor Memorial Service

A memorial service will be held on Friday May 9 in celebration of the life of Sandy Taylor, publisher of Curbstone Press. More Information

Publisher Profile – Peter Mayer (Overlook Press)

Photo © Miriam Berkley

Overlook Press, founded by Peter Mayer in 1971, is one of the pre-eminent independent publishers in America. Launched as a home for distinguished books that had been “overlooked” by larger houses, it was, ironically founded by Peter while he was head of a large commercial publishing house. Below is Carol Hoenig’s fascinating interview with the CIP’s most recent “Publisher of the Year” award recipient, Peter Mayer . . .

Q: Mr. Mayer, you have been in the book business for a number of years, first at Avon and then Chief Executive at Penguin before you started Overlook Press, which was founded in 1971. What inspired you to take on such a venture?

A: Actually, the Overlook Press was started during my Avon paperback years. I undertook to the Hearst Corporation (who owned Avon then) that the books I published would only be in hardcover and would not be in conflict in any way with my duties as the head of Avon. In fact, the first book was intended to be the first and last book. It was a book in German called AUFBAU and was meant to honor both the newspaper of that name, which was published in New York in German until about two years ago, and also the passage of my family and that of many other exiles from Nazi Germany to many countries, but principally to the United States. (Full Peter Mayer Interview)

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CIP Press Clips: The CIP in the News

Splat!, the CIP’s first annual comic confab makes a splash in PW. Click here

New York Times features our Small & Independent Press Book Fair. Click here

School Library Journal spews high praise for Splat! Symposium. Click here

Galley Cat purrs about 4th Annual NY Round Table Writers’ Confab. Click here

CIP "Click-to-Watch" Videos Last May Executive Director Karin Taylor unveiled a new name and logo for the Center, and Chairman Lloyd Jassin introduced indie publishing legend Barney Rosset to mark the event. PubBuzz was there to record the historic event. Click-to-Watch

New Publisher & Industry Members

The CIP welcomes our new members and supporters.

Galavant Press

New Friends of the Center

Aubible - Jennifer Artarian

Barth Foundation

K. Blumenthal

David Cleveland

Jenny Fitzsimmons

Joseph L. Mackin

Manny Mavrikakis

Tina Morse

Melissa A Rosati

Gina Furia Rubel

Ivy Shih-Leung

John Sinclair

Linda Stevenson Margaret D. Sullivan

Whimsey Literary Agency

John R. Wennersten

Member Services

We’ve added new member services, including a new Publisher’s Liability Insurance Broker to our roster of brokers. For more information e-mail member services at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Please type “Insurance” in the subject line.

Event Photos Now Posted!

About the Center

The Center serves the nation's most innovative publishers. Our mission, supported by our venerable parent organization, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, itself founded in 1785, is to nurture excellence in independent publishing through our many educational and cultural programs. Our signature programs include: The Independent and Small Press Book Fair, National Small Press Month and the New York Round Table Writers’ Conference . Throughout the year, in our intimate literary landmark building on West 44th Street we provide programs for members to explore their creativity and sharpen their publishing skills. We are the go-to place on literary row where people go to network with industry insiders. For more details on membership benefits, and to join, click here. or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

The Nation: Politics at the Center of the Storm

A recent program from the Labor, Landmark and Literature series featuring the pioneering political blogger with The Nation’s “Online Beat” and the magazine’s Washington correspondent, John Nichols has been posted on Channel Thirteen's Forum. Watch the video

The NYCIP helps independent publishers reach a wider audience, drawing public awareness to their unique offerings. NYCIP encourages excellence and free expression in publishing through workshops, lectures, book fairs, exhibits, and its reference center on writing and publishing.

NYCIP GETS A FACELIFT
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