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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NYCIP?

The NYCIP, established in 1984, serves as a forum for independent book publishers and is actively involved in increasing the public's awareness of important creative works published by independent presses. The CIP encourages excellence and free expression in publishing through public lectures, book fairs, exhibits, publisher workshops and other programs -- many held at its literary landmark building in NYC.

The NYCIP’s annual signature programs include: the Independent and Small Press Book Fair; National Small Press Month, and its host of reading marathons, lectures, and publishing workshops; the New York Round Table Writers’ Conference; and the series, Emerging Voices: Writers Published by Groundbreaking Independent Presses. In addition, each year the Center bestows the Poor Richard Award to a publisher who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of independent publishing. Recent recipients include Peter Mayer (Overlook Press), Barney Rosett (Grove Press) and Peter Workman (Workman).

With its ever-expanding calendar of events, and by offering extensive publisher membership benefits, the NYCIP is the go-to place for independent publishers seeking to network with each other, as well as with industry insiders, while gaining a more competitive edge in today's marketplace.

The NYCIP is an educational program of the 501 (c)(3) non-profit institution, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen.

Where is the NYCIP located?

The NYCIP is located at 20 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan, tucked away in a corner office of the landmark library of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen. Conveniently located between Fifth Avenue and Times Square the Small Press Center is in the heart of what may be called "Literary Row," where The New Yorker once flourished and the Algonquin Roundtable crew used to spike their drinks with wit. Directions to the NYCIP

What is a "small press"?

The loose definition which we use for a "small press" is a publisher whose print runs usually do not exceed 5,000 per book and who produces fewer than 12 books per year. There are an estimated 80,000 publishers in the country today publishing books in a wide range of genres, many of these are considered to be small press or independent publishers.

What is the difference between a "small press" and an "independent press"?

Practically speaking, many independent presses may also qualify as small presses. The difference is that the "raison d'etre" for independent publishers is not their small size but the types of books they publish and their cultural and financial point-of-view. Other independent publishers may be larger in size, and not considered to be a small press at all. As general rule, independent publishers are non-conglomerate, non-publicly listed publishers.

Who can join the NYCIP?

There are two levels of membership: Publisher Members and Friends/Corporate Members. Publisher Membership is open to all independent book, journal, audio and electronic publishers. Publishers who charge the cost of production, editing or distribution to the author, whose business model is primarily to sell books back to the author, his/her family and associates are ineligible. There are many benefits that publisher members enjoy, including access to the NYCIP Executive Director, staff, committee members, committee chairs and publishing industry leaders. Members are encouraged to take an active role on committees, which provide an additional opportunity to build a network of valuable professional contacts and friendships. Our Friends/Corporate Members are a welcome and valued constituency. Your generous support enables the Center to provide programming and services for indie publishers, writers and the general public. Friends/Corporate Members are open to anyone interested in independent publishing, including individuals, corporations, authors, booksellers, librarians, publishing industry suppliers and vendors. As a part nonprofit organization, the NYCIP relies on the support of friends and other donators as our main sources of income. Indie press publishers are invited to take advantage of our helpful services, unique benefits (e.g., publishers’ liability insurance and trade discounts) and convenient facilities located in Midtown Manhattan by becoming members of the NYCIP. Join the Center for Independent Publishing

How is the NYCIP funded?

Some of our funds come from individual contributors, friends, year-end donations, and our annual benefit. We also receive grants and generate revenue from our educational programs and membership fees. The NYCIP is an educational program of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen and is also supported by the Society.

As a writer, what can the NYCIP do for me?

The NYCIP helps writers become more informed about the publishing process and provides writers with an opportunity to network with independent press publishers at its events throughout the year. The NYCIP produces the highly acclaimed annual two-day New York Round Table® Writers' Conference. The conference provides unprecedented access to the nation's leading literary figures, including editors, agents, publicists, reviewers, bestselling authors and publishers, speaking on the business and career of writing. The conference, founded in 2003, has built a reputation for quality instruction from knowledgeable publishing insiders. In addition, we directly aid writers through our Reference Center on Writing and Publishing and various workshops and lectures held throughout the year. For more information about the New York Round Table® Writers' Conference visit www.writersconferencenyc.org.

How can I publish my book?

For those wishing to publish their manuscripts, they are many different ways to go about it. A really useful book with a good overview of the publishing process is Judith Appelbaum's book, How to Get Happily Published. You have the choice of publishing your book through a large publishing firm, medium-sized publishers, or small presses. Other options include print-on-demand and self publishing. Literary agents are useful if you are interested in publishing your book through the large firms, as 80% of all of their new material comes through literary agents. They match up manuscripts with appropriate publishers and negotiate contracts. Link to ten steps to finding a literary agent. In addition to the large firms, authors may consider publishing through independent or small presses, which tend to be smaller, less risk adverse firms which often concentrate on a specific field, region, or market. Print-on-demand offers standard publishing services, though this requires the author to invest the money. Please note that the NYCIP does not recommend using any subsidy or "vanity" publishing. The final option available,self-publishing, has the author deal directly with the editor, cover artist, designer, and printer. The author also handles the marketing as well as the distribution of the book. 10 Basic Steps to Self-Publishing and 10 Steps to Finding a Publisher.

How can I find an indie press publisher?

The NYCIP does not directly link writers with publishing companies as a literary agent would, though we do provide the resources to make aspiring authors as informed as possible about the publishing process. Our biggest piece of advice is to do all the research you can before approaching publishing companies. Look at books in your field of choice, both on-line and in bookstores, and become aware of which firms are publishing books similar to yours. We also recommend learning as much as possible about the publisher to whom you are sending your manuscript and sending an informed, interesting letter of query to publishers in the first instance.

As a small publishing company, what can the NYCIP do for me?

The following resources are available to our publisher members:

New! Expanded web presence - our online directory at www.NYCIP.org currently lists up-to-date publisher members by name and subject matter. Visitors to our website can obtain your contact information or directly follow our convenient link to your website. Coming soon: a list of your books on our website along with color images of the book covers and links, leading visitors to web outlets where they can directly order your books.
Advance notice and discount for the Independent & Small Press Book Fair - our biggest event of the year, with 200 presses and over 3,000 visitors taking part in a weekend of sales, readings, and special programs.
Reduced ad rates in the New York Times Book Review - reach over 3.7 million readers at 50% off the open book review ad rate - an incredible savings offer available only to NYCIP publisher members.
Your books displayed in a prime location - in the General Society Library, where thousands of readers may examine your titles and order your books directly from you.
Book promotion in our display windows - an opportunity to highlight your company's titles to thousands of passersby on West 44th Street at a very modest cost.
Free office space for out-of-town publishers - in the heart of the city, and a mere stroll from all major transportation, we have a convenient office where publisher members can attend to all their business needs while in Manhattan.
Balcony space for readings and book receptions - space in our landmark building, at a very low rate. Please ask about the facilities available, including kitchen privileges.
Invitations and advance notice - to lectures, readings, and special events throughout the year, including the Ben Award reception, where we honor an important contributor to the independent publishing movement.
Research on book manufacturing, marketing, and publishing - our Reference Center on Writing and Publishing maintains 2,000 titles for your research needs. Please feel free to call our Publishers' Help Line with any questions at 212.764.7021.
Discounts - on workshops; leading publisher magazines; workshop CDs; NYCIP events and Publisher Liability Insurance. . . . new publisher discounts added monthly!

In addition to this, what else do I need to know if I'm starting a publishing company?

There is still a huge amount of business and legal information to grapple with. The best thing for new publishers is to do as much research as possible. Attend workshops at the NYCIP. Use our events to network with other publishing professionals. Speak with people you know who have recently gone through the process themselves. Seek professional advice. Ideally, a good accountant, knowledgeable publishing lawyer and reliable publishing consultant should be part of your team. Keep in mind that your most important assets are intangible assets. Those assets include your publishing contract and the goodwill associated with your company’s name. Make sure your publishing contract is fair to both you and your authors. Take time to understand what it says and how it can affect your profitability, and ability to sell the company at a later date. Other useful resources include books that are packed with relevant publishing information, such as Publishing for Profit by Thomas Woll or self-publishing books, such as Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual, or The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss which also serves as a comprehensive guide for those interested in entering the world of self-publishing.

How do I self-publish my book?

The first basic step to self-publishing is to select and write a manuscript which you feel there will be a market for. Be careful of publishing scams! Some of the options available for self publishers are glorified vanity publishing operations, where the primary customer for the book is the author – this includes certain online and on demand publishers. Mind you, not all print on demand operations are to be equated with vanity publishing, but, you need to be careful. The next step is to generate working capital for your project, followed by deciding on a design for your book, selecting a printer, and estimating your costs. Timing is everything! If you don’t launch your book properly, it may never see the light of day. Make sure you set a realistic publication date and time reviews and press coverage to coincide with your publication date. The publication date is usually 4 to 6 weeks after the book ships from the warehouse or is commercially available. You may also start sending ARCs to reviewers (usually 4 months in advance of publication), as many prefer to review a book before it is published. Make sure you send copies to Booklist and Library Journal, which tend to give indie press books coverage. You can then plan your marketing strategy and learn about retail and wholesale ways of selling the book. The next step is to plan the warehousing, shipping procedures, and order processing, and to decide on a distribution mechanism. Finally, publish, promote, and market your book. Self-publishing does offer the potential for greater financial rewards than traditional publishing and the opportunity to retain control of your book. However, be aware that there are certain publications, such as The New York Times, that will not review self-published books. For more information see Ten Basic Steps to Self-Publishing.

How do I become a publisher?

Before becoming a publisher, you should decide the level of commitment you are willing to put into your business and how you will deal with your business through the difficult times. You should consider how you will fund your company, what your editorial concept and niche will be, how many books you will realistically be able to publish, and how you will market those books for your target audience. After determining a plan, you should begin to put it into action, making sure your program runs on a consistent schedule. Remember, the quality and consistency of the books you publish is more important than the number of books. Through consistent business methods, you will begin to build a credible reputation for your publishing company.

How do I find a title for my publishing company?

Both federal and state law provides trademark protection for company names (and series titles). Pick a name that is not likely to be confused with another publisher or information provider’s name. If it is confusingly similar to another publisher’s name, you could be infringing their trademark rights. Remember, rights in a trademark accrue through its use not registration. Therefore, in addition to the Trademark Office database (www.uspto.gov), check directories such as Literary Market Place, or on-line sources such as Google.com or the internet yellow pages to make sure no one else is using a confusingly similar name for similar purposes. If you are considering investing a lot of money in your company, or plan to be successful, you may wish to consider hiring a trademark attorney to conduct a professional trademark search for you. And remember, just because the secretary of state said your corporate name is available, it does not mean it is cleared for use in a trademark senses. Pick a clever, yet general name that would be appropriate for an assortment of books and avoid choosing an overly "cutesy" name; you will be stuck with your name once your company takes off. You may want to try for a name at the beginning of the alphabet so that your company will appear earlier in the directory. Try to obtain the URL that corresponds to your company name. To avoid cyber-squatters and typo-squatters, obtain URLs with different variations of your name as well as common misspellings. Also, make sure that it is easy to spell and pronounce the name so that people can find it easily among the listings. If you wish, you may register your name as a trademark with either the federal or state government. (See, Trademark Basics for Publishers).

Does my book need a copyright? If so how do I get one?

We strongly recommend that you register the copyright in your books and your authors’ books promptly upon publication or release. While registration with the US Copyright Office is not mandatory, there are several important advantages to registration. First, registration is a prerequisite to bringing a copyright infringement suit in the US. The second reason, and perhaps most important reason, is a copyright owner who registers within three months of publication (i.e., initial commercial release of a book) will be eligible to receive "statutory damages" and "legal costs and attorneys' fees" from a copyright infringer. Publisher websites can also be registered with the Copyright Office. If you don’t register promptly, you will be denied these rights. Forms may be downloaded at the Copyright Office website which also has other helpful information: www.copyright.gov

Written correspondence regarding copyrights may be sent to:

Copyright Office
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20559-6000

What is an ISBN and does my book need one?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Numbering. The ISBN is an identification system for books that has been used around the world since the late 1960s. Each edition of your work will need a different ISBN number. The number helps your product to be properly identified by everyone from distributors and booksellers to librarians. Large retailers will not accept your book unless it has an ISBN number.

How do I obtain an ISBN number for my book?

To obtain an ISBN number, you may contact R.R. Bowker for an application form and further information:

International Standard Book Numbering/U.S. Agency
R.R. Bowker
121 Chanlon Road
New Providence, NJ 07974
(908-665-6770)

You may also apply and find information on-line: www.bowker.com
Further questions regarding copyrights and ISBN numbers can be directed to the Copyright Office Recorded Information System, 202-707-3000. If your questions are not answered by the pre-recorded message, you may wait to be put through to the next available information specialist.

How do I find a printer for my book?

The first step to getting a printer is to put together a list of job specifications, including: the title, publication date, required ship date, trim size (width and height in inches), quantity, page count, prepress (in what form they will receive the text and jacket and if you want any prepress such as scanning or artwork done), proofs, printing, paper (weight and finish), binding, freight, and extra options. Then, put together a list of printers you want to send the job out to and ask for quotes. When comparing quotes, the cost should be taken into account, though customer service and how comfortable you feel with the printer should also be taken into consideration.

How can I get reviews for my book?

Books reviews are an important way to spread the word on your book, though it is often difficult to receive significant reviews for books that have been published independently, as the book editors typically receive hundreds of books a week. In addition to well-known publications, sending your book to reviewers who are interested in independently published books is also helpful. You should consider seeking out publications that will reach your target audience. After determining a list of the publications that you would like to have review your book, send them galleys or review copies along with a press release. Important! Some publications require that you send them bound uncorrected proofs, or advance reading copies (ARCs) up to four months in advance of the official publication date. Be sure you meet these deadlines. After you have sent out your book, do not simply sit back and wait for the reviews to come pouring in-- make brief follow-up calls and to check that the books have been received. When you are given a chance to speak to a reviewer, either in person or over the phone, always keep your pitch as short as possible.

With limited resources and time, how should I market my book effectively?

By establishing a realistic target audience for your book, you can determine where you should concentrate your marketing efforts. For example, if you are only able to produce ten bound galley or ARCs, you should send them out to the ten review outlets that are most likely to reach your target audience, included among them Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. If you are only able to organize a limited number of events, choose locations that will be most attractive to your target audience. Most important, work closely with your author. Several months prior to release of the book, have her fill out an author marketing questionnaire. She knows her audience best. Select a cover design and color scheme that you think will be most attractive to your audience. E-mail is also a free way to get the word out on your book. Looking for blogs and e-mail lists read by your audience is an effective way to reach them.

What is the difference between distributors and wholesalers?

Most book retailers will not purchase your book unless it is sold by a book distributor or book wholesaler. Distributors and wholesalers both sell your book and act as your billing and fulfillment department. Unlike bookstore and library wholesalers, distributors almost always work on an exclusive basis. Wholesalers will fulfill your orders, but do not actively promote your book. The two largest wholesalers are Baker & Taylor and Ingram. As a member of the NYCIP you are eligible to participate in Baker & Taylor's Partner Program.

Under the Partner Program your title(s) will be listed in their database and available for order by their customers. A distributor, unlike a wholesaler, will act as your sales department and seek out orders for your book through sale representatives, catalog mailings, and other sales promotion activities. Unlike wholesalers, distributors focus on front list, or new titles. A distributor will charge a fee (usually a percent of net sales or what they collect from the stores, the standard being 25%), as opposed to wholesalers, who merely ask for a discount on your book to sell at their stores at a lower rate (the standard being 55%).

Selected Bibliography
How to Get Happily Published, Judith Appelbaum, HarperResource; 5th edition (May 1, 1998)
Publishing for Profit, Thomas Woll, Chicago Review Press; 2nd Rev&Ex edition (September 2002)
The Self-Publishing Manual, Dan Poynter, Para Publishing; 14th edition (August 10, 2003)
The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days, Fern Reiss, Peanut Butter and Jelly Press; (April 1, 2003)
The Copyright Permission & Libel Handbook, Lloyd Jassin & Steven Schechter, John Wiley & Sons (1998)

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