Community of Literary Magazines and Presses

Community of Literary Magazines and Presses

The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for the small, independent publishers that form the backbone of the literary ecosystem. Founded in 1967 at the suggestion of the National Endowment for the Arts, CLMP provides a vital “sustaining lifeline” for mission-driven publishers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The organization offers an extensive range of professional services, including technical assistance, business consultations, and “scam-busting” guidance to ensure a diverse and vibrant literary landscape. By fostering a collaborative community where small presses and magazines can share resources and increase their organizational capacity, CLMP helps ensure that essential, underrepresented voices successfully make their way from the writer’s desk to the reader’s hands.

Beyond its role as an industry advocate, CLMP serves as a practical hub for both creators and readers. It maintains a comprehensive, searchable directory of independent publishers and hosts the prestigious annual Firecracker Awards, which celebrate excellence in independently published literature across multiple genres. For writers, the platform is an invaluable resource for finding legitimate calls for submissions and navigating the “how and why” of the publishing world. Through its various grant programs, workshops, and the Literary Writers Conference, CLMP continues to bridge the gap between artistic vision and professional sustainability, making it a cornerstone for anyone committed to the “strange and beautiful” in contemporary literature.