New York, NY (December 18, 2024)—We’re pleased to announce that Publishers Weekly has named Mary Gannon, Executive Director of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), a Notable Person of 2024. Gannon is recognized for leading CLMP’s work in supporting independent literary presses impacted by the abrupt closure in March 2024 of Small Press Distribution (SPD), the country’s only nonprofit distributor.
As Jim Milliot wrote in the December 16 issue of Publishers Weekly, “When Small Press Distribution abruptly shut down in late March, hundreds of independent, mostly literary publishers were left scrambling. Into the void stepped Mary Gannon, executive director of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, who quickly turned the association into a go-to resource for news, updates, and guidance.”
“Without CLMP, with Mary Gannon at the helm, publishers affected by SPD’s sudden and shocking closure would have been completely adrift,” Diane Goettel, executive editor at Black Lawrence Press, said. “To this day, CLMP is working tirelessly to help us move forward.”
Established in 1967, CLMP’s mission is to ensure a vibrant, diverse literary landscape by helping mission-driven independent literary presses and magazines thrive. Since SPD’s closure, CLMP has provided information, solutions, programs, funding, and other means of support to the more than 300 presses left with no distribution. CLMP has fielded hundreds of inquiries and reached out directly to all impacted presses; surveyed the field to determine the financial impact these presses have faced; hosted information sessions with literary stakeholders, including warehousing vendors, distributors, fundraising platforms, and funders; shared guidance with publishers about filing claims with SPD and complaints with the California Attorney General’s Office; developed and distributed comprehensive online resources for publishers about SPD’s closure; and offered one-on-one consulting for publishers with a distribution expert and literary consultant free of charge.
Additionally, CLMP launched two grantmaking programs: the NYSCA-CLMP Forward Fund, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through which nonprofit, New York State–based publishers impacted by SPD’s closure could apply for grants of $500 or $1,000, and the Small Press Future Fund, a program funded by the Mellon Foundation, through which presses formerly distributed by SPD could apply for grants of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 to implement projects to help support their operations during this transition.
“The CLMP team has been honored to serve these presses, along with our other members, during this challenging time,” said Gannon. “We’re committed to continuing this important work in 2025.”
About CLMP
CLMP ensures a vibrant, diverse literary landscape by helping mission-driven independent literary magazines and presses thrive. Since 1967, CLMP has provided publishers with funding and technical assistance; facilitated peer-to-peer learning and group action; served as a dependable, essential hub for best practices, resources, and nurturing community support; and connected publishers with other groups of literary stakeholders, including readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, educators, presenting organizations, and funders. Along with directly serving 1,000+ publishers located in every state in the country, CLMP administers the Lit Mag Adoption program, which provides educators and students with discounted magazine subscriptions; the $10,000 Constellation Award, given to honor an independent literary press that is led by and/or champions the writing of people of color for excellence in publishing; and the Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature, which celebrate magazines and books that make a significant contribution to our literary culture, among other programs.
