Peer Publisher Advisors

Wondering how to negotiate with a distributor? Trying to get 501(c)3status? Have a question about author contracts?

Your fellow CLMP member publishers have extensive experience on these and many other aspects of publishing literature. Often you’ll find that simply talking to another publisher saves you from reinventing the wheel. Through the Peer Publisher Advisor Program, CLMP can put you in touch with other literary publishers who have already navigated the stormy seas of a particular publishing dilemma and are willing to share that knowledge with their colleagues.

The Peer Publisher Advisors will soon be available on our site in an easily searchable database. While that database is under construction, you can still get in touch with Peer Advisors by contacting Aimee Kelley at CLMP.

The following topics are presently addressed by the Peer Publisher Advisors:

Production

• Desktop layout and design
• Website development
• Finding/Negotiating with a printer

• Working with volunteers/interns
• Bookkeeping
• Database management and/or design

• Finding/Negotiating with freelance editors
• Working with literary agents
• Author contracts

• Developing a board of directors
• Grant proposal writing
• Individual/donor campaign

• Selling advertising
• New subscription campaigns
• Subscription renewals
• Subscription/Order fulfillment

• Planning and executing special events
• Negotiating with a distributor
• Negotiating with a host institution
• Publicity/Public Relations

Participating publishers have also offered advice on these topics, including:

Directing competitions; Conference planning; Copyright issues for magazines; Developing advisory boards; Small press start-up; 501(c)3 status; Developing annual business plans; Exchange ads; Compiling a special issue; Layout by hand; Artwork (drawing/photography); Street vendors; Attracting appropriate submissions; and others.

Protocol

Please keep the following guidelines in mind when contacting fellow members:

• Contact them via the means they have requested.
• Try to keep the exchange limited to about 15 minutes, and respect that they might be facing strict deadlines of their own.
• If you have to leave messages, either call back later or have them return your call collect.
• Remember that these exchanges are not intended to be in-depth consulting relationships, rather the sharing of advice and experience among colleagues.

I would like to find a Peer Publisher Advisor.