October 4, 2021 (New York, NY)—The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, the 50-year-old nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting independent literary publishers, has launched the annual Constellation Award to honor an independent literary press that is led by and/or champions the writing of people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American & Pacific Islander individuals for excellence in publishing. This year’s recipient will receive $10,000 and will be announced in December 2021. Penguin Random House is the inaugural underwriter of the award and will also underwrite the award in 2022.
The award is open to English- or Spanish-language independent literary presses based in the United States. Presses must be led by people of color and/or have a demonstrated commitment to championing books by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and AAPI individuals. Presses must also have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their business practices. Applications for the award will be accepted via Submittable October 4 through November 5.
“At Penguin Random House, we are committed to building an inclusive publishing industry and elevating emerging voices,” said Claire von Schilling, EVP, Director, Corporate Communications & Social Responsibility. “CLMP has long championed independent presses on the forefront of discovering new talent, and we are honored to partner with them to launch the new Constellation Award and support more BIPOC creators.”
“With their innovative spirits and inspired dedication, independent literary publishers have been the creative backbone in the publishing industry,” said Mary Gannon, Executive Director of CLMP. “We’re incredibly grateful to Penguin Random House for its support of the Constellation Award and thrilled to celebrate a press that—through its commitment to excellence and racial equity—is a guiding light for the way forward in our field.”
For more information about the Constellation Award, visit www.clmp.org/constellation-award/.
About the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (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 800+ publishers located in almost every state in the country, CLMP administers the Lit Mag Adoption program, which provides educators and students with discounted magazine subscriptions; the annual Indie Lit Fair, in partnership with the PEN World Voices Festival; 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.
