CLMP Small Press Research Findings

***please note that these finding are from a report based on members of CLMP (Community of Literary Magazines and Presses)

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About 30% of all book sales are in the fourth quarter (relatively consistent annually)  

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An average title in the U.S. sells 500-1000 copies.

5000+ = major hit (usually Big 5 publisher)

Big 5 publishers publish nearly 1 million titles per year (~80% of overall titles)  

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22% of primary operations are in… New York.

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75% of small presses have average print runs of less than 1,000 (and less than 10 titles)

56% of small press titles have an average print run of less than 500

19% less than 750

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51% of small presses publish 1-5 titles per year

24% publish 6-10

10% publish 11-15

4% publish 16-20

5% publish 21-25

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“64% of presses have either 1 or 2 genre focuses…a large majority of members have a poetry focus (72%)”

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Most presses publish “softcover” & “ebooks”

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As you might have guessed, advances are not common.

Only one member press offered an advance of more than $5,000.

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About ¼ of small presses do not pay royalties.

Common royalty percentages vary between 10-15% with 10-12.5% being the most common.

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69% of titles are listed for less than $20.

Nearly half of small presses say they have a budget of less than $3,000 per title.

Few presses have more than $7,500-$10,000 to spend (including editorial, design, printing, shipping, distribution, marketing)

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70% of small presses have a revenue of under $50,000

Backlist titles do not make up a large percentage of sales (generally 5-20%)

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