The Book Publication Category offers support for artistic, editorial, production, promotional and distribution costs incurred in the publication of the work of noncommercial literary presses, including electronic publishers. Publishers must principally publish poetry, fiction, drama, or literary (creative) nonfiction. Publishers demonstrating an ongoing commitment to payment of authors’ royalties and editors’ fees will be given priority.

New applicants in the publication categories are required to contact NYSCA staff before the deadline.

Grants in this category may receive multi-year funding where appropriate.

Prerequisites

Noncommercial book publishers must have produced at least two new volumes (not reprints) of poetry, fiction, drama or literary nonfiction in the two years prior to the application deadline. Noncommercial literary magazine publishers must have published at least two separate issues in the two years prior to the application deadline. Double issues count as one issue.

University presses, writing competitions, and projects requiring writers to pay manuscript reading fees are not eligible for Council support.

Application Instructions

The online application form includes the questions below. Applicants are also required to submit: online Organizational Budget for the current fiscal year, Project Budget (please use the Budget Notes section to detail income and expense items), the Book or Literary Magazine Publication Fact Sheet, Cultural Data Project Report and support materials. Book and Literary Magazine Publication applicants are not required to fill out the “Supplemental Publications Schedule” located on the left navigation bar of the online application.

Please note that your request amount should not exceed 50% of the total Project Budget.

New applicants are required to contact NYSCA staff before the deadline.

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

1. Editorial Overview
Describe the editorial approach. Detail the editorial plans for the request year, highlighting any new editorial direction. Summarize plans for the following year.

2. Publishing Schedule
Use the Book Publication Fact Sheet to list the literary titles you published last year and those planned for publication in the request year, noting author, release date, and genre. Note here any significant changes in the volume of publication, providing a reason for the changes. Discuss policy for maintaining and reissuing backlist titles.

3. Artists' Fees
Describe the system and the amounts of payments for editors, authors, and translators. Explain any changes or improvements planned.

Managerial/Fiscal

4. Finances
Describe specific plans, projects and activities for meeting current and future expenses. Detail efforts to increase individual as well as foundation/corporate donations for your press. Include earned income.

5. Governance
Detail the separate functions and activities of your editorial board and your board of directors. Note any changes or improvements in board activity planned for the request year. For sponsored organizations only: List names and titles of principal board members, if not included in the organizational profile accompanying this application.

Service to the Public

6. Audience
Describe the audience for the literary publications.

7. Marketing
Describe specific marketing, sales campaigns, and promotional efforts intended to target and broaden this audience. Note special marketing plans for individual titles.

8. New Technologies/Access
Discuss the use of universal access technologies such as Braille, recorded books, and large type. Describe the use of technologies such as the Internet, e-books, digital readers, print-on-demand, online social networking, etc. to better reach and serve the public, including artists and audiences with disabilities.

Support Materials

9. Support Materials
Please list all of the support materials being submitted. These materials are critical to the application’s assessment. See support material requirements for Book Publication following the Literary Magazine Publication category guidelines.

Budget Notes