Editing Small press (section)

== Characteristics ==
Since the profit margins for small presses can be narrow, many are driven by other motives, including the desire to help disseminate literature with only a small likely market. Many presses are also associated with [[crowdfunding]] efforts that help connect authors with readers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/05/the-literary-crowdfunding-boom|title=Kickstarting a books revolution: the literary crowdfunding boom|date=June 5, 2015|website=the Guardian}}</ref>

Small presses tend to fill the niches that larger publishers neglect. They can focus on regional titles, narrow specializations and niche genres.<ref name=":0" /> They can also make up for commercial clout by creating a reputation for [[Academy|academic]] knowledge, vigorously pursuing prestigious literature prizes and spending more effort nurturing the careers of new authors.<ref>Herman, ''Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents, 2007'', pp. 131–132, 367–372.</ref> At its most minimal, small press production consists of [[chapbook]]s. This role can now be taken on by [[desktop publishing]] and [[web site]]s. This still leaves a continuum of small press publishing: from specialist periodicals, short runs or [[print-to-order]] of low-demand books, to [[fine art]] books and limited editions of collectors' items printed to high standards.

Unlike a [[vanity press]] or [[self-publishing]] service, a small press rarely publishes books written by the owner or publisher.<ref name=":0" />  Instead, these are small businesses, often with only a few employees, who select books written by other authors.<ref name=":0" />