This month marks the fifth anniversary of Small Press Month, a national celebration of independent and small presses -- not to mention the books and authors they publish -- in bookstores and communities across the country.

With the advent of e-commerce, e-publishing and e-books, the role of small presses is rapidly changing. According to a 1999 Book Industry Study Group/Publishers Marketing Association survey, 50,000 independent publishers account for nearly $14.3 billion in book sales. Often able to be more flexible than the larger conglomerates, these adventurous, independent presses are effectively incorporating the latest technologies into their publishing programs, putting them on the cutting edge of publishing today. At the same time, they continue to provide a medium for a panapoly of distinct voices that more mainstream publishing ventures may not be prepared to support.

At BookSense.com, we are more than prepared to give space to the efforts of small presses and the wonderful variety of books they publish. Click on the links below to read some of the best books written by and for independent minds by independent publishers -- and featured at your local independent bookstore!