Rumors of the closure of Trinity University Press were confirmed this week with an internal announcement of plans to cease operations by December 2026. While this is a blow to the local publishing industry, it’s not the first time this particular press has halted operations.
“I have begun working with the staff to plan this sunsetting process, beginning with a halt to new acquisitions so that we can focus attention on completing current projects and assisting authors in the pipeline with transitioning their book projects to other publishers,” wrote Trinity University Provost Megan Mustain in an internal message sent this week titled “Sunsetting operations of Trinity University Press.”
The expenses related to production and promotion of titles published by the press outpaced its revenue, Mustain said, forcing the university to cover these costs year over year, despite efforts to lower the costs.
Trinity University Press has primarily focused on publishing books about the “history and culture of Texas and the Southwest.” Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
This is not the first time operations have ended at Trinity University Press, which focuses on publishing books that focus on the “history and culture of Texas and the Southwest,” according to its website.
Established in 1961, the press brought recognition to Trinity University with the publication of more than one hundred titles over its first few decades of existence. Despite its perceived success, its operations came to a halt in 1989, only to be revived in the early 2000’s thanks to a $2.9 million grant from the Ewing Halsell Foundation.
Since then, its published authors have included the internationally acclaimed Sandra Cisneros, and the renowned civil rights activist Dolores Huerta among many others.
Today, the nonprofit university press is funded by sustaining organizations and donors such as the El Paso Museum of Art Foundation and The Witte Museum.
The latest announcement is yet another chapter in the history of Trinity University Press. With 16 months to go before its official shut down, it is unclear if another infusion of funds could keep it afloat. As of now, university officials have deemed it unsustainable.
“The costs of running a high-quality small press have become unsustainable in light of the additional investments that the university is making in its educational mission and the core operations that support that mission,” Mustain said.
Trinity University Press relocated to a new space just last fall to include hosting author events, a podcast studio and art installations. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
The sunsetting process over the next year and a half will include completing current publishing projects, halting acquisitions of new ones and supporting the press’ staff, which according to the website consists of 8 members, as they find new employment.
“The dedicated members of the TU Press team are a top priority, of course, and I have shared with them my commitment to supporting them in the difficult work of decommissioning the press,” Mustain said in this week’s announcement.