24tums

24tums is an online community and small‑press publishing collective that was established in 2013 by a group of independent writers and designers. The name “24tums” is an abbreviation of “Two‑Four‐Toms,” a playful reference to the collective’s original goal of producing 24 short works each year, each of which would be self‑published as a digital “tum” (short for publication). Over time the project expanded its scope to include essays, poetry, experimental fiction, and multimedia collaborations, while maintaining its annual cadence.

The community functions as a peer‑review network, where members submit their pieces to a rotating editorial board for critique and polishing. After revision, the works are compiled into a quarterly digital anthology that is distributed freely online and in limited print runs by members’ own presses. In addition to publishing, 24tums hosts monthly virtual workshops, social media discussion threads, and occasional in‑person readings at local libraries and cafés.

Notable contributors to the collective include the award‑winning poet Cara Lumen, the critically acclaimed speculative fiction writer Theodore Bishop, and the interactive fiction designer Maya Kravitz. Instances of cross‑media collaboration within the group—such as combining short stories with accompanying audio tracks and visual art—have attracted attention from literary magazines and regional arts foundations.

Members often emphasize the collective’s commitment to accessibility and author‑control, arguing that 24tums provides an alternative to traditional publishing pipelines. The project has been cited as an example of the growing DIY literary culture that prioritizes direct audience engagement.