When was Serpent's Tail founded and by whom?
Serpent's Tail was founded in 1986 by Pete Ayrton. Ayrton established the firm in London as a defiant act of cultural rebellion against the stagnant British publishing landscape.
Common questions about Serpent's Tail
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the primary mission of Serpent's Tail in the mid 1980s?
The primary mission of Serpent's Tail was to import the raw, unfiltered voices of Europe and the Americas into the British market. Ayrton bet his own money on the idea that the British public was hungry for the gritty, the translated, and the politically radical.
When did Serpent's Tail launch the High Risk Books imprint and who founded it?
Serpent's Tail launched the High Risk Books imprint in 1993. Ira Silverberg and Amy Scholder founded this venture which operated until 1997.
Which Nobel laureate did Serpent's Tail publish to bring Japanese literature to English readers?
Serpent's Tail published Nobel laureate Kenzaburō Oe to bring the complex, often surreal narratives of Japanese literature to a wider audience. The firm also championed the work of Elfriede Jelinek and the German writer Herta Müller.
When was Serpent's Tail acquired by Profile Books and what was the result?
Serpent's Tail was acquired by Profile Books in January 2007. This acquisition allowed the firm to continue its work with greater resources while maintaining its identity as a publisher of choice for those who sought the unconventional.