Serpent's Tail
Pete Ayrton established Serpent's Tail in London during 1986. The new firm focused immediately on translated European crime fiction. This choice set a distinct path away from mainstream British publishing of that era. Ayrton sought to bring voices from across the continent to English readers. The early catalog reflected this specific geographic and genre focus. Readers found hard-boiled noir alongside cultural reportage that felt left-field. Boyd Tonkin later described this list as often defining the meaning of cool.
The independent firm changed hands in January 2007 when Profile Books purchased it. This acquisition marked a significant shift for the London-based publisher. Operational changes followed the transfer of ownership to the larger British entity. The move integrated Serpent's Tail into a broader publishing structure while retaining its identity. The date marks the end of its first decade as an entirely separate company. Profile Books absorbed the existing operations and continued the imprint's work under new management.
Mask Noir served as a specialized book series dedicated to crime fiction. High Risk Books existed between 1993 and 1997 as another distinct imprint. Ira Silverberg and Amy Scholder founded this short-lived division. They aimed to publish innovative, provocative, and progressive literature for a specific audience. William S. Burroughs and Kathy Acker were among the writers featured there. Poetry by Jayne Cortez and collected journalism from Cookie Mueller also appeared in these pages. The strategy involved creating targeted lists rather than a single general catalog.
Boyd Tonkin wrote about the publisher for The Independent newspaper. He described the output as ranging from hard-boiled noir to gems in translation. His assessment noted that the list often defines the meaning of cool. This critical perspective highlights how the firm influenced perceptions of contemporary literature. The press maintained a reputation for selecting works that felt culturally significant. Their approach to publishing translated work remains a central part of their history.
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Common questions
When did Pete Ayrton establish Serpent's Tail in London?
Pete Ayrton established Serpent's Tail in London during 1986. The new firm focused immediately on translated European crime fiction.
Who purchased Serpent's Tail in January 2007?
Profile Books purchased Serpent's Tail in January 2007. This acquisition marked a significant shift for the London-based publisher and integrated operations into a broader structure.
Which authors published novels with Serpent's Tail including David Peace and Michel Houellebecq?
David Peace released Nineteen Seventy-Four as a notable debut novel under their banner while Michel Houellebecq brought Whatever to the attention of English-speaking audiences. Derek Raymond, Elfriede Jelinek, Herta Müller, and Colm Tóibín also contributed major works to the list.
What years did High Risk Books exist between 1993 and 1997?
High Risk Books existed between 1993 and 1997 as another distinct imprint founded by Ira Silverberg and Amy Scholder. William S. Burroughs and Kathy Acker were among the writers featured there alongside poetry by Jayne Cortez.
How did Boyd Tonkin describe the output of Serpent's Tail for The Independent newspaper?
Boyd Tonkin wrote about the publisher for The Independent newspaper and described the output as ranging from hard-boiled noir to gems in translation. His assessment noted that the list often defines the meaning of cool.
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9 references cited across the entry
- 1newsHot books for cool readers: Serpent's Tail at 25 is still the publisher with biteBoyd Tonkin — 20 May 2011
- 9bookHigh Risk: An Anthology of Forbidden WritingsSerpent's Tail — 1991