Salt Books

Salt Books WELCOME to Salt, one of the UK’s great independent publishers, established in 1999. It has compelled me to read outside the box. Salt was founded in 1999.

Over twenty-five years, we have grown into a daring literary powerhouse, winning over twenty awards around the world. ‘In a publishing world where everything seems to be about agglomeration, it’s cheering to see a company making a sustained case for the power of the small and the singular. I have been surprised and delighted by so many of Salt’s books over the years. Watching its list grow and dev

elop has been an unpredictable pleasure.’ Claire Armitstead, The Guardian

‘Salt Publishing arrived onto the UK’s vibrant independent publishing scene at the end of the 20th Century, and have embodied a pioneering spirit and boldness in keeping with the new century, while retaining a timeless adherence to editorial strength of taste and purpose. Over 20 years they’ve developed their publishing, with a sizeable backlist and prize-contending front list. It’ll be exciting to follow their story as they move into their third decade.’ Stephen Page, CEO, Faber & Faber

‘Salt is essential seasoning in the world of British books. A fine, independent list, published with great spirit.’ Robert McCrum, Associate Editor, Observer

Salt is one of UK’s foremost independent publishers, committed to the discovery and publication of contemporary British literature. We are advocates for writers at all stages of their careers and ensure that diverse voices can be heard in an abundant, global marketplace. We believe books are key to developing an imaginative life, and that the imagination is key to being fully human. We intend to make a positive difference to readers’ lives. We also believe books cannot succeed without being discovered, so we invest heavily in finding audiences through direct engagement, through the quality of our editing, design and manufacturing, and through creative sales, communication and publicity. Good publishing is participative and inclusive, yet dependent on judgement and, of course, you, the reader. Our first publications were poetry and we rapidly developed an award-winning international list. We went on to win the Nielsen Innovation Award in the IPG’s Independent Publishing Awards in 2008 for our work in taking poetry to new audiences. Salt’s publishing soon expanded to include children’s poetry, Native American poetry, Latin American poetry in translation, poetry criticism, essays, literary companions, biography, theatre studies, writers’ guides and poetry chapbooks as well as a ground-breaking series of eBook novellas. By the end of 2010 we had published over 1,000 products and sold them internationally. In 2011, we began to focus our efforts on developing our fiction list. Since that time we have achieved considerable critical success in numerous literary awards, including winning the Polari First Book Prize (three times), the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Award (twice) and the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. Most notably, we have twice been nominated for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted in the Costa Book Awards. Today, Salt is considered one of UK’s leading independent publishers – a growing business that has an international impact.

Elizabeth and Ruth: Livi Michael on her new bookThursday, March 26, 20266:00 PM 7:00 PMThe Portico Library57 Mosley Str...
19/11/2025

Elizabeth and Ruth: Livi Michael on her new book

Thursday, March 26, 2026
6:00 PM 7:00 PM
The Portico Library
57 Mosley Street Manchester, England, M2 3HY United Kingdom (map)
Tickets £7.50 plus fee / low income pay what you can. Book here.

Haunting, timely and bold, this novel explores the limits of compassion and the cost of telling the truth — then and now.

Manchester 1849. Elizabeth Gaskell, newly famous author of Mary Barton, visits a young Irish pr******te in Manchester’s New Bailey prison. The girl is about to be discharged onto the Manchester streets, where her old life of poverty and violence await her. Elizabeth is determined to help her, but few people will employ an ex-pr******te from prison. In desperation, Elizabeth writes to Charles Dickens for advice.

Based on the real correspondence between Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens, Elizabeth and Ruth tells a story of hypocrisy and suppression, and how Elizabeth navigates the censorship and prejudice of the day to help the young girl and to write the novel about her that will ultimately be banned and burned after publication.

Haunting, timely & bold, this new novel on Elizabeth Gaskell explores the limits of compassion & the cost of telling the truth — then & now.

Thanks to Amanda Loose for featuring ‘Wonder’ featured in North Norfolk Living Magazine.
16/11/2025

Thanks to Amanda Loose for featuring ‘Wonder’ featured in North Norfolk Living Magazine.

13/11/2025

Some Cromer noir — the commute home from Salty Towers

Sasha Butler's THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT has been selected for Cosmopolitan's Book Awards 2025! 🥳🥂🍾
13/11/2025

Sasha Butler's THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT has been selected for Cosmopolitan's Book Awards 2025! 🥳🥂🍾

‘Skin Job’ – a new story by Catherine Eisner in House Magazine.
12/11/2025

‘Skin Job’ – a new story by Catherine Eisner in House Magazine.

by Catherine Eisner A Self-Narrative Assignment A high risk of re-offending,’ an incisive voice was heard to quote from my case file.The finality of these words was thought to prepare me for the inquisition to come. ‘She’s had two conditional discharges with an out-of-court dispensation follow...

A stupendous signing for Salt – Erica Wagner joins the Salt list.
11/11/2025

A stupendous signing for Salt – Erica Wagner joins the Salt list.

Salt Publishing has acquired Wash, a “richly imagined and intimate” “anti-biography” by the award-winning author and critic Erica Wagner.

Coming February 2026‘My Bags are Big’ by Tibor FischerThe first great Bitcoin novel – and Tibor Fischer’s funniest yet.D...
10/11/2025

Coming February 2026
‘My Bags are Big’ by Tibor Fischer

The first great Bitcoin novel – and Tibor Fischer’s funniest yet.
Darkly comic, razor-sharp, and brilliantly absurd.

Money, memory, and madness meet in My Bags Are Big, Tibor Fischer’s blistering satire of modern wealth, masculinity and reinvention – set amid the surreal skyline of Dubai.

Dan thinks he’s stumbled into history – the rise of Bitcoin, the thrill of easy money, the promise of escape. But beneath the gold-tinted glass, self-delusion rules supreme. With Fischer’s trademark wit and philosophical bite, this is a novel of criminality, crypto and comic despair – a darkly dazzling portrait of a man who can’t quite leave himself behind.

‘A triumph. Fischer more valuable than Bitcoin! Buy now!’ —Peter Benson
‘Sardonic and hilarious. This is the first great Bitcoin novel.’ —Andrew M. Bailey

📖 My Bags are Big
by Tibor Fischer
ISBN 9781784633851
Out February 2026 from Salt Books

Forthcoming February 2026‘Elizabeth and Ruth’ by Livi MichaelEvents ConfirmedBlackwell’s Manchester17th February Cross S...
10/11/2025

Forthcoming February 2026
‘Elizabeth and Ruth’ by Livi Michael

Events Confirmed
Blackwell’s Manchester
17th February

Cross Street Chapel, Manchester
3rd March

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester
15th March

The Portico Library
26th March

Coming January 2026‘The Fox of Kensal Green’ by Richard TyrrellSpanish rights sold, audio right sold.Launch: 15th Januar...
10/11/2025

Coming January 2026
‘The Fox of Kensal Green’ by Richard Tyrrell

Spanish rights sold, audio right sold.

Launch:
15th January. 6.30pm. – 8.30pm
Queens Park Books,
87 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6NH

Forthcoming 2026
07/11/2025

Forthcoming 2026

Salt buys Erica Wagner novelWash 'is a gripping character study, a historical novel that explores masculinity and sexual...
07/11/2025

Salt buys Erica Wagner novel

Wash 'is a gripping character study, a historical novel that explores masculinity and sexuality, ambition and damage in breathtaking, immersive prose' by exploring the life of Washington Roebling, the engineer behind New York's Brooklyn Bridge.

Wash 'is a gripping character study, a historical novel that explores masculinity and sexuality, ambition and damage in breathtaking, immersive prose' by exploring the life of Washington Roebling, the engineer behind New York's Brooklyn Bridge

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NR270AX

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Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm

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‘Salt is essential seasoning in the world of British books. A fine, independent list, published with great spirit.’ —Robert McCrum, Associate Editor, Observer Salt is one of UK’s foremost independent publishers, committed to the discovery and publication of contemporary British literature. We are advocates for writers at all stages of their careers and ensure that diverse voices can be heard in an abundant, global marketplace. We believe books are key to developing an imaginative life, and that the imagination is key to being fully human. We intend to make a positive difference to readers’ lives. We also believe books cannot succeed without being discovered and we invest heavily in finding audiences through direct engagement, through the quality of our editing, design and manufacturing, and through creative sales, communication and publicity. Good publishing is participative and inclusive, yet dependent on judgement and, of course, on you the reader. Salt was founded in Cambridge in 1999. Our first publications were poetry and we rapidly developed an award-winning international list. We went on to win the Nielsen Innovation Award in the IPG’s Independent Publishing Awards in 2008 for our work in taking poetry to new audiences. Salt’s publishing soon expanded to include children’s poetry, Native American poetry, Latin American poetry in translation, poetry criticism, essays, literary companions, biography, theatre studies, writers’ guides and poetry chapbooks as well as a ground-breaking series of eBook novellas. By the end of 2010 we had published over 1,000 products and sold them internationally. In 2011, we began to focus our efforts on developing our fiction and short story lists, gradually moving away from publishing in other genres. Since that time we have achieved considerable critical success in numerous literary awards, including winning the Polari First Book Prize (three times), the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Award (twice) and the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. Most notably, we have been nominated twice for the Man Booker Prize. Today, Salt is considered one of UK’s leading independent publishers – a growing business that has an international impact.