Counterpoint Press
Counterpoint Press was an American independent publishing company and literary imprint formed in 2007 through the consolidation of three publishing operations.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Counterpoint Press was an American publishing company created in 2007 under the ownership of Perseus Books Group. It brought together Perseus's existing Counterpoint Press with Shoemaker & Hoard and Soft Skull Press, creating a consolidated publishing operation with overlapping interests in literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, politics, culture, and progressive or unconventional writing. Books appeared under both the Counterpoint Press and Soft Skull Press names. The company was closely associated with editor and publisher Jack Shoemaker, whose long relationships with writers helped shape its literary identity. Shoemaker had worked with authors including Wendell Berry and Gary Snyder for decades, and both writers were investors in the new company as well as authors published by its imprint. This combination of editorial continuity, author relationships, and independent-press heritage positioned Counterpoint as a home for distinguished literary and cultural work rather than as a mass-market publishing house. Counterpoint's list included internationally recognized authors. Among its notable projects were English-language editions of works by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, including A Girl in Exile, The Traitor's Niche, and The Doll: A Portrait of My Mother. The company also maintained a relationship with the Sierra Club, under which it participated in the production, marketing, and distribution of approximately eight Sierra Club books annually. That arrangement extended Counterpoint's activity beyond conventional literary publishing into environmental and advocacy-oriented nonfiction. The company's formation coincided with broader consolidation and restructuring in independent publishing. In 2007, Perseus announced layoffs while the new Counterpoint organization was being assembled, and the company absorbed or reorganized several established editorial programs. Soft Skull Press, founded in 1992 by Sander Hicks and later led by Richard Nash, became part of the Counterpoint operation after Nash sold it to Counterpoint in 2007. Counterpoint subsequently closed Soft Skull's New York operation in 2010, although the Soft Skull name and publishing program continued to have a later life. Counterpoint entered into a partnership with OR Books for a fall publishing list in 2016. Later that year, Counterpoint merged with fellow publisher Catapult. The merger ended Counterpoint as a separate publishing company, although aspects of its catalog, editorial traditions, and associated imprints continued within successor publishing structures. Soft Skull was subsequently relaunched in New York, first under editor-in-chief Yuka Igarashi, and began issuing new books and reprints from its backlist. Counterpoint is therefore best understood as a defunct independent publishing company whose legacy survives through books, authors, imprints, and successor organizations.
History
Counterpoint Press developed from a group of independent publishing programs with strong literary and cultural orientations. In 2007, Perseus Books Group launched Counterpoint LLC by consolidating Perseus's Counterpoint Press with Shoemaker & Hoard and Soft Skull Press. The structure allowed the combined operation to publish under both the Counterpoint and Soft Skull names while sharing corporate resources and distribution. Jack Shoemaker was a central editorial figure in the company. Before and during the Counterpoint period, he had maintained long working relationships with writers such as Wendell Berry and Gary Snyder. Both authors invested in Counterpoint and published work through the imprint, reinforcing the company's reputation as an author-centered independent press. The list also included internationally prominent writers, notably Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare, whose books A Girl in Exile, The Traitor's Niche, and The Doll: A Portrait of My Mother were issued by Counterpoint. Soft Skull Press formed another important part of the company's history. Sander Hicks founded Soft Skull in 1992, and Richard Nash later acquired and operated it. Nash sold the press to Counterpoint in 2007. Counterpoint closed Soft Skull's New York operation in 2010, but the imprint's catalog and identity were not permanently extinguished. Soft Skull later reopened its New York office and resumed publishing and reissuing books, including works by Jillian Weise, Maggie Nelson, and Wayne Koestenbaum. Counterpoint also broadened its publishing activity through a relationship with the Sierra Club. The arrangement covered the production, marketing, and distribution of approximately eight Sierra Club titles each year, connecting Counterpoint's literary and nonfiction capabilities with environmental publishing. In 2016, Counterpoint partnered with OR Books on a fall list, demonstrating continued activity shortly before its corporate transition. Later in 2016, Counterpoint merged with Catapult. The merger brought the standalone Counterpoint company to an end, although its publishing legacy continued through backlist titles, authors, editorial practices, and related imprints. Soft Skull's subsequent revival further preserved one of the best-known names associated with the Counterpoint group.
- 2017
Soft Skull resumes New York operations
[1]Soft Skull later reopens its New York office under editor Yuka Igarashi and begins issuing new and backlist titles.
- 2016
Counterpoint partners with OR Books
[5]The two publishers collaborate on a fall publishing list.
- 2016
Counterpoint merges with Catapult
[1]Counterpoint combines with Catapult and ceases to operate as an independent company.
- 2010
Soft Skull's New York operation closes
[1]Counterpoint closes Soft Skull Press's New York office while retaining the imprint within its broader publishing operation.
- 2007
Counterpoint LLC is formed
[1]Perseus Books Group creates Counterpoint through the consolidation of Counterpoint Press, Shoemaker & Hoard, and Soft Skull Press.
- 2007
Soft Skull joins Counterpoint
[3]Richard Nash sells Soft Skull Press to Counterpoint.
- 2007
Sierra Club publishing agreement
[4]Counterpoint agrees to produce, market, and distribute approximately eight Sierra Club books annually.
- 1992
Soft Skull Press is founded
[1]Sander Hicks establishes Soft Skull Press, which later becomes part of the Counterpoint publishing structure.
Products and positioning
An independent-minded literary publisher emphasizing serious fiction, poetry, cultural writing, progressive nonfiction, environmental subjects, and international literature.
Literary publishing · 2007
Counterpoint Press literary list
The core Counterpoint list combined literary fiction, poetry, essays, cultural criticism, and serious nonfiction. Its author-centered program was shaped by long editorial relationships and favored writers with distinctive artistic, political, or intellectual perspectives.
Independent publishing imprint · 1992
Soft Skull Press
Soft Skull was an independent imprint with roots in alternative and politically engaged publishing. After its acquisition by Counterpoint in 2007, it operated within the combined company and later returned as a distinct publishing operation with new books and reissues from its backlist.
Environmental nonfiction · 2007
Sierra Club books
Through an agreement with the Sierra Club, Counterpoint handled the production, marketing, and distribution of approximately eight Sierra Club titles per year. The program extended the company's reach into environmental and conservation publishing.
Translated literature
Ismail Kadare editions
Counterpoint published English-language editions of works by Albanian author Ismail Kadare, including A Girl in Exile, The Traitor's Niche, and The Doll: A Portrait of My Mother. These titles exemplified the press's interest in internationally significant literary fiction.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Sierra Club publishing partnership
United States
Counterpoint entered an agreement with the Sierra Club covering the production, marketing, and distribution of approximately eight books per year.
Outcome. The agreement expanded Counterpoint's role in environmental and advocacy-oriented publishing; the later duration of the arrangement is not specified in the available sources.
Brand decisions
2016
Merger with CatapultM&ABackground
Counterpoint combined with fellow independent publisher Catapult after years of operating within the Perseus publishing group.
Action taken
Counterpoint merged into Catapult.
Aftermath
Counterpoint ceased to exist as a separate publishing company, while elements of its catalog and publishing heritage continued through successor organizations.
2010
Closure of Soft Skull's New York officeStrategyBackground
Counterpoint reorganized the Soft Skull operation after acquiring the imprint.
Action taken
The company's New York office for Soft Skull Press was closed.
Aftermath
Soft Skull later returned to New York and resumed publishing under new editorial leadership.
2007
Consolidation of three publishing operationsM&ABackground
Perseus Books Group sought to combine its Counterpoint Press with Shoemaker & Hoard and Soft Skull Press.
Action taken
The businesses were brought together under Counterpoint LLC, with books continuing under Counterpoint Press and Soft Skull Press imprints.
Aftermath
The consolidation created a larger independent-oriented publishing operation, although the wider restructuring included layoffs.
2007
Acquisition of Soft Skull PressM&ABackground
Soft Skull Press had been founded by Sander Hicks and was later owned by Richard Nash.
Action taken
Nash sold Soft Skull Press to Counterpoint.
Aftermath
Soft Skull's New York operation was closed in 2010, while the imprint and catalog later continued under successor arrangements.
Recent events
- 2016
Counterpoint and OR Books announce fall-list partnership[5]
M&A · Other
Counterpoint partnered with OR Books on a fall publishing list shortly before Counterpoint's merger with Catapult.
- 2016
Counterpoint merges with Catapult[1]
M&A
Counterpoint combined with fellow publisher Catapult, ending its existence as a separate publishing company.
- 2007
Perseus announces layoffs during Counterpoint formation[2]
Leadership change · Other
Perseus Books Group announced layoffs as it reorganized publishing operations around the newly consolidated Counterpoint company.
- 2007
Counterpoint acquires Soft Skull Press[3]
M&A
Soft Skull Press was sold to Counterpoint as part of the consolidation of independent publishing operations under the Perseus group.
Sources6 sources
- 1Counterpoint (publisher)en.wikipedia.org
- 2Publisher Perseus Announces Layoffspublishersweekly.com
- 3Winton Buys Soft Skull Presspublishersweekly.com
- 4Counterpoint, Sierra Club Team Uppublishersweekly.com
- 5Counterpoint, OR Books Partner on New Fall Listpublishersweekly.com
- 6Counterpoint Press official websitecounterpointpress.com
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