Akashic Books

Akashic Books is a Brooklyn-based independent publisher, formed in 1997. It was started by Johnny Temple, bassist of Girls Against Boys and mid-'80s Dischord band Soulside, with the mission "to make literature more part of popular culture, not just a part of elitist culture." Akashic Books' collection began with Arthur Nersesian's The Fuck Up in 1997, and has since expanded to include Dennis Cooper's Little House on the Bowery series, Chris Abani's Black Goat poetry series, and the internationally successful Noir series, originating with Brooklyn Noir, since expanding to international titles such as Delhi Noir and Havana Noir. Akashic Books authors include T Cooper, Ron Kovic, Derek McCormack, Melvin Van Peebles, Ryan Adams, Lydia Lunch, Matthew Stokoe, Richard Hell, Nina Revoyr, Les Claypool, Pete Hamill, Carlos Pintado, Lawrence Block, Travis Jeppesen, James Greer, Joe Meno, Elizabeth Nunez, Adam Mansbach, and Greg Prato. In June 2011, Akashic published the widely successful Go the Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach.