Our History
Chris Hamilton-Emery
Director, Salt
Salt is one of the UK’s most original independent publishers
Since 1999, we’ve championed bold, genre-defying writing across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and short stories — launching the careers of over a thousand writers worldwide. Innovative, curious, and fiercely independent, we publish books that shape the conversation and stand the test of time.
Jen and I founded Salt in our Cambridge kitchen at the end of the nineties, and over the course of the following decade we published over four hundred poetry collections, working with writers around the world. Prizes followed. The addition of further teams in Australia and the USA added to the development of the list, and ambitions rose to change the feisty indie into a broader trade publisher. New distribution deals led to ever greater outreach. International sales expanded. A rights team was created.
A short story list began to emerge in 2006, and since its launch we have now published over one hundred collections. Salt expanded into general fiction and 2012 saw our first Booker Prize nomination with Alison Moore’s The Lighthouse. Salt had successfully pivoted into literary fiction and its reputation and sales grew.
It was a period of great expansion and considerable challenge. Over one hundred novels have now been published and Salt has won, or been nominated for, more than twenty literary prizes around the world.
In 2024, Salt turned twenty-five, and Kirsty – a senior journalist – joined the team to develop our marketing and publicity. A new international sales team has been appointed, and the company is diversifying into crime, historical and genre fiction, and non-fiction.
As we start our second quarter century, we plan for a new period of change and development, and we look forward to bringing you even more unforgettable books. Thanks for visiting Salt. Happy reading!
What they say about Salt
Over the years, Salt has earned the admiration of poets, critics, writers and industry leaders. Their words speak to our mission: to publish bold, beautiful books that surprise, delight and endure. Here’s what they’ve said about the spirit and significance of Salt.
‘All human life needs Salt.’ —Simon Armitage, poet laureate
‘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. Watching its list grow and develop has been an unpredictable pleasure.’ —Claire Armitstead
‘Salt is essential seasoning in the world of British books. A fine, independent list, published with great spirit.’ —Robert McCrum
‘Salt is the best publisher of its kind: adventurous, challenging, and original.’ —Sir Andrew Motion
‘Salt 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.’ —Stephen Page
‘We don’t have enough small independent and daring publishers like Salt.’ —Gryff Rhys Jones
‘In a dull and conformist publishing landscape, Salt’s list stands out for its rich flavours, colours and accents. In poetry, novels or the short fiction that the imprint champions so well, Salt titles surprise, intrigue and delight. These are books by writers who find their own voice. They deserve readers who go their own way.’ —Boyd Tonkin
Registered Office Address
Salt Publishing Limited
12 Norwich Road
CROMER
NR27 0AX
United Kingdom
Company No. 05293401
VAT Registration No. GB834881989
EORI No. GB834881989000
ISNI No. 0000 0000 9837 6153
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