Counterpoint (publisher)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Predecessor | Counterpoint Press, Shoemaker & Hoard, Soft Skull Press |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Perseus Books Group |
| Headquarters | Berkeley, California , United States |
| Products | Books |
| Parent | Catapult (since 2016) |
Counterpoint LLC was established in 2007 by Perseus Books Group through the merger of Counterpoint Press, Shoemaker & Hoard, and Soft Skull Press. Operating under the Counterpoint and Soft Skull imprints, the company handled the production, marketing, and distribution of approximately eight titles annually for the Sierra Club.
Among its prominent investors were Wendell Berry and poet Gary Snyder, both of whom had works published by Counterpoint. Jack Shoemaker, serving as vice-president and editorial director, maintained long-term professional connections with these authors. The company also released books by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, including A Girl in Exile, The Traitor’s Niche, and The Doll: A Portrait of My Mother.
In 2016, Counterpoint integrated into Catapult, broadening its market reach and streamlining its operations within the independent publishing arena.
Soft Skull Press
Soft Skull Press, an independent publisher founded by Sander Hicks in 1992, focuses on alternative culture and LGBTQ-themed literature. Yuka Igarashi held the position of editor-in-chief from 2017 until 2022 before transitioning to Graywolf Press.
The imprint was acquired by Counterpoint from Richard Nash in 2007; its New York office was subsequently closed in 2010. Following the 2016 merger with Catapult, Soft Skull reestablished its New York presence under Igarashi’s direction, emphasizing the re-release of backlist titles such as Jillian Weise's The Amputee's Guide to Sex, Maggie Nelson's Something Bright, Then Holes, and Wayne Koestenbaum’s novel renamed Circus. Since then, the imprint has grown its offerings through new acquisitions, reinforcing its standing in the independent publishing sector.