Cirrus@Austlit

A perceived lack of poetry publishers and contracting poetry lists in the late 1990s was part of the reason for the birth of Black Pepper. Founded by K. F. Pearson and Gail Hannah, Black Pepper commenced publishing poetry with its second title, the Anne Elder award-winning Michelangelo's Prisoners by Jennifer Harrison (1995). Since then, Black Pepper has published over two dozen poetry titles, as well as novels and works of short fiction. The press actively seeks out new talents, and several of its titles have been first collections. Black Pepper aims to give no preference to one school of poetry over another, and is interested in experimental work as well as more traditional poetry.