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Akashic Books

アカシック ブックス

Akashic Books

Profile

Gender
Unknown
Born
1997-01-01 （Brooklyn, New York City, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Brooklyn (New York City)

Career

Occupations
Independent publisher, Book publishing
Active Years
1997-

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Fuck Up (Arthur Nersesian)

1997 Novel (indie/urban fiction)

One of the first titles published by Akashic Books; an urban novel capturing chaotic Brooklyn life and serving as an early touchstone for the press.

urban lifeyouth failureunderclass
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages

Go the Fuck to Sleep (Adam Mansbach)

2011 Picture book / Humor

A satirical picture book about putting children to sleep. A leaked PDF circulated virally before publication, propelling the book to bestseller status before its official release.

parenting frustrationshumorintersection of popular culture and literature
Adaptations
  • [Audiobook] Go the Fuck to Sleep (audiobook) / Samuel L. Jackson（ナレーターを務めた著名人多数） (2011)
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages

Brooklyn Noir (noir anthology series)

Anthology / Noir

One of Akashic Books' signature series. Noir anthologies themed around cities expanded internationally and raised the press' profile.

urban underbellycrimelocal stories
Translations
  • International editions exist (Delhi Noir, Havana Noir, etc.)

Bibliography

  • The Fuck Up - Arthur Nersesian
  • Go the Fuck to Sleep - Adam Mansbach
  • Black Goat (Chris Abani poetry series)
  • Brooklyn Noir (anthology)

Adaptations

  • Go the Fuck to Sleep - audiobook (multiple celebrity narrators)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
curation oriented toward popular cultureindie ethoseditorial focus on noir anthologies
Recurring Motifs
urban underbellyvoices from the marginscoexistence of violence and humor

Legacy

Since its founding in 1997, Akashic Books has become known as an influential indie press, expanding the intersection of popular culture and literature through city-themed noir series and publishing bold authors. Despite its small size, it has achieved international reach.

Archives

  • Offices and related materials housed at The (OA) Can Factory (Brooklyn)

In Popular Culture

  • Viral spread of leaked PDFs of 'Go the Fuck to Sleep', bringing mainstream attention
  • International expansion of city-based 'Noir' anthology series originating with Brooklyn Noir

Quotes

  • "to make literature more part of popular culture, not just a part of elitist culture."
    Source: Akashic Books founding mission statement (1997)

Trivia

  • Founded in 1997 in Brooklyn by Johnny Temple.
  • Known for its 'Brooklyn Noir' and related city-based noir anthology series.
  • 'Go the Fuck to Sleep' (2011) went viral after leaked PDFs circulated prior to official release.