New Essex House (NEH) is not just a tribute to the daring legacy of Essex House—it’s the culmination of a lifelong love affair with books. From an early age, I was immersed in the world of print, surrounded by the sounds and smells of my family’s printing factory. The joke was that I had “ink in my blood.” In my pre-teens, I was doing page layout with a battered t-square and drafting triangle, not yet realizing that this would one day inform my passion for publishing.

What began as a fascination with the vibrant cover art of paperbacks soon evolved into a deep connection with the subversive literature of Olympia Press writers like William S. Burroughs and Vladimir Nabokov. Prose, for me, became more than just a way to pass the time—it became a weapon aimed squarely at my brain.

As a lifelong science fiction fan, my discovery of Essex House was a revelation. Founded in 1968, Essex House was a pioneer in blending speculative fiction with hardcore sexuality, challenging both societal norms and literary conventions. Their catalog was bold, subversive, and intellectually provocative. Writers like David Meltzer, Jean Marie Stine, and Michael Perkins led this movement, creating works that merged eroticism with deep philosophical and social critique. Essex House’s radical fusion of speculative fiction and hardcore sex was unlike anything else I had read, and I became obsessed with tracking down their long out-of-print books. They never disappointed.

Though I had always dreamed of becoming a publisher, for various reasons, I didn’t pursue it seriously, only designing the occasional book cover. However, when a dear friend gave me the opportunity to dive into publishing, I couldn’t resist. I created NEH with lofty goals—to become the kind of publisher I’ve always admired. NEH is dedicated to publishing challenging works by talented authors who balance on the tightrope of the transgressive, always pushing boundaries and exploring the dark, uncharted corners of the human experience.

Today, NEH is committed to continuing this tradition of groundbreaking and provocative literature. We are actively seeking submissions from both published and unpublished authors who share our passion for fearless, boundary-pushing work. If you believe your writing fits our mission, we encourage you to submit your work and join us in this journey of exploring the unknown.

HGriggs
Publisher, NEH