When I saw the images that I had been emailed for this feature of the beautiful chapbooks and pamphlets that Amy and Jake produce through Bad Betty Press I had an immediate feeling of desire for them. A well produced pamphlet is always a thing of beauty and it looks as though various award judges agree with that.
MICHAEL MARKS PUBLISHERS’ AWARD, Shortlisted, 2018
SABOTEUR AWARDS: Most Innovative Publisher, Shortlisted, 2018
SABOTEUR AWARDS: Best Pamphlet, Solomon’s World – Jake Wild Hall, Longlisted, 2018
LONDON’S BIG READ: The Dizziness of Freedom, Shortlisted, 2019
I now have another pile of goodies added to my ongoing wish list for birthday and other occasions.
Website: badbettypress.com
Facebook: @badbettypress
Instagram: @badbettypress
Twitter: @badbettypress
In their own words…
When did you start publishing?
We published our first book of poems in July 2017.
What made you want to start publishing?
We’re both poets who perform but also love the page. We have a big network of artist friends and peers writing excellent work, and loved the idea of creating a platform to help their work reach more readers. We felt that there was space in the world of poetry publishing for some more exciting, fresh and diverse voices.
What do you specialise in?
Poetry. We mostly put out pamphlets / chapbooks (short collections of around 10-20 poems), but also publish full-length collections, anthologies, and a series of mini-pamphlets called Bad Betty Shots.
Where are you based?
Tottenham, north London.
Do you have a submission window, if so when?
October – January for pamphlet / collection manuscripts, Feb – April for anthology poems.
Who are you (team photo if possible)?
Amy Acre and Jake Wild Hall. Writers and parents, we set up Bad Betty the year our daughter was born.
Background in the book industry?
Amy came from the world of copywriting, so had a background in editing, art direction and creative production. We’ve both written and performed poetry for over 10 years, working with indie publishers and picking up what we could about the process along the way, as well as running and promoting events.
Talk about some of your books if possible?
Our mental health anthology, The Dizziness of Freedom (2018), was shortlisted for a couple of awards, and is our bestseller to date.
While I Yet Live by Gboyega Odubanjo is our bestselling pamphlet.
She Too Is a Sailor by Antonia Jade King and Raft by Anne Gill are two of our most recent books, respectively exploring womanhood and trauma with delicacy and wit.
The Death of a Clown by Tom Bland and TIGER by Rebecca Tamás were both featured on the ‘Poetry School Books of 2018’ longlist.
