In Collaboration with

"Engrossing, beguiling, and with an undertow of menace, Before the Ruins is a masterly debut from a richly talented author." – Sarah Waters

This issue of Visual Verse is published in collaboration with Serpent's Tail to celebrate the publication of Before the Ruins, the debut novel of British writer, Victoria Gosling.

Serpent's Tail, an imprint of Profile Books, has a 35-year history of publishing brave and innovative writing, with authors like Michel Houellebecq, Nella Larsen, Lola Shoneyin and Colm Tóibín. But it is their championing of progressive, often transgressive, voices that we most admire. Their list is full of gems like Kathy Acker, Virginie Despentes, Chris Kraus and Torrey Peters (author of Detransition, Baby, which is an absolute must-read for 2021).

We are thrilled to showcase the work of two new Serpent's Tail authors. Victoria Gosling is joined by Alice Ash, whose "irresistibly strange" debut short story collection Paradise Block was just released in February.

Find these writers and many more on the Serpent's Tail website...