The end of an era approaches, as Eyewear Publishing founder and long-time Director of the press, Dr Swift, retires from his position on April 2, 2026, after 14 years at the helm. In 2019 he acquired Black Spring Press and merged its brand and backlist to create BSPG. BSPG has now been sold to a new majority shareholder, owner Mr B. Newmark. His wife, Mrs L. Newmark, will take over from Swift as the Director, April 2, 2026. For the next two months, Swift and Newmark will be co-directors, during a brief transition period.
Swift stated, "I am a bit sad to step down as director, as I had many more dreams for this press, but I am proud of the over 200 books we published in 14 years, and enjoyed working with such a talented team of writers, poets, artists, illustrators, editors, designers, typesetters, printers, and organisers over this period. I have high hopes the new owners, who are very intelligent and love books, will keep the press safe and allow it to continue and grow better, and maintain its ethos of openness to mavericks, eccentrics, and avant-garde geniuses, with or without agents, worldwide; few presses have maintained such an open door, to so many genres, for so long, and BSPG has a duty to remain a beacon for all that is brilliant and strange and compelling in this crazy mixed-up world. I set up the crime list, and admire it, but also love the poetry, fiction and non-fiction lists. Viva Black Spring!"