I received the following email from someone who is looking for advice on publishing and/or self-publishing and finding an illustrator for a children’s book. I don’t consider myself an expert, but I figured I’d post whatever I have learned that might be helpful, in case it can help any one else out there!
QUESTION: I have a few questions, if you have time to answer. Any info or advice would be really helpful. 1. Can you choose the dimensions and paper stock of the book? 2. How do you submit the work once the text and illustrations are finished? 3. How do you get an ISBN and copyright? 4. How does distribution work? Can u choose where you distribute? 5. How many copies will be distributed? 6. How does profit work? 7. Where do you start? Do you know of good self publishing companies? Are there Jewish ones that I can submit to? Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: this post is really only about publishing children’s books with Jewish publishers. If you are looking to publish a book for the general public, then this post will probably not be helpful, as the process is often more complex.
Submitting Your Book to Jewish Publishers
For people like me who want to focus on their art (writing, illustrating) and not on the nitty-gritty business end of things, or who don’t have the funds to invest, you should submit your book to a publisher who will cover the costs of editing, printing, marketing, and distributing your book, as opposed to self-publishing. You may be paid an advance and/or earn royalties when the book starts selling.
It’s a good idea to do your homework first by reading the submission guidelines of various publishers, looking around their website, or browsing in your local book store to see what type of books are being published by which publishers.
Here is a list of the Jewish Publishers I know of, who publish books for children. If anyone want to add to the list, please leave a comment, and I will update it! If you click on any of these links, you will be taken to their Submissions Guidelines.
- Adir Press
- Artscroll*
- Brand Name Publishing*
- Feldheim*
- Hachai*
- Israel Bookshop Publications*
- Jewish Lights Publishing
- Judaica Press*
- Kar-Ben Publishing
- Kehot Publication Society
- Menucha Publishers (a branch of Targum Press)*
- Mosaica Press
- Pitspopany Press
- Renana Publishers
- ShortVort Publications*
- Skylight Path Publishing
- Torah Temima Publications*
- Urim Publications
- Gefen Publishing
The ones with a star after them cater to the Orthodox community. The others have a broader Jewish readership (correct me if I’m wrong!). Some of these publishers accept very few children’s books manuscripts annually. Like I mentioned before, you should figure out which publishers would be the best fit for your book, rather than sending it out randomly.
Most publishers do not appreciate simultaneous submissions. This means send each manuscript to only one publisher at a time, and wait until you get a response before sending it to someone else. This can take a few weeks to a few months. If you don’t get any response after a couple weeks you can follow up just to make sure they received your submission.
Finding an Illustrator for your Children’s Book
Most publishers do not require that you submit illustrations with your book. Many do not even want you to, preferring to chose their own illustrator. Then there are some publishers that do require the author to hire their own illustrator. In this case you can include sample illustrations or a link to the artist’s portfolio. The author then has to pay the illustrator out of pocket, find a sponsor, or make some kind of deal with the artist, such as paying an advance (this means some money upfront- artists have bills to pay too!) and splitting royalties.
However, I have learned that even the publishers who do not request illustrations are open to receiving samples and suggestions. If there is an illustrator you admire or really want to have illustrate your book (ahem!) you should let the publisher know, and they may well agree to it.
Self-Publishing: I don’t have much information on self-publishing, other than the fact that is involves a big investment on the part of the author. The author finances the entire publishing process and works with the distributor. There is always an element of risk since you can’t be sure how well the book will sell. But if it does sell well, you make all the profit as opposed to just earning a small royalty.
Some publishers also offer joint-publishing, where the author and publisher share the costs involved.
Book size, Paper stock, ISBN, Copyrights, Distribution…. If you find a publisher to take on the costs of your book, they will deal with all this stuff. You can discuss everything with them (from my experience they’re all really lovely people and aim to please!) but they’ll probably have the final say. If you are self-publishing then, again, I’m not sure how it would work.
E-books: Not the topic of this post, but a whole new way of publishing that requires a minimum (if any) investment and can be accomplished in a fraction of the time it takes to publish a “real” book. And of course you don’t have to wait for an editor to accept your book!
Anyone out there who wants to share their experiences and advice would be very welcome. Thank you!
Nice…thanks for this.
You may add Renana Publishers to your list.
http://www.renanapublishers.com
We do cater for the frum market but not exclusively.
Thank you for the info! This looks like a good option for those who are willing to invest some money in publishing their books. I appreciate your input!
Well most Jewish publishers require you to invest money into publishing their books. The question is how much you invest and what royalty you get. We pay 30% on RRP :-)
These days ANY children’s book will require the author to invest money — either part or all of the costs.
Thanks for your comment, Akiva. Luckily, there are still lots of publishers who take on the full costs of publishing children’s books… as long as they feel it’s a good investment! This I know first-hand. However, if an author shops around and no one wants to take their book, there are paid options, and I know people who have taken that road too.
Mosaica Press would be the perfect addition to your list. You can see our Author Guidelines as well as information about how we work by visiting http://mosaicapress.com/faq-2/
Thank you Shui! I think the reason I didn’t add Mosaica Press is because you don’t publish books for children– is that true?
How do literary agents play into this equation? Are there literary agents in Jewish book publishing?
Hi Dena, I’m new to the world of publishing. I did realize i would have to pay to get published. I believed that if i give a publishing money my content then they pay for everything and split up (in their favor) the profits. Do you have any advice where i can find out the bottom line on a publisher before i submit?
Adir Press should also be in your list! Website: http://www.adirpress.com
Hi, Dena–Thanks for this Info Board.
Three quick topics (okay, two quick and one not-so-quick) for your comments, please:
1. I’ve heard that unless you’re doing self- or assisted-publishing, there should never be any monetary output by the author.
2. Many publishers no longer send rejection letters. If not sending out simultaneous submissions, when can you send out your next one?
3. I have sent my story twice to one of the non-frum publishers on your list–once by mail about four years ago and again last year by e-mail. In both cases I got quick rejections along with the type of story they are looking for–which is exactly what I sent–with no grammatical or Jewish tradition errors. I’ve read the story to both Jews and Gentiles alike, and everyone has enjoyed it. How can I know what the problem is if there’s no real communication?
Bsd please add Gefen publishing house
We have an imprint called Apples & Honey with Behrman house and also accept submissions direct.
Gefenpublishing.com
Done, thank you!
Thanks for writing this up. I am finishing up a book I think would be good to publish. Is there a sense of what the turn around times are for decisions, so I can pace out submissions? Or a guideline of how long I should wait before I turn to the next publisher?
Gefen is no longer doing children’s books. Apples & Honey is being run solely by Behrman House, so you can just include Apples & Honey if you’re keeping this list up to date. Here’s the link:
http://www.behrmanhouse.com/apples-honey-press
Like all reputable publishers, they do not ask you as the author to pay for your own book’s publishing process. I really think you should make this distinction.
Dena,
Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful post.
I also appreciate the mention by you and the commenters regarding how some publishing houses & deals require the author to pay expenses. The payment may be priced fairly, but $10,000 is nonetheless an unrealistic risk for many of us (though it has admittedly & fortunately worked well for many frum authors).
It’s also important to point out how your personable, intelligent, & encouraging approach adds an extremely appealing dimension to your writing.
And your art is incredible—what wonderful talent and skill!
Wishing you lots of bracha v’hatzlacha.
Thanks for your comment Dassie! I agree that a $10,000 investment is not realistic for many people. And thank you for your lovely feedback on my work!! Wishing you lots of bracha v’hatzlacha as well!