Mascot Blog

Check out our new August releases just in time for the dog days of summer! Enjoy one of these titles while soaking up the last of the summer sunshine.August’s Featured Title: Helping ThemBy Yashavi UpasaniAs his life seemed to grow more boring, Mr. DeRenzo gets thrown into a plot that gives him more excitement than he ever dreamed of. Dominic Frost, the cousin of Charles Markson, has been pronounced missing and Charles, as well as his friends Antonio, Samantha, and Emily, are worried sick about the poor boy. Hearing about the kids’ plans of taking action to find Dominic, Mr. … read more

Our July featured title is by Mary Jo Hazard! Since the novel’s release on July 7, it has been regarded highly. Stillwater debuted as a number one new best seller on Amazon in the category of Young Adult books about suicide and it has received glowing reviews. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “this tightly written coming of age story reminded me of To Kill A Mockingbird… On some levels, it’s an easy read and appropriate for the beach, but it will definitely make you think about your own life and how you’ve had to balance love with letting go.”A coming-of-age … read more

A new month means new releases! Check out our July releases below and maybe find your new favorite book.July’s Featured Title: StillwaterBy Mary Jo HazardUNDER THE SURFACE, DANGER LURKS…Twelve-year-old Grace believes that all adults are trustworthy and good. So begins a coming-of-age story full of laughter and tears that takes place one hot summer in upstate New York in the 1950s.On the surface, Stillwater seems an idyllic place, but danger lurks underneath. Grace and her best friends, Maggie and Louanne, grapple with divorce, domestic violence, and mental illness. Grace is devastated when she finds out her father committed suicide when … read more

“My advice to you is to find your World Marathon Challenge. Find whatever it is that you are passionate about. Dream big, take chances, and always believe in yourself. Because, when you do, anything is possible.”Our June featured title is Becca’s Feat on Feet by marathon runner Becca Pizzi! We talked with Becca about being the first woman to compete in the World Marathon Challenge, her inspiration behind the book, and her philanthropic endeavors. 1.) You were the first woman to complete the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons on seven different continents in seven days. What inspired you … read more

Whether you have a specific release date goal in mind or are just ready to get your book out into the world, you, as an author, want to ensure that your book moves through the production process smoothly. While some delays are out of your control, there are some steps you can take to work with your production editor and have your book sent off to the printer and onto bookstore shelves as quickly and efficiently as possible.1. Deliver detailed edits to your production editor all at once.Throughout the production process, you work closely with your designated production editor … read more

At Mascot Books, we believe that authors from all walks of life deserve a platform to tell their stories and make their voices heard. We champion diversity, welcome new perspectives, and encourage our authors to bring new ideas to the table.We stand in solidarity with our Black #mascotauthors, and want to take this opportunity to showcase some of the incredible voices and works they’ve shared with the world.By Courtney DunlapAbout the Book: For the courageous Rumble Hunters, the things that go bump in the night don’t stand a chance! When James, their fearless leader, hears a curious rumble in the … read more

In our “The Dos and Don’ts of Retail Pitching” blog, we broke down the best practices for pitching your book to bookstores for events or in-store placement. In light of COVID-19 and limitations on signing events, many authors are turning to alternative forms of marketing and promotion—social media & brand building, virtual readings, and editorial coverage. Deciding on which media outlets to contact and pitch to for editorial coverage can be a daunting process to a first-time author. We have outlined some key steps to building the perfect media outreach list for your book!1. Understand the three tiers … read more

Dive into summer with our June book releases! From fun children’s titles to nonfiction, our new releases have something for every summer reading list.June Featured Title: Becca’s Feat on FeetBy Becca PizziBecca has been running since she was only six years of age. She completed her first run with her father at her side—and she’s never looked back! After many years of competitive running, including more than ten years of participation in the Boston Marathon, she’s determined to up the ante and run in one of the most challenging races on the entire planet: the World Marathon Challenge. Running in this … read more

In our holiday publishing timeline blog, we provided some ways in which authors can make the production process run smoother⁠—developing a writing timeline, deciding on the book dedication page and description, and most importantly to a children’s book author, figuring out illustration inspiration early. But what does this illustration process entail? How can you and your production editor work together to bring your vision to life? We’ve broken down our Mascot illustrations process and what you need to know as an author to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible. 1. Illustration descriptionsOnce your manuscript has been 90-95% finalized, … read more

“Brands can no longer market to consumers but instead have to market with them. In order for a brand to do that, it must be conscious of the world in which we all live together.”

Our May featured title is by Jim Joseph! We asked Jim about his writing process, how social media is changing the brand experience, and his best tips for brand managers.

1. As the Global President of marketing communications agency BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), and the recipient of Entrepreneur of the Year, Agency of the Year, and Consumer Launch Campaign … read more