Mascot Blog

Our August featured title is a special children’s book that teaches kids about the pregnancy journey. , , , and , and , among others, because they help expand my reach tremendously and better position me as an influencer. What is the best part of being a mom? It’s surreal to me that my son once lived in my belly, that I had anything to do with the little masterpiece of a man he’s becoming. Of course, if I take a look at my belly I am quickly reminded that he did, in fact, take up residence there—I am not one of those celebrity snapback … read more

Warning: Your summer reading list is about to grow. Just keep calm, check out our latest releases, and carry on. Featured Title: When You Lived in My BellyBy Jodi MeltzerAs a mom, Jodi Meltzer Darter answers, on average, one million questions per minute. One day, her son interrupted his endless “Why?” barrage to inquire about their innate bond: What was it like when I lived in your belly?A delightful month-by-month storytelling of pregnancy from the perspective of both baby and mom, When You Lived in My Belly gives children a glimpse into a past they can’t remember, and takes moms back … read more

From author Randy L. Schmidt:The Carpenters were the top-selling American musical act of the 1970s, crafting love songs that defined a generation. With a trademark sound masterminded by Richard and powered by Karen’s distinctive velvety alto, songs like “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Superstar,” and “Top of the World” elevated the sibling duo to worldwide popularity and eventual record sales of more than 100 million.Today, some fifty years after their emergence, interest in Carpenters music lives on, as evidenced by the numerous documentaries, tribute acts, and music reissues, including a new album featuring their classic recordings accompanied … read more

By Naren Aryal, CEO and Publisher of Mascot Books and Amplify PublishingCustomers love Amazon. The company started as an online marketplace for books, but it soon expanded into just about every product category, from A to Z, offering low prices and an incredibly efficient shopping and home delivery experience.At Mascot Books, we love the access to potential readers Amazon offers our authors. However, that access comes at a steep cost. Amazon buys books from publishers at a whopping 55% off cover price. Amazon also requires that suppliers like Mascot pay freight to get inventory to Amazon distribution centers. Books are … read more

By Acquisitions Editor Jess Cohn

Everyone has had a favorite book that when they cracked open the spine, smoothed out the first page, and starting reading, they just couldn’t stop. The first chapter sucked them in and carried them all the way to the last snap of closing the book. And I bet they wondered “How?” How did the first chapter make them keep reading? There’s no formula for writing a compelling first chapter, but there are tricks you can use to captivate your readers and get them to crave more. … read more

There are many names and faces here at Mascot Books and we are always growing. Today we wanted to share a closer look into all the various roles on our team and give more insight on the tasks and responsibilities of each one. Each position is unique and important to the process of helping authors share their books with the world. Acquisitions Editor“I’m an acquisitions editor, which means that I bring in books to publish. I review manuscript submissions and conversations with authors about our publishing process. My day is made up of emails, phone calls, and chats with the different … read more

The month of June is Pride Month, and to celebrate we’re rounding up all of our favorite LGBTQ- themed titles! Check out the full list below!-By Doug ReynoldsAn Actual Family tells the story of Agatha, an otter adopted by two penguin dads who starts to question whether or not she fits in. After being teased for being different than her parents, Agatha sets off with her best friend to find her “actual family.” On her journey, Agatha meets animals of every type, in families of every sort, and begins to re-think her idea of what a family must be. Perhaps … read more

Every month we feature a title we think really shines. This month’s featured title is and 

Check out these other titles releasing in June:    … read more

Summer is finally here, and there’s no better time to pick up a great book! It’s time to celebrate our newest releases, and there’s something for everybody this June from a touching YA romance to a personal finance guide to a children’s book about a regional cuisine. Check out the full list below! June’s Featured Title By Kristen BurnhamMerilee Hart has been doing her best to keep things together since her mother left, her art a welcome escape from her depressing new reality. But things seem to go even more awry the moment her next door neighbor’s enigmatic and mysterious nephew … read more

Every month we feature a title we think really shines. This month’s featured title is by Brenda Farrington, available now!Why We Love Itis a tale like no other. From its unique illustration style courtesy of Penny Weber to the confidence that the bikini-clad reptilian protagonist exudes, we can’t help but love this adorably quirky book.Author Brenda Farrington shared the inspiration and creative process behind her beloved Swamp Diva. Check out her thoughts below!Creating Swamp DivaFrom author Brenda FarringtonThe character of Swamp Diva and her story was created twelve years ago. The wonderful illustrator, Penny Weber, portrayed her perfectly. I … read more