Mascot Blog

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

Sending a book to a publisher to review can be a nerve-wracking process. They’re reading your work and deciding on whether or not they can publish it. Cue the nail biting! To make submitting your book a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of things that our acquisitions team looks for in a manuscript submission.Children’s BooksFor children’s titles, we’re looking for projects that will make a positive impact in a kid’s life. These titles have great messages and touch upon topics that are not always seen in the children’s book world, like the loss of a parent or immigration. We … read more

Virtual readings, Netflix-binging, and bread-baking—due to COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions, many of us are turning to new hobbies to pass the time in quarantine. For authors, this is also a time to work on your manuscript or market your book and connect with your readers.Last week, we took to Instagram to ask our followers what questions they had about the Mascot Books publishing process; how they are connecting with their readers in light of COVID-19; and of course, what they are currently reading!Whether you’re looking to start your publishing journey at Mascot Books, gearing up for your book’s release, … read more

Our May book releases are here! Your stay-at-home reading list just got a little bit longer.Featured Title: The Conscious Marketer: Inspiring a Deeper and More Conscious Brand ExperienceBy Jim JosephThe parameters of what constitutes successful marketing are shifting. In today’s increasingly competitive, global marketplace it is essential for companies and brands to not only understand what consumers are buying, but why they are making those purchases. That is where The Conscious Marketer comes in.It’s one thing to be conscious, but it’s something else entirely to do something impactful with that consciousness. In this expansive guide, Jim Joseph breaks down the … read more

Our April featured title is Making It Delicious by Chef Jamie Daskalis, a cookbook with an emphasis on Southern food, but with a twist! From fun spins on the classics to indulging your sweet tooth, Chef Jamie’s recipes star simple and fresh ingredients that encourage creativity in the kitchen. We promise you’ll find a new favorite dish within these pages! Chef Jamie Daskalis is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with a degree in baking and pastry. She has worked in the restaurant business for more than fifteen years, and was recently awarded Chef of the Year by Grand … read more

As many of us stay at home this month, it’s time to pick up a great book to read either on your own or with the kiddos! Check out all of our April releases below. Our website and warehouse remain fully operational and ready to ship! April Featured Title: Making It Delicious By Chef Jamie DaskalisMaking It Delicious is a collection of ninety-eight realistic recipes for the everyday home cook. From breakfast, to appetizers, to mains, to sauces, this book is packed with simple, flavorful dishes that are sure to be crowd favorites in your home. The best part? No … read more

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, parents and students everywhere are looking for ways to be entertained, to learn, and to persevere through these difficult times. Due to school closings and event cancellations, many authors are bringing their stories to readers’ homes through live, virtual readings or Q&A sessions. Alysson Foti Borque, author of the Alycat series, recently launched a weekly series: There are many options out there (Instagram Live, YouTubeLive, Google Hangouts, GoToMeeting, etc.) for live readings and Q&A sessions. What platform(s) did you choose for your virtual Q&A sessions, and why? We chose Be.Live because … read more