Publisher Profile: The Innovation Press
The CBC asks Asia Citro, Publisher of The Innovation Press, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
I am an author myself, and my debut book was with an imprint of a Big 5 publishing house. Throughout the process of creating that first book, there was always so much on everyone’s plate, as well as a lot of staff turnover; I found it all a bit discouraging. I wanted to write more, but I wanted the process to be different for my future books. So I basically created the publishing house I wished for! We focus on very few titles each year and we take things slow and give each title as much time as it needs. At the same time, despite our small size, we have active foreign rights sales, both national and international distribution, and we have even sold the TV/Film rights to two of our series.
What is your publishing house most known for?
We are probably best known for the Zoey and Sassafras chapter book series, written by me and illustrated by Marion Lindsay, the Amazing Scientists Picture Book series (which includes The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: the Story of Dr. Temple Grandin and The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague) written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Rieley, and most recently, the picture book Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Luisa Uribe.
How many books does your house aim to publish per season/year?
Between 2-4 titles is our ideal, though one year we had enough wonderful submissions that we published 11 titles!
Which genres does your house prefer to publish?
We publish both non-fiction and fiction for kids – including books that blend both.
Which formats does your house prefer to publish?
Though we have published board books, activity books, picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade books, our focus is mainly on picture books.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
We are all very excited about Xavier’s Voice, a new picture book coming out this fall by Ashley Franklin and illustrated by Tatiana Gardel.
Thank you, The Innovation Press!
