Publisher Profile: The Collective Book Studio
The CBC asks Angela Engel, Publisher & CEO of The Collective Book Studio, questions about the publisher.
What is your publishing house most known for?
We are known as a women-owned, independent publisher producing high-quality lifestyle, nonfiction, gift, and children’s books with national distribution through Simon & Schuster. Our partnership publishing model combines the strengths of traditional publishing, including professional editorial, design, production, and nationwide trade distribution, with the higher royalty potential and rights retention typically associated with self-publishing. Authors invest in their projects while benefiting from a full team of industry experts and the same professional standards found in traditionally published books.
We publish both award-winning adult and children’s titles, including the New York Times Bestseller, The Fly Who Flew to Space, which received the 2026 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Children’s Literature Award.
Where in the country is your house based? What do you love about being based there?
Our publishing house is based in Oakland, California. Not only is it amazing to be a West Coast publisher, but to be located in the Bay Area! There is such a lively and diverse community of book lovers, and with that comes amazing opportunities to collaborate with local bookstores, organizations, and festivals. We’ve recently partnered with The Children’s Book Project to donate one thousand new books to distribute to children in need in the Bay Area.
What conventions and conferences does your publishing house usually attend?
Every year, we attend Winter Institute, ALA, and CALIBA, and we typically go to at least one other regional show. In past years, we’ve also attended Heartland Fall Forum, PNBA, and MPIBA. Our books have also been displayed internationally at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, the London Book Fair, and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
What are some of your house’s publishing priorities over the next few years?
We recently launched Tiny Torch Books, our new children’s imprint devoted to crafting beautiful books that excite, engage, and inspire kids 0-8. Our new Children’s Editorial Director, Rebekah Lovato Piatte, is spearheading the acquisition and development of new titles, helping to expand our selection of children’s titles and bring this next chapter to life.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
We can’t wait for our Tiny Torch Books to reach young readers, including Ocean Superheroes, Little Bee and the Bloom, and a deluxe reissue of Elisa Kleven’s The Paper Princess, complete with beautiful new illustrations. We’re also excited to be publishing more Spanish editions of our beloved titles under our imprint. We’re partnering with Scholastic’s United States of Readers program to distribute our upcoming Spanish edition of Andy: A Dog’s Tale to under-resourced schools across the country.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
Our upcoming title, A Time To Hide, offers young readers a powerful opportunity to learn about the Holocaust from a first-hand perspective. The book’s combination of beautiful illustrations and primary sources makes the read personal and engaging. For STEAM-focused learning, the second book in our Fly Who Flew series, The Fly Who Flew Under the Sea, is a great resource for kids to learn about underwater habitats, creatures, and concepts, which comes paired with a reading guide that is excellent for parents and educators.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
- These ABCs Belong to Me – This joyful ABC picture book helps kids reclaim the words used to describe them—transforming labels into superpowers and building confidence one letter at a time.
- Bringing the Beach Home – A heartwarming picture book about the healing power of creativity and nature, following a young child who finds calm and connection during a day at the shore—and learns how to carry that feeling home.
- Waiting for Max – A heartfelt and imagination-filled picture book helps families navigate the NICU journey from a sibling’s perspective, offering comfort, connection, and a big dose of hope.
- Mazel Toes! – This board book celebrates Jewish joy, family love, and playful rhymes.
- The Heart That Found You – A tender, rhyming picture book about adoption, belonging, and the joy of becoming a family—perfect for anyone discovering home in unexpected places.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
In addition to Climate Action for Kids, we have another title in the series coming out this spring, Reptiles & Amphibians for Kids. This book is an excellent fit for schools and public libraries. It is a STEM-focused guide that introduces young readers to the fascinating world of herpetology, while encouraging outdoor exploration and scientific curiosity. Written by educator and researcher Jessica Hua, the book explains the differences between reptiles and amphibians, their anatomy, and how to safely observe them in nature.
Thank you, The Collective Book Studio!
Learn more about our member publishers by reading more Publisher Profiles.
