Publisher Profile: Crimson Dragon Publishing
2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Crimson Dragon!
The CBC asks Dawn D. Clark, Editor and Owner, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
While my friends were happily reading Judy Blume and Thomas Rockwell, I was voraciously reading full-length novels by the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Dean Koontz. Maybe not the best choices for an impressionable pre-teen, but I found them to be so much more interesting than books written for my age.
My children followed this passion for reading, and as they also started moving toward full-length novels in 3rd grade, I realized there really weren’t a lot of choices for young, advanced readers.
In looking for more options, I began beta-reading and editing science fiction and fantasy manuscripts, and discovered I had a talent for finding continuity and plausibility errors. As my children started leaving the nest, I had time to pursue my passion for writing, but found self-publishing a daunting task, especially for children’s and YA books.
So, I started reaching out to others in a similar circumstance. With a few illustrators and authors by my side, we were focused on E-Publishing, but found there are many strong authors/illustrators that are unable to find a voice in mainstream children’s and young adult publishing. We decided to take the plunge, and Crimson Dragon Publishing took flight.
What is your publishing house most known for?
We are known for our books that encourage readers by sparking their imagination, thereby increasing their desire to read more.
Where in the country is your house based? What do you love about being based there?
We are now based in Willow, Alaska. We love it here because the people are all friendly and we’re surrounded by wildlife. There’s nothing more inspiring than calm woods, chirping birds, and clean air. Seeing the aurora borealis overhead is a bonus.
Which genres does your house prefer to publish?
We prefer to publish stories with science fiction, fantasy, mystery, or thriller backgrounds. We also carry quite a few emotional developmental books that appeal to us.
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
One of our first books, The Snit and George Franklin Whit, really deserved way more attention than it received. In a very humorous way, the illustrations and story show what happens when children throw a temper tantrum and teach one approach to work out the frustration. We even have a poster to go with the book.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
After a 10-year break, one of our favorite author/illustrators is returning with his new book, The Little Blue Ewe. It’s a wonderful book that teaches kids about loss and belonging. It is set to release later this summer and is already getting good reviews. We’ll also have a cute stuffie of Bijou, the blue ewe, to go with the book as well.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
Katy in Central Park is the second book in the Kitty in the City series and, as a chapter book, is perfect for more advanced readers in 1st and 2nd grade. The simple story, along with humorous illustrations, keeps the reader glued to the action while they learn about what happens when you jump to conclusions. With exciting surprises and silly moments, this story will have kids giggling while they discover how to think things through.
The Mystery of the Lost Confederate Treasure is a superb whodunit for 3rd-5th graders. The second of the PI Squad Mysteries includes action, adventure, wildlife conservation, puzzle-solving, and even danger while tracking down the location of a hidden treasure.
A prequel to the PI Squad Mysteries, Weaver: The First Year, is also good for 3rd-5th graders and releases in June. This heartwarming tale of mischief and unconditional love will have kids fall in love with Weaver and want to read more of the adventures in the future.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a classroom? Which grade?
Yellow Ribbons is an important book to help children deal with military deployed parents. In today’s world, there’s always some issue pulling soldiers or contractors away from home, and this true telling focused on 2nd-4th graders, could easily be read by any grade.
Witches are Wandering shows acceptance of people’s differences and is a great read for 3rd-5th graders. While Halloween-based, it can be read at any time of the year for the fun illustrations, creative storytelling, and an added bonus hidden pictures activity on every page.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
Dive into the extraordinary tale of Iora and the Quest of Five, the first of the Iora’s Adventure series, and become part of the adventure that will captivate your imagination and inspire your spirit! Don’t miss your chance to be swept away into a realm where courage and friendship must triumph over darkness or all is lost!
Winnie and the Mystery of the Missing Moonstones is an adventure where courage, friendship, and the spirit of exploration collide. Perfect for young adventurers and dreamers alike, this tale will ignite imaginations and inspire readers to embrace the magic around them!
In The Ghost in the Garden, a girl finds herself in danger from something haunting her new bedroom. With the help of a neighbor, she must somehow solve the mystery before she really gets hurt. A tale of friendship, support, and deep motherly love from award-winning author Alisse Lee Goldenberg.
What else would you like to tell us about your house and the amazing work you do?
Crimson Dragon is primarily a one disabled woman run show, but we contract with wonderful illustrators and writers to get the work done. Each book we put out is carefully edited and if the author is not an illustrator, they are matched with an upcoming illustrator for cover design and/or interior illustrations. We have many other titles for children and adults that we’d love to share with you.
Thank you, Crimson Dragon!
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