PJ Library Fund for Independent Publishers
To support the creation of high-quality Jewish children's books for readers ages 0–12, PJ Library is launching a new funding opportunity for independent publishers: the Next Level Books Fund.
PJ Library recognizes the financial investment and risk that small publishers take on when acquiring new titles. This initiative is designed to help independent presses develop, publish, and distribute compelling Jewish stories for young readers and families.
Publishers are invited to apply for funding to support specific projects. Applications may be submitted either pre-acquisition or during early post-acquisition development. Funded titles are expected to be considered for inclusion in PJ Library or PJ Our Way distribution upon publication.
The initiative offers up to $40,000 per book to support the creation of impactful Jewish children's literature.
Eligibility Rules & Guidelines
- Applicants must be an independent publishing house (for-profit or nonprofit) that is not owned or controlled by a large corporate publishing group. Self-published projects and vanity presses are not eligible. Further eligibility at PJ Library's discretion.
- This funding opportunity is ideal for both established and early-stage Jewish publishers, as well as publishers expanding into Jewish children's content.
- Publishers must have a portfolio of high-quality work, an established publishing operation, and a clear plan for production.
- Publishers must uphold inclusive and culturally sensitive storytelling standards, with attention to accurate Jewish representation.
Use of Funds
Funds are intended to directly support the development and production of high-quality Jewish children's books. Publishers who receive and accept funds for a specific project will need to continue to share that project with PJ Library at key stages to ensure it continues to be a good fit for the PJ Library/PJ Our Way line-ups.
This funding is intended for books that (1) add in a meaningful way to the breadth of Jewish children's literature, but may otherwise not make it onto the publisher's list due to financial risk, or (2) have the potential to be unique in some specific aspect, for which the publisher has a vision that requires a larger budget.
Ultimately, PJ Library aims to support books that will be treasured by families for their well-crafted story, exceptional art, and high-quality packaging.
We are particularly excited to support publishers with the following needs:
- Securing a higher caliber illustrator than a small publisher could typically afford
- Enhancing the artistic quality, visual storytelling, and overall design of the book – including adding special elements (for example, lift-the-flaps, pop-ups, and other interactive elements)
- Developing Jewish-themed graphic novels for middle grade readers, including scriptwriting, storyboarding, and sequential art, and covering other production costs that often make graphic novels cost-prohibitive for small publishers
- Translating Jewish children's books (including middle grade fiction and non-fiction) from their original language into English, and supporting rights acquisition, editing, and adaptation for an English-speaking audience, as well as general production costs for a translated work
Funds cannot be applied to printing and distribution, or publicity/marketing.
Timeline
Publishers can submit projects pre- or post-acquisition (for pre-acquisition projects, the publisher first needs to get the author's permission to submit). Within the open submission period, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to allow publishers to make acquisition decisions quickly. Once an application is submitted, publishers will typically hear back with a decision in 6 weeks, though it could take up to 8 weeks in certain cases.
This year will have two submission periods:
- Spring/Summer: April 1 – August 31
- Fall/Winter: September 1 – December 31
Publishers may submit no more than one application during each open period.
Application Process
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Prepare Your Materials
You will need to submit the following documentation:
- Publisher background and mission
- Project description and target age group
- How the book fits into the PJ Library framework
- Tentative timeline and budget
- Specific request for funding between $10,000 and $40,000, with a tentative breakdown showing how the funds will be used
- Samples and/or drafts of project
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Submit the Application
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Review & Selection
- PJ Library's editorial team and Book Selection Committees will evaluate proposals on a rolling basis.
- Considerations include storytelling quality, kid appeal, Jewish content, and project feasibility. Reviewers will ultimately consider how the book will enrich the PJ Library or PJ Our Way line-ups.
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Follow-Up (If Needed)
- Applicants may be contacted for interviews, clarifications, or additional materials.
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Funding Notification
- Selected publishers will typically be notified within 6-8 weeks, along with next steps regarding funding disbursement and any reporting requirements.
FAQ
What is the PJ Library Fund for Independent Publishers?
This funding program supports independent publishers who are interested in creating high-quality Jewish children's literature. The goal is to elevate new voices, strengthen small publishers, and expand access to meaningful Jewish stories for families.
Who is eligible to apply?
Independent publishers of any size—nonprofit or for-profit—may apply as long as they are not owned or controlled by a large corporate publishing group. Must publish books in English.
What kinds of book projects does PJ Library fund?
PJ Library supports projects focused on Jewish children's content, including board books, picture books, board books, early chapter books, middle grade books, and graphic novels for kids up to age 12. Any of these categories can be fiction or nonfiction, so long as they have kid appeal!
Projects must align with PJ Library's values, age guidelines, and commitment to accurate, inclusive Jewish representation. Additionally, projects must be in English.
Can my independent publisher apply even if we haven't published a Jewish book before?
Yes. Prior experience publishing Jewish books is not required; however, the proposed project must focus on Jewish children's literature and meet PJ Library's content and representation standards.
Does the project need to be complete before applying?
No. Publishers can submit project pre- or post-acquisition. If submitting pre acquisition, the publisher must have the creator's permission to share with PJ Library. Publishers may apply with concepts, works in development, or works nearing completion. Drafts, sketches, or sample chapters are helpful.
Can agents apply for funding?
No, however, agents should encourage publishers to apply for the funding.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding support is available to support illustration, editorial, and production costs for a given book. This funding is not for printing/distribution or marketing/publicity.
How much funding is available?
PJ Library will award funding based on project needs and available program resources. Individual project awards will range from $10,000 to $40,000.
Is this funding connected to book selection for PJ Library?
Yes. Our goal is that every funded book will appear in the PJ Library or PJ Our Way line-ups, which is why we build in specific funding checkpoints. However, funding does not guarantee slating and it is possible that a project will not be slated, or may be slated further into the future.
What is the application deadline?
The two submission periods in 2026 are listed below. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis within each open period. You can only submit once per period.
- April 1 to August 31
- September 1 – December 31
How do I apply?
Publishers can submit their application, including all required materials, through the PJ Library Next Level Books Submittable link.
What happens after I apply?
A review committee evaluates proposals based on storytelling quality, kid appeal, mission alignment, and project feasibility. Some applicants may be contacted for additional information.
When will award decisions be announced?
We understand that publishers frequently need to make decisions quickly about a manuscript. Applicants will typically be notified within 6 weeks of submission, though in some cases it could take up to 8 weeks.
What happens after my application is accepted, and when are funds distributed?
Publishers whose projects are selected for funding will receive the first half of the funds upon acceptance. By accepting the funds, the publisher agrees to share progress updates at key project stages; these will typically be final manuscript, sketches, and final art. The second half of the funds will be split into a further two payments—the first distributed after sketches are shared, and the final payment distributed after final art/design is shared.
What do the progress updates/funding check points look like?
By accepting the funds, the publisher agrees to share progress updates at key project stages; these will typically be final manuscript, sketches, and final art. At each stage, PJ Library will have the opportunity to offer feedback to ensure the project continues to work for the PJ line-up. It's possible the PJ Library team will have feedback that includes "deal-breakers" for our line-up (these could be related to content appropriateness or quality control); in this case, we will be happy to discuss ideas and alternatives. PJL's commitment to fund a manuscript is proof that we find the project exciting. In the very unlikely event that a "deal-breaker" cannot be resolved to satisfy all parties, the publisher forfeits the remainder of the undistributed funds and PJ Library will not ultimately move forward with slating and purchasing the book.
If I have received funding for a book, may I submit another application for a different book?
A publisher may submit only one application per open submission period, regardless of whether that application is accepted.
Are awardees announced publicly?
Publishers who receive funds will be announced publicly only with the publisher's permission.
How many awards will be given during each cycle?
There is currently no set number. All applications within an award cycle will be considered, regardless of awards already given in that cycle. This means that despite reviewing applications on a rolling basis, publishers shouldn't feel pressure to submit right at the start of each award cycle.
Who can I contact with questions?
For inquiries, please email nextlevelbooksfund@pjlibrary.org