Please Help My Mum Publish Her First Book

My mum has been writing children’s picture books since before I was born, and would really love to see her books in print.

There are very few publishers in NZ who will take unsolicited manuscripts, but sadly one publishes books for a younger audience than her book, and the others are not receiving scripts at the moment, owing to Covid. We cannot afford to self publish, so that is not an option.

During our first Lockdown she sent two of her books which she had written about my old school (Kaipara Flats School) to Austin McCauley, a reputable publisher in London. Austin McCauley loved both her books and wanted to publish the first one right away. But, because Mum is an unknown author, they wanted her to share the set up and illustrating cost for the first book (which is common practise) and then they would be happy to cover the cost of the second and subsequent books after that. Austin McCauley has offices in Australia, New York, UAE as well as London, and also sells online books, so it would be a good company to be involved with.

Because my Dad has not had a lot of work since we went into first Lockdown, we cannot cover the required cost. I would really love for my mum to publish her books, so I am asking if any people would be willing to donate a small amount towards this cost, to make up the £2300 (NZ$4411) needed to get her first book into print. It would mean a lot to her and me if you could help us.

Thank you.