I’ve spent many years trying to publish my first novel, Yeshiva Girl, through the traditional publishing route: sending it out to agents, and then watching as my agent collected rejections for me, and then sent it out again, and again. I had hoped that the #MeToo movement would be a sign that the world was ready for Izzy, but the rejections kept rolling in. Izzy has a story to tell that I think a lot of people can relate to, in one way or another. And, fundamentally, I didn’t want her to be alone on a shelf anymore, I want her to be out in the world, so I decided to self-publish on Amazon.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish girl on Long Island named Izzy (short for Isabel). Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes that it’s true. Izzy’s father decides to send her to an Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, as if she’s the one who needs to be fixed. Izzy, in pain, smart, funny, and looking for people she can trust, finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment.
I want to thank my brilliant and talented Mom, Naomi Mankowitz, for the beautiful cover design and page layout for the book, and for every day of love and support throughout my life. And, of course, I need to thank every dog who has passed through my life and taught me about unconditional love and healing. And thank you to all of you, for your support and encouragement for me through the blog, and for inspiring me to take the leap into self-publishing!
We’re sort of ready for the leap.
Please check out my Amazon page and consider ordering the Kindle or Paperback version (or both!) of Yeshiva Girl And if anyone feels called to write a review of the book on Amazon, I’d be honored.
rachelmankowitz 
Good luck with the book Rachel!
Thank you!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
A beautiful cover! Congratulations and much success!
Thank you!
I admire your drive to live out your dream! Wishing you much success with your book.
Thank you!
Congratulations, Rachel! I’m glad you let your baby fly.
Thank you!
You’re most welcome!
I’ve ordered my copy and I’m looking forward to reading it!
Thank you so much!
Rachel! Or should I call you Published Author….I’m so glad you took the leap. My warmest wishes to you. Take care, suzanne🌷
Thank you!
Congratulations! A beautiful cover and a story that needed to be told. ❤
Thank you so much!
Wonderful news and good luck!
Thank you!
very happy for you. all good wishes 🙂
Thank you!
Brava! Congratulations, Rachel. So happy for you!
Thank you so much!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Well done! Congratulations 🙂
Thank you!
Congratulations!. The cover looks great.
Thank you so much!
Would you like to participate in my author interview series?
Sure! How does it work?
Where can I send the questions. They are in a word file.
cricketpages@earthlink.net
just emailed you the questions.
YAY! You DID it! I am so proud of you. Going on over now to buy it. I enjoy your posts so much…have always thought you are a talented writer….can’t wait to read it!
Thank you so much!
Curious about this. I hope I could find a copy. Congrats Rachel 🙂
Thank you!
Wonderful!
Thank you!!!!!
Way to go! So pleased to learn you have published your novel. Congrats! Hope it does well.
Thank you!
Congratulations.
Thank you!
Congratulations on publishing your book! I look forward to reading it!
Thank you so much!
Done! Congratulations, I am so happy that you have taken the leap. I am looking forward to reading it. I plan to recommend it to my friend’s Jewish book club.
Ha! Thank you so much!
So excited for you!! Congratulations 🎉
Thank you!!!!
Pingback: The Book is Ready | Ann Writes Inspiration
Yay, Rachel!!!! Gonna have my son order this on his Amazon account for me….cause I am probably the only person in the world who has never ordered from Amazon. I am so happy and proud for you!
Thank you so much!!!
That was some leap! It leaped from Amazon right into my library. Congratulations: look forward to reading it.
Thank you so much!!!!!
Congratulations! I ordered it and will review it when I’m done reading it. Happy for you.
Thank you so much!
Wow! You did it. I’m thrilled for you.
Thank you!!!!!
Way to go, my friend – I love the cover, title and look forward to reading!
Thank you so much!
Congrats!! You must be so proud!
Thank you!
Congratulations and best wishes for lots of great reviews and sales!
Thank you! You are one of big inspirations!
I’m sure that a lot of people will enjoy your book. Amazon is a great publishing platform and you can sell a lot of copies. Just as you will. Good luck with the next one as well.
Thank you so much!
You are more than welcome. You deserve some success.
Congratulations! I am so happy you decided to make the leap. I hope Izzy’s success dazzles you.
Thank you so much!
Wonderful! I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you!
Good luck with your book! I plan to read it. Dragonfly Books would have loved to publish you!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for announcing your debut. I ordered my copy – and look forward to reading it. Hugs, JanBeek. ❤️🤗
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Thank you so much!
wishing your book happy
success 🙂
Thank you!
Congratulations on taking the plunge. Great accomplishment.
Thank you!
I got a copy!! You can be proud – the book is on the number 1 bestseller list for new publications – and in the top 100 in Girls and Women! You rock!! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Very well done Rachel. I wish you well with it
Thank you!
Congratulations
Thank you!
welcome
Congratulations on getting your book out there. 🙂
Thank you!
Congratulations, Rachel.
Thank you!
Congratulations and best wishes.
Thank you!
This is amazing! Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations Rachel! I just ordered my copy and will recommend it among my friends! Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Congratulations on publishing your book and good luck!
Thank you!
Gud luck with d book. Will check it out
Thank you!
Congrats on your book and especially your perseverance to publish through whatever means. I wish yiu great and on going success!
Thank you!
Congratulations for sending your book out into the world!
Thank you!
Congrats and all the very best!
Thank you!