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 
Book purchased in England, looking forward to reading it!
Thank you so much!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations! Just purchased the book. Can’t wait to read it. How exciting!
Thank you so much!
Well done.
Thank you!
I’m so proud of you! You are so talented and it is wonderful you followed your passion to write this book. I currently have my book at the publisher and it will be a 5 year full time journey by the release date. Congrats! Jules
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you!!!!
Got the book on Kindle. Look forward to reading it
Thank you so much!
Congratulations!!! Indie publishing can be a fun adventure. Blessings on your work!
Thank you!
Congratulations Rachel, the cover looks beautiful! 🤗💖
Thank you!
I just ordered it and will post a review on Amazon when I have read it. I post as pikesupermom (long story–don’t ask!)
Ha! Thank you so much!
I look forward to reading your book. The Kindle is warmed up and ready to go! Mazel tov!
Thank you so much!
Congrats! I just purchased it I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you so much!
Congratulations! This is a real accomplishment, and I wish the best for you.
Thank you!
Wonderful! I think you are a very articulate writer. I wish you the best of luck. I am sure you will do very well.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing that with us. Two of my friends have recently autopublished on Amazon and it seems the right choice. Good luck. I am going to check it out right now.
Thank you so much!
I forgot to add. Also, thanks very much for your interest in my poems!
Of course!
Downloaded the Kindle version, started reading, and I’m hooked!
Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Rachel and good luck !
Thank you!!
I’m late to this, as I have been away. I wish you every success with the book, Rachel, and I am so pleased that you finally got it published.
Best wishes, Pete.
Just bought the Kindle version from Amazon UK. No idea when I will get to read it, but I couldn’t miss out! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Thank you!!!!
Congratulations! I’ve loved your writing on this blog, and I’ll definitely be picking up your book.
Thank you so much!!
I downloaded it yesterday and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. 🙂
Yay!!!! I’m so excited!
Congratulations! Hope it sells well and that you get the recognition you’ve earned.
Thank you so much!
Woot! Woot! You go, girl! Just bought it and downloaded it. Looking forward to reading it ❤ Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
You are most welcome ❤ If we fellow dog lovers don't encourage and cheer for each other and our dogs … well, never mind because OF COURSE we encourage and cheer for each other and our dogs. It's what we do! ❤ #crazydogladies #dogdiaries #50000picsofmydogonmyphone #mydogismychild
Ha!!!
Congratulations, Rachel!
Thank you!!
Congratulations Rachel. I bought the paperback. Perhaps someday I can get it autographed by it’s (by then) well known author.
I would love that! Thank you!
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Thank you so much!
I wish you much success with the book! ❤
Thank you!
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Congrats, Rachel!! So happy for you, can’t wait to check it out!
Thank you!!!!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Wishing you all the best. ~ Dave
I’ll have to give it a read!!
Thank you!
Your amazing – wishing you much success with your labor of love!
Thank you so much!
Sorry – “you’re” amazing! spellcheck -grr….
Congratulations!! That’s so exciting!
Thank you!!
first book always have that special place in our heart ! congratulations on your success. 2 years back i too had released my first book. – https://www.amazon.in/Abstract-English-Author-Shruti-Shetty/dp/B07D7WQ4F1/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Yet did not get a chance to release another. Hoping for the same soon 🙂
Good luck!
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you and proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to take this leap and I’m really happy for you!
Thank you!!!!
I am hugely thrilled for you. Well done. Can’t wait to read it. Mx
Thank you so much!
I bought the book! Can’t wait to read it-
Thank you so much!
Yay! It sounds so good and I’ll search Amazon for it. You make me feel inspired and I’m grateful to you for that. Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome. I just started blogging again after so long and I remember you from when I first started. It’s a comfort to see you now again, well, you know what I mean. I really am sorry about your pup and what you have been going through. I don’t want this to seem like a guilt trip but there are so many pups in shelters and rescues that need someone like you. If you could just bring yourself to visit or look online I really believe fate will bring you to the right dog and I truly believe your pup that passed would want you to be happy. No one will take his or her place, but they can help you and your nervous pup in ways that are hard to imagine now. Please keep me posted on things. I have PTSD from a scary event in 2014 when my dog was stolen. It is a story that sounds like something you’d see on a tv show. I felt like I couldn’t get another dog, like it would be a betrayal. Then a woman asked me to foster, maybe adopt a dog that was like mine that was stolen, both Jack Russells. It was hard at first for me but Duke, the dog I took in, he’s the best thing to come from that horrific day. And he has a better life than where he had come from. I know Mr. Bojangles, my stolen dog, he’d be proud and happy I helped Duke. And my other dog Roxy, it truly helped her so much too. She was miserable and sad like I was and when Duke came to us it changed us both. I want that for you and your pup. I’m going to hunt down your book and read it to Duke, Roxy, and Mayor Cutie. They love being read to. Take care and I look forward to seeing more of your posts. xx
About a year after Butterfly died we actually got a call from Cricket’s groomer about a five year old breeding mama being “retired” by a local breeder. We met her the next day and took her home. Her name is Ellie and she is a love bug!
That’s so good! I’m so, so happy for you both!!!
My sincere congratulations, Rachel! Wishing you the absolute best!
Thank you!!!!!
You’re very welcome, Rachel!
Good luck with the book. I read the sample on Kindle and bought the book. Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you so much!
Congrats!
I just bought a Kindle copy, and will let you know.
Good luck.
Thank you so much!
Awesome!! Mazel tov
Thank you!
Good one… congratulations
Thank you!
👏🏾 I’m so happy for you, Rachel! Since I feel as though I know you from following you for so long, I got you and will absolutely buy the book. My novel has been in revision for two years. Maybe I’ll get there too…someday.
Thank you and good luck with those revisions!
Congratulations, Rachel. This is a big deal. Just downloaded it 🙂
Thank you so much!
Congratulations, Rachel! Just got it on Kindle and started reading it.
Thank you so much!
My pleasure.
Congratulations on your huge accomplishment!
Thank you!!!
I have just finished your book – absolutely marvellous! I can’t for the life of me imagine why it wasn’t picked up by a traditional publisher.
Thank you so much!!!!!
It deserves to do well.
Thank you! Fingers crossed!
Congrats! 🙂
Thank you!
You go, Girl! Congratulations.
Thank you!
Congratulations! That’s awesome!!
Thank you!