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 
Congratulations! I look forward to reading your book. It sounds very interesting. I will recommend it to my book club too.
Thank you so much!!!!!!
Mazel tov! Many blessings too. Am delighted for you!
Thank you!!!
Congratulations.. I hope your book does well and you go on to write many more
Thank you!
Hey, girl, glad to see your book is ready. When I get my tablet fixed I’ll give it a read and a review. It might take a while as the Geek Squad has to fix my Ipad. Take care and NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER
Thank you so much!
its indeed difficult to get your book published being a beginner
Sounds like a great story! Would love to check it out & support you. Thanks for stopping by my blog, too, and supporting me. Take care & have a great day!
Thank you so much
Congratulations on your book and I hope the sales are brisk and plentiful.
Thank you!
Well done Rachel. Not only have you achieved your goal but you have given pleasure to everyone who is lucky enough to read your book.
I finished it today and I can honestly say that it was both educational and incredibly moving.
Thank you for sharing your story x
Thank you so much!
Congratulations!
A woman in my writers group recommended your website as a good example of an author’s site with a personal approach. After reading this introduction to Yeshiva Girl I look forward to reading the book. Sounds like Izzy was very lucky to have a courageous creator.
Thank you so much! Wow!
Congratulations on your magnificent achievement, Rachel! A published author! Pip and the boys
Thank you so much!
Good for you and I wish you the best of luck with your book. Well done!
Thank you!
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Rachel, I have just reviewed your book on my blog. It has been shared on Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn too.
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/2019/01/04/book-review-yeshiva-girl/
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much!
Hi Rachel,
Just to let you know that your book review has had over 70 views already, and at least two followers have bought a copy so far. Some have even become followers of your blog as well. There are some nice comments too, so if you feel that you would like to reply to any of them, please do so.
Looking forward to the next book! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s amazing! Thank you!!!!!
Congratulations.
Thank you!
Just finished Yeshiva Girl. Excellent. The publishers who turned the book down were fools.
Thank you so much!!!!