Bad Books is an independent publishing house, founded by award-winning illustrators and authors Ashwin Chacko, Clive McFarland & marketing guru Charl Pretorius in Northern Ireland. We are a new home for bold, beautiful, and unconventional picture books – a place where authors and illustrators can explore new ideas, rediscover the joy of making, and craft the exceptionally unexpected.
We ask big questions: What does it mean to be a diverse author today? How can we broaden the landscape of Irish children’s literature? Which stories will spark the imaginations of the next generation of curious readers?
We celebrate the misfit and the mischievous, the heartfelt and the hard-to-categorize—reminding everyone that stories, like children themselves, have endless potential.
Ireland has a rich storytelling heritage, shaping legends like Oscar Wilde and C.S. Lewis. Today, however, commercial demands often limit the diversity of children’s literature. We aim to liberate our authors from these constraints and
bring fresh perspectives to readers across the UK, Ireland, and beyond.
At Bad Books, we will publish four to six exceptional picture books each year by some the most exciting authors and illustrators in Ireland and further afield. We will invest in these artists, ensuring they share equitably in the rewards of their essential
work.
Join our tribe of misfits and be in the know about new products, resources, workshops and other special offers before anyone else on the internet.
We are happy to accept illustrated picture-book stories and/or artwork samples via email – these can be sent to badbookpress@gmail.com
While we will look carefully at all submissions, we are sorry that we cannot guarantee a reply.