JP Brand Books was founded in 2020 during the quiet uncertainty of the pandemic. What began as a simple project to help my father republish a book he’d written in 1970 quickly grew into something much more: a family legacy reborn.

Our first release, Big Boy: The Story of a Dog, marked the return of a long-forgotten manuscript—and the start of a mission. Soon, we were reintroducing the works of Eunice Pennington, my grandmother, who wrote eight books and countless articles about Ozark folklore, local history, and life in rural Missouri. I didn’t always get along with her, but through her writing, I discovered how alike we truly are. History, storytelling, and a deep connection to place run in our blood.

Today, JP Brand Books is proud to preserve and publish multigenerational stories—both old and new. From historical reissues and personal memoirs to illustrated children’s books and original anthologies, we celebrate writing that speaks from and to the Ozarks and beyond.

We’re currently wrapping up the Pennington Book Project, a five-year journey to republish and honor Eunice Pennington’s work, with two final titles: a new annotated edition of History of Carter County and a special illustrated release of Black Boy: The Story of a Pup, created in collaboration with Ozark artist Emily Sanders.

JP Brand Books is growing—and we’re just getting started.

Follow along for future releases, submission opportunities, and stories that matter.