About Big Sapling Publishing

Planting the Seed

Big Sapling Publishing is an independent press founded by author and illustrator Justin J. Pawlak in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Like many great endeavors, Big Sapling started small. The original goal was simple: build a creative platform to write, illustrate, and publish heartfelt children’s books. The inspiration began before Justin's son, Xavier, was even born—first imagining the story of Howard the Owl while his wife was pregnant, telling it to Xavier through her belly and later watching his face light up as he recognized Howard in his drawings.

That heartfelt tale became Whooo Whooo Whoooo's There?—our debut release starring Howard the Owl.

The Name and Logo

"The child in our logo is Xavier reading under a tree. Like young trees, children are saplings—able to be shaped, strengthened, and grown by what we cultivate within them."

The name Big Sapling captures that delicate, powerful moment in life where growth begins. With the right encouragement, curiosity, and stories, even the smallest sapling has the potential to grow into a grand, enduring canopy.

Branching into New Horizons

While our roots remain deeply planted in children's literature, Big Sapling Publishing is expanding to shelter stories for older readers.

Launching in late 2026, the Reckoning of the Twelve series marks our entry into young adult urban fantasy. The debut novel, Chosen of Raza, introduces readers to Max Yamata and a modern world interwoven with ancient supernatural stakes, mysterious entities, and dark powers.

Whether for a 4-year-old giggling at an owl in a tree or a teenager devouring an immersive fantasy quest, our mission remains steadfast: create worlds where readers are inspired to think, imagine, and explore.

Independent Publishing & Imprint Services

We are proud to be an independent publisher. We believe that modern independent publishing provides creative freedom, authentic storytelling, and closer connections with readers.

While Big Sapling is not a large commercial publishing house, we are passionate about the craft of self-publishing. In the future, we plan to assist select fellow creators in bringing their own books to life under the Big Sapling imprint—guiding them through book formatting, cover design, and worldwide distribution through partners like IngramSpark.