our story
Telling stories since 2010.
Black & White Publishing began with a simple belief: music changes everything.
How it began
A name, and a promise.
It all began with Newstead. Melanie Schulz, the author of the Newstead books, and inventor of ubooks, wanted her readers to experience the books the way she had– hunched over a screen, dark closing in around her, and unsettling music drawing her in, deeper into that world. And so, ubooks were born, and with them Black and White Publishing.
Why “Black & White”– at its simplest, because it means truth. Here we are very selective about what we publish. Not that we don’t publish fiction. We do. But it cannot be misleading. It will not be manipulative. Books were meant to draw in, to entertain. Not to push an agenda.
Today we publish what is good. It may be a picture book, a chapter book, young adult, or even adult titles. But it must be really, really good with a strong voice. And, due to the nature of our format, it must work well within that framework.
“The words bring you in, the music keeps you there, and the seamless reading makes sure you never want to leave.”
Melanie Schulz, founder
the ubook
How a ubook is made
Our patented format took seven years to develop. Every chapter still comes together the same careful way.
i.
The story
An author writes the book, and together we shape it chapter by chapter.
ii.
The frames
Each chapter is laid out sentence by sentence, page by page, so every line arrives at just the right moment.
iii.
The music
A composer writes an original piece for that chapter alone, following its mood from first line to last.
iv.
The ubook
Words and music are joined into one chapter, and released one at a time, ready to read.
Where readers begin
Set Books Free
Before a child can fall into a ubook, they learn to read. Our patented Set Books Free program uses music to help new readers learn with ease and confidence.
The people behind the pages
Authors, artists and composers.
None of this would be possible without the musical genius of Nathan Moran (our composer) and the artistic talents of Jessica Gadra (our leading illustrator). We truly work with the best in the world, and it shows. I, as the creative director, pride myself on being able to recognize what is beautiful, not only in regard to music and artwork, but writing as well. Only the very best books get to become a ubook.
-Melanie Schulz
Dear storyteller,
If you’ve written or illustrated a story that deserves its own soundtrack, we would love to meet it.