At By Chance Books, we believe things happen for a reason. Sometimes opportunities arise that we never could have imagined. However, it’s up to us to choose whether or not to follow them.
By Chance Books seizes the opportunity to publish books we believe in when they cross our path. No matter the genre, when we see a book we love, we take a chance on it. While we appreciate technology and the place it has in our current world, we value physical books that can’t be accidentally deleted or paywalled. We also value human connection, and we prioritize books that foster community and creativity. We never accept AI submissions.
If you’ve landed on our page, you’re here for a reason. Maybe one of the books in our catalog calls to you. Maybe it inspires you to write your own book and seek feedback from two experienced professional publishers. Maybe you’ve just found the perfect gift for a loved one. Whatever the reason, we’re glad you’re here.
Meet Our Founders
Jennifer Lombardo has done unofficial editing work for friends and family all her life, but her official career started in 2016. From then until 2025, she worked for a children’s nonfiction publishing company. She has written and edited hundreds of books, both under her own name and under various pen names. It should come as no surprise, then, that she is passionate about children’s literacy.
Jennifer believes that editing is a collaborative process in which author and editor must participate equally. She believes that a good editor will make a work’s message clear to the reader without overriding the author’s voice. When she is not editing, Jennifer enjoys kayaking, cross-stitching and crocheting, and participating in community theater.
Deborah Weisser has been an avid reader and book lover all her life. After several years working in the arts sector, running a music venue and art gallery, she found herself in the world of publishing by happenstance, with absolutely no idea what she was getting herself into. Through intensive training, countless conferences, devouring every book she could find on the subject, and the guidance and support of her predecessor, a highly skilled editor and seasoned publishing professional, she fell in love with the industry. Now she can’t imagine doing anything else. Between acquisitions, editing, contracts, production, distribution, marketing, and all the behind-the-scenes details that go into bringing a book into the world, there truly is never a dull moment.
Deborah believes that publishing should be personal and collaborative, fostering deep connections between the people who make books and the people who read them. She loves working with authors to shape their stories, taking them from a thought, a dream, or an idea to the realized vision of a physical book they can hold in their hands.
When she’s not working on books, Deborah enjoys exploring the Colorado wilderness with Julia the Dog, hanging out with her two boys, cooking overly fancy meals just for herself, knitting and sewing, and, of course, reading.