Maldina Publishing, LLC. is a family-owned independent publishing company founded in 2022.
Founded in 2022 by author Monique Maldonado and illustrator/designer Jaime Maldonado III. From the very beginning, our goal was clear: to build our own publishing house that combines storytelling, illustration, and creative production to bring meaningful stories to life.
Our journey began with the creation of Monique’s debut children’s book, The Looking List, a heartwarming story about a young girl who learns the value of creating a “looking list” with her Mami after losing her favorite pen. Self-publishing this book gave us firsthand experience navigating every step of the publishing process — from writing and illustration to design and production.
Shortly after publishing The Looking List, we realized we wanted to share our experience with other authors, helping them confidently bring their own stories to the world.
Since then, Maldina Publishing has supported other storytellers, including our first signed author, Jose Luis Roldan, whose poetry collection Mis Memorias celebrates his Puerto Rican heritage and explores the migrant experience. His work and Maldina Publishing were featured on WGN-TV, highlighting the meaningful stories we help bring to readers.
(Watch the interview here → https://bit.ly/joseluisroldan)
Our
Story
MISSION
To empower underrepresented voices and to bring their stories to life through high-quality, creatively driven, and author-centered publishing. We are committed to honoring the craft of storytelling by producing books with intention, integrity, and impact.
VISION
To build a thriving, inclusive publishing house that champions creativity, amplifies meaningful stories, and increases representation in the literary world — one beautifully produced book at a time.
Today, Maldina Publishing continues to expand its work to support authors who are ready to bring their stories into the world. With Monique’s experience as an author and Jaime’s expertise in illustration and design, the company provides thoughtful guidance throughout the publishing journey.
As a boutique publishing company, we believe every story deserves care, creativity, and attention to detail. We look forward to continuing to publish books that spark imagination, celebrate culture, and create lasting impact.
