Pay What it Costs Publishing
specializing in books designed to further justice
Missing Person
For nearly five decades, Andrew Vachss reigned as a master of stripped-clean sentences and gut-punching truths. An extraordinarily prolific writer, his nonfiction work helped transform the landscape of child protection, while his novels topped bestseller lists, including the enormously popular Burke series. He called these novels “Trojan horses” in his lifelong battle for justice for children.
Vachss left behind two nearly finished manuscripts. It is with immense pride that Pay What It Costs announces the forthcoming publication of Missing Person by Andrew Vachss. A new assassin. Old grief. Revenge, dark and cold. And a redefinition of love that will take your breath away.
What We Owe to Libraries
“Don’t give up on freedom, democracy, the Constitution, or our promise of a more perfect nation. The promises made by our Founders rest in our hearts, and only we can keep them alive or let them die. America has choices to make — you have choices to make. Pick up a book, challenge yourself and challenge authority.”
Kesten, R. (2026, January 1). Supreme Court clears the way for more book bans. Sun Sentinel.
A year ago, the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from a lower court’s egregious book-banning decision – a choice which was oth horrifying and an opportunity. It is, of course, shameful that the Supreme Court failed to defend our freedoms. But opposition to book banning was loud enough that they wouldn’t put that in writing. Now, it is time to be louder.
According to the American Library Association’s Center for Intellectual Freedom, “In 2025, 92% of all book challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials and decision makers, up from 72% in 2024. Less than 3% of challenges originated from individual parents.”
American Library Association — Book Ban Data
Polls consistently show that the majority of Americans oppose book banning. Yet school boards across the country continue to impose them. The next time you cast a ballot in a local election ... find out where your school board candidates stand on book bans and vote accordingly. Local elections also are an opportunity to policy-set on a wider basis. Individual legislators, some cities and even some states have initiated bans of book bans. Vote for them.
Libraries and librarians in this country have lead the battles against censorship and book banning. Beginning in 1939, they incorporated that role and mission into a Library Bill of Rights.
American Library Association — Library Bill of Rights
We believe it is our moral obligation to support them, particularly as they face the two-pronged assault of funding cuts and accelerated book banning.
For so many of us, libraries were our first real freedom and where our love of reading was born. We can’t afford to have book-deprived generations come after us. One final way to support libraries ... use them. It is a point of pride whenever our books turn up in library catalogues. Librarians are wonderfully responsive. If you request a book, and they can find room for it in their budget, they will try to get it for you. We deliberately publish with library-friendly distributors. We’d love you to request our books, but if not ours, then your favorites, or your wish-list, or a spontaneous indulgence. Go ahead. You know you want to.
Alice Vachss
Truth is all that matters. I’ll pay what it costs to get the truth. I’ll pay what it costs to get it out.