Meet the folks who worked on Present Yourself
It takes a team to build a book.
When we started Present Yourself, we knew we were going to have to pull together our own team. We wanted to feature multiple perspectives and experiences in the book so we always planned to include guest contributors to share their stories and advice. But, we didn’t just need a team to write the book. We needed a team to create the book.
One of the reasons that we decided to self-publish was so that we could work with people who were representative of our diverse community. That freedom allowed us to find the designers, editors, proofreaders, and other folks who best fit the needs of our project.
Throughout the writing, editing, and publishing process, we had the opportunity to work with brilliant people who brought their own expertise to Present Yourself. Now that we’re so close to publishing, we want to highlight each individual and thank them for their contribution to this special project:
Book Designer: Dian Holton
Dian Holton is an art director at AARP, the largest US nonprofit organization, where she oversees creative for TheGirlfriend.com and Sistersletter.com, as well as design for AARP The Magazine. With a background that includes book design, branding retail installation, styling and footwear design, Dian is the book art director and designer behind New York Times bestseller, Do The Work: An Anti-Racism Activity Book for Adults. Her passions, which include education, philanthropy, fashion and travel, help to enrich her multifaceted approach to life. You can find Dian at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dian-holton.
Developmental Editor: Danielle Goodman
Danielle Goodman is a non-fiction book editor with over 15 years’ experience and the founder of The GoodGood, a boutique editorial consultancy in San Francisco. She provides coaching and editorial support at every stage of the book-writing journey. Her authors say she has a gentle but firm hand that wins their trust; they know that she is helping them to showcase the best version of their big ideas.
Danielle has worked with thought leaders in the fields of leadership, management, diversity, inclusion, and equity, creativity, entrepreneurship, social justice and social responsibility, sustainability, personal development, expanding consciousness, and health and wellness. Her authors have been published by big-five publishers like Hachette and Penguin Random House, niche publishers like Berrett-Koehler and Sounds True, and independently.
Born and raised in Trinidad, Danielle’s background makes her particularly interested in books that center the experiences of immigrants, people of the global majority, and women, and that help individuals to create the space for all their identities to thrive. To learn more about Danielle and how she can support you in turning your big idea into a compelling book, visit whatsthegood.com.
Line Editor: Susan Bond
Susan Bond is a seasoned wordsmith and book editor who enjoys working with language and copy. Whether working with one or several authors on a project, she has a sixth sense for developing an authentic and consistent voice and style, and for inspiring content that’s clear and engaging.
An experienced line (stylistic) editor, copyeditor, and proofreader, Susan has edited literary, digital tech, and educational books for Canadian and American publishers and authors.
In a career spanning more than two decades, Susan’s roles have included creative director (publishing), content strategist, senior copywriter, creative strategist, brand strategist, and managing editor. She communicates well with stakeholders to tease out relevant material for early drafts and to build consensus for evolving content.
Susan enjoys spending time with her four grown children and their families. She also likes to travel, sing in choirs, write music and poetry, hike with friends, knit, cook, and practice qigong.
Contact her on linkedin.com/in/susanbondconsulting.
Copy Editor: Kumari Pacheco
Kumari Pacheco (@kumariamani) is an editor, content designer, and writer impassioned by intersectional solutions and storytelling. She currently freelance edits books for Row House Publishing, Page Street Publishing, Crossed Crow Books, and A Book Apart—as well as volunteers as a juror for both the Scholastic Writing Awards and the Leyla Beban Foundation’s $1000 for 1000 Words writing competition.
Her editorial practice centers person-first language and empowers writers of all identities. For information on how to hire her, visit kumaricreates.com/editing-services or contact her directly at kumari.pacheco@gmail.com!
Proofreader: Dee Hudson
Dee Hudson is an editor and writing coach from Georgia. She studied English, History, and Women’s Studies before turning her lifelong love of reading into a career in publishing. Dee is available for developmental editing, proofreading, writing coaching, and sensitivity reading. You can request her services through Tessera Editorial at https://www.tesseraeditorial.com.
Marketing Copywriter: Ami Hendrickson
As a book coach and developmental editor, Ami Hendrickson helps thought leaders write books worth putting their name on. She teaches simple, repeatable processes that help people who have never before been published produce manuscripts ready for publication.
Ami has co-written or ghosted bestselling books for famous people including equestrian empire builders, an Olympic photographer, and a neurosurgeon. She has copywritten the back cover copy for hundreds of books. She has also written award-winning screenplays and stage plays. She holds degrees in English and education and enjoys conducting writing and communication workshops, though had she been aware that “panda cuddler” was an actual paying job, she suspects her career path would have been quite different.
Find Ami at www.AmiHendrickson.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ami-hendrickson/.
Ebook Layout: Laura Brady
Laura Brady is an inclusive publishing expert who works with eBound Canada and the Accessible Books Consortium among other organizations. She has more than 25 years of trade publishing experience, working in digital publishing for the past fifteen years, creating and converting ebooks, training publishers on accessible workflows, and consulting for service organizations about how to publish inclusively while worrying about everyone’s reading experience. She teaches about ebooks, publishing, and accessibility at Simon Fraser University and Toronto Metropolitan University. You can find Laura at https://laurabrady.ca/.
Sensitivity Reader: Jennifer Li
Jennifer Li is an editor, consultant, and hobbyist photographer based in Canada with a background in science and analytics/consulting work. She is available for developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and sensitivity reading services through Tessera Editorial or LinkedIn.
Present Yourself is now available on Bookshop, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. This book is for everyone who has ever fought for an equal shot at the spotlight and we truly believe it will inspire so many people. Thank you for following along and supporting this project!
