EXECUTIVE BOARD + OFFICERS
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Courtney Burke: Secretary/Historian and Co-Director of Reader Relations
Courtney Burke is from a town with almost as many apple trees as people and currently resides in Brookline, MA. She always has her nose in a book (or two...or three), but when she’s not reading, she loves to travel, write, take photos, and play video games (badly). She graduated from Emerson College with a B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and works as an associate editor at Page Street Kids. Find her online: Twitter |
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Renée Combs: President and Director of Media Production
Renée was practically predestined to have a love of words after being raised on a steady diet of books and Disney movies. She received her B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College where she cofounded the Boston Teen Author Festival during her senior year. She is now pursuing a Masters in Library Science with a focus on youth services from Simmons University. Renée lives in Cambridge, MA with her smol cat, a hoard of books, and far too many owl-shaped things. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram | Website |
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Marisa Finkelstein: Vice-President and Director of Logistics, Co-Director of Finance
Marisa is nose-deep in words on a daily basis as a production editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. She graduated from Emerson College, where she majored in Writing, Literature, and Publishing and was a copresident and publisher of Undergraduate Students for Publishing (or lovingly shortened to “Pub Club”). If she’s not reading for work or leisure, you can find her curled on the sofa with her latest anime, manga, or video game obsession. Even though Marisa currently resides in New York, she can’t stay away from Boston and also fills her time as a staff member for the volunteers program at Anime Boston. She is the other cofounder of the Boston Teen Author Festival. Find her online: Twitter |
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Hannah Moushabeck: Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Hannah is a first-generation immigrant and second-generation book-industry lifer. Born into a family-run publishing company, she learned her ABCs while shelving books in her uncle’s bookstore. Some say she little choice but to shape her life around books. After working as an independent bookseller in New England and serving as the co-chair of the New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Committee, she flew across the country to work in children's book marketing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. After a brief stint in Brooklyn, she landed back in her home state of Massachusetts and is currently marketing children’s books for The Quarto Group. She has a weakness for impractically sized picture books and Kanafeh. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram |
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Zaynah Qutubuddin: Treasurer and Co-Director of Finance and Reader Relations
Zaynah is a YA writer from Richmond, VA who resides in Boston, MA where she earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. She has been a lifelong storyteller, creating tales as a kid to amuse (and scare!) her sister and many younger cousins. She loves fantastical worlds, adventurous plots, and all the complex characters you can squish into one story. Her perpetual problem is never having enough time to read, write, and eat all the things. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram | Website |
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India Winslow: Director of Author Relations
India is a book-loving Hufflepuff from Georgia now living in the Boston-Area. A former indie bookseller and Disney Cast Member, she thinks that life is a bit better with a touch of magic, and what is more magical than a great book? When she's not plotting out her next adventures, singing along to her favorite musicals, or playing with her perfect pup, Carter, she works as a Youth Services Librarian at Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, MA. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram |
DEVELOPMENT TEAMS
Author Relations
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Julia Jacques: Author/Publisher Communications Coordinator
Julia is a dedicated lover of books who surprised absolutely no one (except maybe herself) when she ended up in the publishing world. Julia graduated from Assumption College with a BA in English and quickly went on to Simmons College (now University), where she graduated with an MS in Children’s Literature and interned with The Horn Book Magazine and Candlewick Press. During the day, she’s an acquisitions editor at Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster that specializes in adult non-fiction. She spends the rest of her time reading, painting, baking, eating tacos, and thinking about Harry Potter. Find her online: Twitter | Website |
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Clarissa Murphy: Author/Publisher Communications Coordinator
Clarissa grew up on the island of Martha’s Vineyard where she worked in her first indie bookstore. There she discovered an immense and endless passion for being a Children’s Bookseller. She tried many other jobs but keeps coming back to bookselling. At this point she is also pretty sure her book obsessed family would rebel if she stopped working in the book industry. Having worked in several Boston area bookstores, she now manages the MIT Press Bookstore in Cambridge, MA. Clarissa is also co-Director and Founder of Metro Boston Bookstore Day, which is the local branch of Independent Bookstore Day. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram |
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Courtney Elston: Author Experience Coordinator
Courtney has lived all over the country – from San Francisco to Fargo – but currently calls Boston home. She used to be a freelance editor but now works in rights management for an educational technology company where she gets to bring great literature to kids. In her spare time, she enjoys reading every microhistory she can find, using her B.A. in Geography to find new travel destinations (and win trivia!), and nerding out over classical antiquity. |
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Anushree "Anu" Nande: Author Experience Coordinator
Hope is Anu's superpower. Arsenal Football Club, perhaps irrationally, dominates many of this Mumbai girl's waking (and sleeping) hours; the rest she spends reading, writing, freelancing, hoarding books, working through creative demons with sport and art, and asking herself what Coach Taylor would do. In October 2015, Underground Voices published her microfiction collection, 55 Words. Anu's also got an MA and BA in Creative Writing from Edge Hill University in Lancashire, England, and has lived in Spain for a nine-month stint as an English conversational assistant. She just finished an MA in Publishing and Writing at Emerson College and is currently a publicity intern at Candlewick Press and an undergraduate instructor at Emerson. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram | Website |
Finance
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Katie Mulcahy: Financial Coordinator
Katie is from the near-mythical land of Central Massachusetts but traveled east to obtain her BA in English and Political Science from Boston College. She now lives near the historic location of the original Dunkin Donuts and battles the MBTA beast of a Red Line to get to work, where every day she works in the Finance department of Hachette Book Group. Growing up, she read every book she could get her paws on (usually multiple times) and is now attempting to build an entire house out of all the books she owns. Until construction is completed, she spends her time baking goods, watching football, haunting food trucks, and working on her MBA. Fine her online: Twitter | Instagram |
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Nina Leclerc: Fundraising Coordinator
Nina is a New Englander, born and raised. She’s lived her whole life in MA, specifically the Greater Springfield area. She drinks her iced coffee year-round and everything is wicked. She is currently a Payroll Coordinator at Western New England University and is working towards her BA in Computer Science. When she’s not elbow deep in code, she can be found reading with her two cats snuggled on her lap (or, more often, on her book), playing her Nintendo Switch, re-watching The Office, or picking things up and putting them down at her local CrossFit gym. Raised on Tolkien, Lucas, and Rowling, Nina has a passion for grand adventures and all things magical. |
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Katherine Ouellette: Fundraising Coordinator
Katherine will take any excuse to talk about books, which is why she works in publishing by day and writes about arts & culture by night. You can find her words on WBUR, Bustle, Allston Pudding, Wellesley Women's Review of Books, and The Hippo. When she's not reading, she's going to concerts and taking photographs. She is a graduate of Emerson College's BFA program for Writing, Literature, and Publishing. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram |
Logistics
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Corinne Coveney: Logistical Coordinator
Corinne spends the majority of her time thinking about, working in, and studying libraries -- and come May 2020, she'll be a Master of Library and Information Science! Before libraries, she sold Red Sox memorabilia to exuberant fans at Fenway Park and sorted donations at a thrift store (and of course snagged all the best stuff to buy for herself). Now, in her free time, she writes lists, contemplates the merits of bullet journaling, plays board games, procrasti-bakes, and fosters her fledgling collection of enamel pins. |
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Alexis Hatcher: Logistical Coordinator
Alexis grew up and went to school in New York, double majoring in English and Psychology at Binghamton University. For most of her life, she could either be found nose deep in a fantasy novel, going for a run, or vacationing to Disney World (fun fact, she’s been there over 15 times!). It was serendipitous that she was on the last day of a Disney vacation when she was offered her current role in project management at an EdTech company in Boston, and she’s worked there for the past three years. She now resides in Malden, splitting her free time between coordinating weddings and working on her own fantasy novel—sentence by sentence, word by word! |
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Leslie Ann Hynes: Accessibility Services Coordinator
Leslie became a librarian by accident. She moved to Tokyo after graduating with a BA in East Asian Studies from Simmons College (now University). Seven years later, it was time to move back to Boston. Leslie is the elementary librarian at a local private school. She lives in Boston with her books, craft supplies, and cat named Turtle. |
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Yara Reca-Vargas: Logistical Coordinator
Yara was raised between Boston and NYC. She graduated from Harvard University with her bachelor's in Liberal Arts, and she's worked at Boston Children's Hospital for the past fourteen years. However, she enjoys herself the most when she's reading. Besides reading, blogging and book hoarding, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering with various groups, and exploring the world. She strongly believes that reading is traveling with your mind. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram | Website |
Marketing
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Logan Ashley LeDuc: Marketing and Social Media Specialist
Logan is just your typical, nose-in-a-book Connecticut native, currently living it up in the Arizona sunshine! She works full-time for Once Upon a Book Club where she does a little bit of everything, though her favorite part has to be reading and curating the young adult boxes each month! She is currently working on her first book and spends her spare time editing the work of other writers through her website, checking out new restaurants, playing Animal Crossing curled up with her husband and pets, and dreaming of her next adventure. She has an A.S. in Communications and Journalism from Manchester Community College and a B.A. in English from Central Connecticut State University. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram | Website |
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Bianca Morales: Marketing and Social Media Specialist
Bianca is a reader, dreamer and designer. Born and raised in Middlesex County, she graduated from Salem State University with a BA in Graphic Design. Raised by a fellow book lover, her passion for reading started at a young age. Her journey started rough though until the right book came along and showed her the magic of storytelling and reading. Since that day she can always be found with a book in her hand and lost in a story. Beside loving all things books, she loves all things pups and design. |
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Aneeqah Naeem: Marketing and Social Media Specialist
Aneeqah grew up in the aisles of her local library, where she could be found wandering through the shelves with awe. Now she writes YA novels about ambitious desi teens and sprawling fantasy worlds. When she’s not buried in the pages of a story, you can find her on the hunt for the best taco. She studies public policy and biology at Brown University and is always looking for gorgeous New England libraries to get lost in. |
Media Production
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Emilie Rodgers: Visual Media Specialist
Emilie is an artist, author, seamstress, and night-owl living in the Greater Boston area. She has a B.S. in Game Art & Animation from Champlain College. She began her career as a freelance video game artist and is now employed as a graphic designer working with major brands in online advertising. In her free time she writes, draws, sews, and plans for her next world-travel adventure. Her dream is to publish a novel. Find her online: Instagram | Website |
Public Relations
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Julia Domenicucci: Public Outreach Coordinator
Julia spends her days and nights thinking about books. During the week, she develops digital content for English textbooks at Bedford/St. Martin's (Macmillan Learning). She graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, and often reminisces about the many hours she spent in Undergraduate Students for Publishing. Today, she spends most of her spare time reading. In her leftover spare time, she enjoys trying out restaurants around Boston, walking/hiking in pretty places, and hanging out with her large & literary-minded cat, Cedric. Find her online: Twitter |
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Nyle Vialet: Public Outreach Coordinator
What do you get when you mix a love of poetry, music, and all things #blackgirlmagic? A naturalista named Nyle J. Vialet who was born and raised down south in Atlanta, GA. If you saw Nyle six years ago, you would've found her either tucked away writing pages of poetry and short stories or sitting quietly reading a book or two. Books that would ultimately take her to a world filled with intrigue and romance. To her family's shock, she decided to move to Providence, RI to attend Johnson & Wales University as a Media and Communication Studies major. Now, constantly searching for new mini adventures, this writer/editor has planted her feet in Massachusetts where she works as an Editorial Project Manager for The Quarto Group working with amazing authors and freelancers. Nyle's passion for writing, reading, and editing burns a thousands flames. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram |
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Connor Hager: Educator Liaison
Connor is an avid lover of stories across all platforms. A soon-to-be graduate from Tufts University and originally from New Hampshire, he feels that passion comes in multiple areas of life. This is why he also enjoys confusing people when using the words “biology major” and “creative writer” in the same sentence. His one rule of writing is that every story should have a dog in it. |
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Alexandra Remy: Educator Liaison
Alex is a Branch Manager and youth services connoisseur from the Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her love for books probably started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar (because Eric Carle is life) and has continued into her career as a librarian for ages 0-18. She graduated with a B.S. in Communication and Art History from Eastern Connecticut State University and an M.S. in Library Science and Archives Management from Simmons College. As much as she likes reading, you’re more likely to find her tromping around on hiking trails or somewhere outdoors than in a book! She loves dogs, Vietnamese food, and roller skating. |
Reader Relations
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Hannah Lamarre: Reader Relations Coordinator
Hannah is a Boston-based YA writer who loves contemporary realistic fiction, ghosts, and stories where the real treasure is the friends we made along the way. She received her BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in 2015, and is currently pursuing her MFA in Writing for Children at Simmons University. Her work has been published by Wizards in Space and Broken Tooth Press's Hollow VI. When she isn't reading, you can find her making extensive playlists for whatever she's working on, communing with nature at Jamaica Pond, or writing fiction in a Caffe Nero near you. Find her online: Twitter |
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Cassandra Maxim: Reader Experience Coordinator
Cassandra is a Massachusetts native that is very passionate about all things nerdy; she can recall the entire history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by heart and loves going to Comic Con in her spare time. She is a sophomore at Emerson College and her major is Writing Literature and Publishing with a minor in Media Studies. When she isn't making coffee at the Barnes and Noble Café or cramming for finals, she loves to read young adult novels (her favorite book is Six of Crows), write screenplays, and go for hikes with her family in Maine. |
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Andria Sedig: Reader Experience Coordinator
Andria was born and raised in the midwest and has moved across country twice, recently moving from Connecticut to California to teach some wonderful middle school students about the love of literature. She studied English and Secondary Education at Carthage College and went on to get a Master's in English at Southern New Hampshire University. Andria has always wanted to teach and absolutely loves working in the classroom with students to analyze and discuss texts. When she isn't in the classroom, Andria is reading potential new books for her classroom library, playing Dungeons and Dragons, watercolor painting, or exploring her new home in the Bay Area. Find her online: Instagram |
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Ashley Atkins: Volunteer Coordinator
Ashley is a people person. She uses her bubbly personality to its greatest potential as a Sourcing Specialist at Oxford Global Resources and Food Service Supervisor at Canobie Lake Park. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Business this May, Ashley will pursue a career in human resources, as a Corporate Recruiter. Ashley spends her free time reading, gracing her friends with excellent book recommendations, and pestering them to read said books so she’ll have someone with whom she can talk about them. She is on a quest to seek out the best local vineyard, has a passion for Lizzo, and is always in the mood for a good murder mystery. |
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Lauren Cepero: Volunteer Coordinator
Originally from the Sunshine State, Lauren now calls the Witch City home. She is a graduate of Emerson College with a M.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and is a publicist a Page Street Kids. Lauren is enthusiastic about any temperature over 70 degrees, writing podcasts, costume dramas, and of course, all things book-related. |
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Walter Gordon: Teen Advisory Board Coordinator
Walter was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Bringing his southern charm with him, he moved out to Boston to attend Emerson college at the end of his high school career. He is currently an undergraduate student studying to get a double major in a Creative Writing BFA and Marketing Communication BS. In his free time, he enjoys reading fantasy, gothic, and YA fiction, writing, exercising, hanging out with his friends while also making new ones. He is ambivert with a knack and love for communicating with others. His ultimate goal in life is to be an author so he can tell others stories just like the ones which inspired him. |
ADVISORY BOARD
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Patrice Caldwell is a writer, Associate Editor at Disney-Hyperion, and the founder & fundraising chair of People of Color in Publishing. She's also a contributor to Publishing Crawl, Bustle, and Autostraddle as well as a tea-enthusiast. Her writing is represented by Peter Knapp at Park Literary & Media. Find her online: Twitter | Instagram | Website
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Rebecca Podos is the author of YA novels The Mystery of Hollow Places and Like Water, with her third novel, The Psychic Sisters of Saltville, coming January 2019. She is a graduate of the Writing, Literature and Publishing MFA Program at Emerson College. By day, she represents Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction at the Rees Literary Agency in Boston. Find her online: Twitter | Website
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Rachel Strolle is the newly minted teen librarian at Glenside Public Library District, located in a western suburb of Chicago. She coordinated the 2018 Tournament of Books for the Young Adult Services Forum, a division of the Illinois Library Association. She was a bookseller for over five years at Andersons Bookshop, where she helped plan and run summer camps based off books and was awarded a 2017 Holiday Bookseller Bonus from James Patterson. Rachel shouts about books on her blog, Rec-It Rachel and on Twitter. Most importantly, she has a dog named Winston who is both the cutest and naughtiest Welsh Terrier in the universe. Find her online: Twitter | Website
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Joanna Volpe is a literary agent and the president of New Leaf Literary & Media, where she represents a broad reach of fiction and non-fiction. Joanna works with incredible talent such as Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows, Henry Holt), Ryan Higa (How to Write Good, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), Veronica Roth (Divergent series, Katherine Tegen Books), Sasha Alsberg (Zenith, Inkyard Press), and Holly Black (Cruel Prince, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), among others. In her fiction, she is seeking unique and diverse perspectives, and enjoys morbid, strange, and offbeat topics. Her tastes in non-fiction range from food-related books and travel books to general pop-culture and pop-science, on to narrative non-fiction featuring captivating and powerful women. Find her online: Twitter | Website
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