Growing up on military bases throughout the world, Andy Symonds always knew writing was in his blood. Creating poetry, short stories, and even a novel by the age of nine (The Adventures of Ricky and Jimmy, typed on an actual typewriter and still in existence today) consumed Andy in between hockey and baseball practice. In 2001, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism and a reporter job covering local politics for the second-largest daily newspaper in Maryland. He had fulfilled his dreams: He was a professional writer.
While Andy would leave journalism full time to enter corporate America, his passion for the written word didn’t wane, and he never stopped writing. It was the quest to publish his novel My Father’s Son that led him to the world of publishing, and he knew that’s where he belonged. After years of querying agents and failing to land a traditional deal while simultaneously researching every aspect of self-publishing, he discovered the hybrid model. This route eventually led to the release of his first book as well as his first job in publishing as the vice president of acquisitions and business development at the house that published his first two books.
In 2019, Andy decided to forge out on his own, opening Ballast Books and Blue Balloon Books shortly thereafter. In addition to running the companies, Andy still writes one book a year. He lives in Jupiter, Florida, with his wife, two young daughters, and very large dog.
Lauren Green is the director of author services with Ballast Books and its children’s book imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Lauren studied English writing and mass communication at Rockhurst University, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. A professional writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience, Lauren spends much of her free time volunteering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and editing adult nonfiction books. She also enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, rereading the Harry Potter series for the zillionth time, and helping authors achieve their dream of publishing a book. Lauren lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and beloved Australian shepherd, Harper Lee.
Savannah Spidalieri is the director of publishing, with Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Savannah attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington where she studied creative writing, publishing and printing arts, and children’s literature. With over a decade of experience as an editor of fiction and poetry, Savannah is also passionate about helping authors perfect their non-fiction works. When not writing and editing in a professional capacity, she tries to find time to read for enjoyment as well as care for the forty-some houseplants she somehow collected over the past few years. Savannah currently resides with her family outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, where her to-be-read stack is embarrassingly long for someone who reads for a living.
Kat Dixon is an acquisitions editor at Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. After receiving a BA in English and an MA in American Studies from Kennesaw State University, Kat spent a decade traveling the world to write, read, teach, and edit manuscripts. She is the author of four books and has developed, edited, and championed many, many more. Kat currently resides in Mobile, Alabama, where she enjoys having adventures with her two dogs and engaging in community improvement and beautification projects.
Kayleigh Rucinski is the senior production editor at Ballast Books and its children’s book imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Kayleigh attended Belmont University where she studied publishing and writing. She currently resides in Appleton, Wisconsin. Besides her love for reading and writing, Kayleigh enjoys spending time outdoors and finding new adventures.
Mirko Pohle is the creative director and designer of All Your Pixels and has brought fifteen years of experience and leadership to the clients, companies, and projects that he has worked for. Through strategy, organization, core design principles, and a forward-thinking creative mentality, his strengths align with producing engaging content that presents a brand, a product, a lifestyle, a service, or information through a printed or digital medium. After being born and educated in Zürich, Switzerland, and graduating with honors from The Maryland Institute College of Art, his ethic is to compulsively self-improve and to create and advance crafted, timeless design solutions that are unique to each project, client, and employer.
David Vasquez has over twenty years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, and financial analysis. Prior to joining Ballast Books, David worked in the accounting and transaction services practice of MorganFranklin Consulting and in Deloitte’s assurance and audit practice. David holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both accounting and in finance from the University of Maryland College Park and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia.
Beau Johnson is the acquisitions team assistant with Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Beau graduated from San Francisco State University, where she studied creative writing and acted as fiction editor for the school’s student-run and -published literary magazine, Transfer. She thoroughly enjoys a good speculative fiction book when there’s a moment to relax as well as listening to Dungeons & Dragons podcasts when time is less forgiving. She was raised and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Emma Sherk is the publishing/editorial assistant with Ballast Books and its children’s book imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Emma attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where she studied book publishing and French. An avid reader all her life, Emma is happy to be part of the publishing process. Other than reading, she loves going to coffee shops, watching movies, and practicing her French. She grew up and currently resides just outside of Nashville.
A native of Upstate New York, Faith Fiorile holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and writing. As a social media manager at Ballast Books and a former marketing manager for several podcasts featuring authors and thought leaders, she consistently engages her enthusiasm for book promotion and content creation. Drawing inspiration from her book blog, where she publishes reviews of books from major trade publishers, Faith’s passion for the book sector has influenced her decision to attend the Columbia Publishing Course at the University of Oxford. She is eager to bring her skill set to the industry and work toward a more inclusive, equitable, and socially responsible future for publishing.
Journey is a recent graduate of Belmont University with degrees in book publishing and journalism. She currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and spends her free time reading, crafting, or completing 1,000 piece puzzles.
Camma Duhamell is an acquisitions editor at Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on technical and professional writing from Indiana University and is working toward a master’s degree in English from the same university, where she managed the literary journal, Tributaries: A Journal of Creative Arts. A true lifelong lover of literature, Camma is living her greatest dream helping authors turn their book ideas into a published reality. In her free time, she enjoys reading historical fiction and fantasy, playing Dungeons & Dragons, studying Japanese, and working on knit and crochet projects. She lives in Northwest Indiana with her daughter.
Fabiana Beuses is an editorial assistant at Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. She graduated from Florida State University, where she studied English and communication and served as the editor in chief of Her Campus at FSU. A lover of red pens and red carpets in equal measure, Fabiana channels her encyclopedic pop culture knowledge through entertainment journalism. When she’s not editing manuscripts, you can find her interviewing celebrities, taste-testing vanilla lattes, or rereading the Harry Potter series for the millionth time.
Kent’s background includes more than twelve years of experience in radio, advertising, and voiceover as well as a B.A. in broadcasting. For the past fifteen years, he has been the proud owner of his own audio production company, Tone Tree Audio, LLC. These unique experiences give him the ability to narrate, record, and produce high-quality audio for distribution.
In addition, Kent utilizes his voiceover skills for local commercials and performing arts events. He continues to record, mix, and master music for local bands, along with editing audiobook projects for other narrators.
Kent was inspired to get into audiobook narration because his mother and grandmother were both afflicted with macular degeneration, which causes near blindness. Kent wants his family and others with similar afflictions to still be able to enjoy books, regardless of their sighted abilities.
When not narrating, Kent revels in the quiet beauty of Nebraska’s Platte River as well as the cornfields that surround him. These provide inspiration for his passion for writing and recording ambient music. He enjoys reading, listening to audiobooks, playing music, and telling stories with his wife and three children.
Helene Webb is the distribution and sales manager for Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Helene (pronounced huh-lane-uh) attended Florida State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in digital media studies. Her marketing experience spans a variety of industries, and she has even worked with the U.S. House of Representatives. In her free time, Helene enjoys long walks with her chihuahua, Tony Stark. She was raised in Washington, D.C., and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kayla is the publicist for Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. She is no stranger to the publishing world, as she’s worked in publicity, marketing, social media, and design. An avid reader, writer, and plant enthusiast, her off-hours are spent hoarding books, editing her fantasy manuscript, and caring for her house and patio plants. A lover of language, Kayla often practices learning new languages and has been blessed to have lived in several states as well as abroad. Kayla studied a writing degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design. It was there that her true love for writing and literature was fueled, and it’s carried and comforted her throughout the years since.
Michelle Luevano has a BA in Architecture and a lifelong love for books, sparked by her father’s tradition of bringing her one home from the local newspaper store. With a passion for interior and fashion design, she finds inspiration in the vibrant colors and emotional depth of Van Gogh’s art and life.
A marketing enthusiast, Michelle dedicates her free time to creative projects and exploring new trends, all while enjoying the company of her beloved dog, Ginger. She also loves to bake sweets for her friends and family, creating delicious treats that bring everyone together. Her diverse interests and artistic background blend seamlessly, shaping her unique perspective on design and storytelling.