Jill Dianne Swenson, Ph.D.

President

Jill Swenson is a developmental editor and literary consultant who established Swenson Book Development LLC in 2011. Previously tenured at Ithaca College as a journalism educator and media studies scholar, Jill lived off-the-grid for a decade in upstate New York. She has worked as a car mechanic, a Christmas wreath-maker, and a lifeguard at a women’s pool in Saudi Arabia. She’s taught writing workshops at the Loft Literary Center, Grand Marais Art Colony, and in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she lives with her dog Daisy. With a Ph.D. from The University of Chicago, 30 years of teaching, editing, and coaching writers, Jill is an author’s advocate.

Jenna Goodman

Editor

In addition to reading an average of 200 books a year, Jenna Goodman has worked in shiny L.A. ad offices, poured coffee in late night truck stops, and skated inside blocker on the roller derby track. She combines a sharp editorial eye with a supportive approach to help authors reach their goals while meeting the high expectations of the publishing world. Jenna also works as a pediatric occupational therapist, looks after her husband, author Shawn Goodman, and two daughters.

 

Sharon K. Yntema

Bookkeeper

Sharon K. Yntema is a bookkeeper, licensed massage therapist at Hands On Physical Therapy, and author (Vegetarian Baby series, More Than 100: Women Science Fiction Writers). She started bookkeeping at McBooks Bookstore in 1978, worked part-time for The Bookery since 1990, and started a Little Free Library in downtown Ithaca in 2013. She serves on the executive board of Buffalo Street Books, a cooperatively owned bookstore in Ithaca, NY. She is currently finishing up a book on a 200-year history of bookstores in the Ithaca, NY, area, and beginning a new book on the natural history of her backyard.

Audrey Arnold

Editorial Assistant

A UW-Green Bay graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in English and Arts Management, Audrey Arnold works as a library clerk at the Brown County Library in addition to her editorial work for Swenson Book Development. Ever since she was little, Audrey has had a passion for writing and reading, and her time as editor for Sheepshead Review during college led her to discover a love for the editing and publishing field. Her short stories have been published in a few small magazines and journals, and her dream is to someday publish a novel.

Swenson Book Development also collaborates with graphic designers, photographers, image editors, cover designers, illustrators and other professionals on specific projects as needed.