Swenson Book Development - Jill SwensonJill Dianne Swenson, Ph.D.

President

Jill Swenson is literary agent, developmental editor, and CEO of Swenson Book Development LLC. She spent a decade living off-the-grid in upstate New York, previously taught college journalism at Ithaca College and the University of Georgia-Athens and 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 The Mill, a place for writers in Appleton where she lives with her dog Daisy. They like to walk through sidewalk neighborhoods visiting Little Free Libraries. With a Ph.D. from The University of Chicago, 30 years of teaching, editing, and coaching writers, Jill is an author’s advocate.

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Swenson Book Development - Jenna GoodmanJenna 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.

Swenson Book Development - Sharon YntemaSharon 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 now writing a history of 200 years of Ithaca bookstores (1820-2020).

Mark Thyss

Copy editor

Mark Thyss is a copy editor, proofreader, and grammar geek. With a B.A. in German, Mark also studied Russian, French, Spanish, and Italian. He spent years in the publishing and advertising fields, loves to read Architectural Digest, and enjoys dining in fine restaurants in the Fox Valley.

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.