about the big bad book blog
The Big Bad Book Blog is the brainchild of Greenleaf Book Group’s self-proclaimed Big Bad Book Nerds. It is a creative outlet for the Greenleaf team, designed to educate and entertain the writing and publishing community with useful insights and fun commentaries. Click here to learn more about Greenleaf Book Group: www.GreenleafBookGroup.com.
YOUR BIG BAD BLOGGERS
Clint Greenleaf, CPA, started Greenleaf Book Group in 1997 after writing and publishing two books, selling foreign publication rights, and securing a multi-book contract with Adams Media. Now he’s a big-shot CEO, and he still gets to watch The Simpsons.
Justin Branch oversees the consulting division of Greenleaf Book Group and lives under a large pile of books. (Don’t be fooled by that gruff, gun-wielding cowboy in the picture—he was a different man back then.) At Greenleaf, he identifies promising new titles and gives authors the tools they need to be successful in a retail environment. Justin joined the book industry after eight lively years in television production and marketing.
As Business Development Manager, Tanya seeks out authors, publishers and partnerships to build Greenleaf’s line. A former television producer for Extra! and E! cable networks, Tanya is quick to draw from her experiences working behind-the-scenes to keep the company as glamorous as herself.
Lari Bishop, Managing Editor for Greenleaf Book Group, is experienced in all aspects of the written word. She has a master’s degree in journalism, but loves novels—particularly those with stories about brave women escaping from harrowing adventures on horseback.
A publishing veteran originally educated in journalism and Spanish, Nathan Delacretaz has assumed the unlikely but highly enjoyable (his words, we promise) role of “all-purpose computer guy” at Greenleaf Book Group. Prior to Greenleaf, he was with Harcourt, where he occupied roles varying from international sales to graphic design.
Kristen Sears leads Greenleaf’s distribution department. Kristen ensures each new title is set up with the appropriate venues and presents books to buyers for local and national buys. She is responsible for fostering relationships with booksellers and wholesalers and also handles the development of special sales programs and new distribution channels. Kristen is known for her tendency to eat more than most men, her inability to sit still, and to occasionally break into a spontaneous dance number.
As a four-time winner of Greenleaf’s seasonal “Young at Heart” plaque, Jay Hodges belies his years (and years) of experience with a childlike glee. Jay has a master’s degree in German literature with a minor in Norwegian, is a documentary filmmaker, and a former editor for Routledge and Penguin. When not indulging his creativity, Jay is fond of correcting the grammar of hapless passersby.
Sheila Parr is a Senior Designer at Greenleaf Book Group. She works to create book covers and layout designs that stand out in the market and attract readers. Her favorite things are fine point Sharpies and breakfast tacos.
Lisa Woods is a genius and Zen master. Her main responsibility at Greenleaf Book Group is epic battle against her nemesis, Darth HP LaserJet, using only a protective shield of Post-it notes and manuscript pages to protect her desk from Darth Jet. Between confrontations, she designs covers and interiors and lurks mysteriously in area bookstores.
Aaron Hierholzer is an editor. He edits things, mainly books, but also catalogs, blog posts, and other materials. He has a very real and very close relationship with Garner’s Modern American Usage—a fact of which he is not at ashamed.
Brian Viktorin is the CFO at Greenleaf Book Group, the person responsible for making sure our numbers make sense. He loves college football, live music, chips and queso, and the knowledge that he’ll soon be the recipient of the plaque on Jay’s wall. Brian’s dream has always been to play the guitar like Clapton, but he realizes the only instrument he’ll ever master is a calculator.
As Operations and HR Manager at Greenleaf Book Group, Alan Grimeshelps oversee the day-to-day activities of the company, assisting in evaluating current and proposed systems and procedures. He recommends changes when necessary and assists in the implementation of new processes.
Chris McRay is the Production Manager, overseeing projects as they progress through the editorial, design, and printing processes of book production. Previously our Print Buyer, Chris received his degree in International Relations but has since found his home to be in book production at Greenleaf Book Group.
Between you and me, Matt Donnelley is only working at Greenleaf Book Group so he knows what books are coming out before anyone else does. To keep everyone from learning this secret, Matt’s day job is to work closely with authors as a Operations/Production Associate, helping to oversee the process of turning their raw manuscripts into finely-crafted masterpieces of literature art. He still sits on the floor to read his comic books. It’s the obvious choice. So are striped overalls.
After spending four illustrious years in the music business, Katelynn Knutson decided helping authors get famous was just way more fun. As a Marketing Associate, Katelynn works closely with clients to help develop kick-ass marketing campaigns and stays up to date on emerging industry trends. When she’s not at Greenleaf, she can be found spending her life as an average twenty-something Austinite – reading, writing, drinking soy drinks, devouring b-fast tacos and making people laugh with (sometimes) inappropriate humor.
Katie Steigman is an Associate Consultant at Greenleaf, which entails reviewing lots of books, talking on the phone, cruising the bestseller lists on Amazon.com, and doing whatever the other consultants tell her to do. She is a Francophile, art history dork, and still has a serious sweet tooth.
Jenn McMurray is one of the Distribution Associates at Greenleaf. This means she can be found doing anything from sending out new submissions to publicity updates for all of our books to applying for new ISBNs. She loves hats, anything purple, and laughing. Some things never change.









