ABOUT MISSION POINT PRESS
Our Story.
Mission Point Press was founded in June 2015 when three book-publishing and journalism veterans—Heather Lee Shaw, Anne Stanton, and Doug Weaver—decided to pool their expertise and energy to create an author-focused hybrid publishing company.
The company, named for the iconic Mission Point lighthouse at the northern tip of the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan, had one mission in mind: to create a haven for authors seeking honest, high-quality help in the fast-moving and ever-changing self-publishing landscape.
That landscape was riddled with false promises, shoddy workmanship, and get-rich schemes that typically put the author last. In contrast, the Mission Point Press partners sought to provide affordable editing, design, production, and marketing services with a highly personal touch and quality that matches industry standards.
Today, that legacy continues as we offer aspiring and veteran authors more than one hundred years of combined experience in writing, design, and publishing. As a result, Mission Point Press has published well over five hundred book titles and has emerged as a leading book publisher in Michigan and the Midwest.
For authors seeking a traditional route to publishing, we offer in-depth editing services to polish manuscripts for agency review. For self-published authors, we provide the same level of service while ensuring they retain all financial proceeds from the sale of their books.
For all authors, we promise a comprehensive, personal touch and a standard of work that makes Mission Point Press’s imprint a signature of pride.
Mission Point Lighthouse sits on the very edge of Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan
Executive Team
Our executive team is dedicated to building strong connections with authors and offering expert guidance. With a wealth of experience, they ensure that Mission Point Press remains a premier place for publishing your book. Their commitment and expertise create an environment where your vision can truly come to life.
Heather Lee Shaw
Managing Partner
Heather has a rich background in writing, editing, and design, starting at the University of Michigan, where she and friends printed poems in their basement. In 1980, she launched a weekly culture and science magazine, Pomba Gira, in Mexico, and edited cultural books for government programs. Back in Traverse City, she taught creative writing at Interlochen Center for the Arts and worked with local author Doug Stanton on his NYT bestsellers. Before co-founding Mission Point Press, Heather was Managing Editor of Spirituality & Health magazine, earning awards for editorial excellence. She also served as Editor in Chief for ForeWord magazine and Spirituality & Health Books. Today, she continues her design and production work at Mission Point Press and was elected as a commissioner for Traverse City in 2023.
Anne Stanton
Managing Partner
Anne, an award-winning journalist, has contributed to New York Times bestsellers and acclaimed memoirs. Starting her career with a Detroit Press Club-winning piece on Cambodian refugees, Anne earned her MA in Journalism from the University of Michigan in 1988. She’s covered a wide range of issues, from nuns accused of abuse to rural murder cases, and has since expanded into ghostwriting and editing. Anne co-authored Publish to Win: Smart Strategies to Sell More Books with indie publishing expert Jerrold Jenkins. Anne previously worked as an investigative reporter for daily and weekly news organizations, writing award-winning stories of human drama and resilience. Anne Stanton is one of the co-founders of the National Writers Series and currently serves as its executive director.
Doug Weaver
Managing Partner
Doug, a seasoned journalist and book publisher, has produced over 400 titles on diverse topics, from history to quilting. With an MBA from Rockhurst University and a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois, Doug has held key editorial roles at the Springfield Journal-Register, Corporate Report Wisconsin, and The Kansas City Star. He later became the publisher of Kansas City Star Books, overseeing three imprints, including one of the largest quilt-book publishers in the U.S. At Mission Point Press, Doug focuses on business strategy and cost management for book projects.
Jen Wahi
President & CEO
Jen brings over twenty five years of publishing experience to the table, having held positions such as Director of Creative Services at Cherry Lake Publishing Group and Sleeping Bear Press, as well as Senior Art Director at Cengage Learning, where her award-winning designs significantly contributed to the company's success. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design and Advertising from Eastern Michigan University, along with postgraduate studies at the College for Creative Studies. Jen also founded a thriving book design and marketing business. Before her publishing career, she played a key role in marketing and sales, helping to land national accounts for Cramer-Krasselt, one of the largest independent agencies in the country. Jen resides in the Detroit area and when she’s not working, she enjoys time at her family’s cottage on Torch Lake.
Marian Hinton
Chief Operations & Strategy Officer
With over twenty five years in strategic sales, marketing, and consulting roles with leading educational technology publishers/providers including Cengage and MUZZY BBC, Marian has served some of the world’s largest educational consortia across multiple languages, media, and research disciplines. Her experience spans six continents and partnerships with domestic/international libraries, universities, districts, schools, governments, and NGOs. Marian earned her Bachelor of Arts in European Studies at the University of Michigan and later returned to the university to pursue her master’s degree at the School of Information, joining the groundbreaking How Libraries and Libraries Help (HLLP) project. A passionate advocate for libraries and literacy worldwide, Marian enjoys traveling with her husband, son, and daughter, and exploring the mesmerizing beauty and history of greater Detroit.
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Leslie Marshall
Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
Leslie Marshall is the Marketing Advisor and CMO for Mission Point Press, with over twenty five years of award-winning experience in marketing, media, and publishing. She also serves as Chief Marketing Officer for the Mesmerise Group, leading global marketing strategies to elevate its presence in healthcare, aviation, and financial services.
Previously, Leslie spent sixteen years at Morningstar, where she transformed the Morningstar Investment Conference into a premier financial services event, earning multiple Cvent Excellence Awards. She launched Morningstar’s global social media presence and embraced AR/VR technologies to enhance investor education. Leslie also served as Publisher of Morningstar Magazine, delivering top-tier research to investment professionals. Leslie's publishing experience includes senior marketing and editorial roles at Kaplan Publishing, Dearborn Trade Publishing, Borders (Corporate Office), and Gale Research (now Cengage).
As Past President of AMA Chicago, Leslie guided the chapter to win six AMA Chapter Excellence Awards and a prestigious Platinum Continuing Excellence Award. Passionate about storytelling and technology, she brings innovative solutions to every endeavor.
Meet Our Team
Our team is comprised of exceptional professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, all dedicated to supporting authors on a successful publishing path.
Design Team
Our talented book design team transforms your vision into reality, crafting eye-catching covers and layouts that captivate readers and elevate the overall reading experience. From photography to illustrations, we have you covered.
Jeff Bane
Creative Director,
Picture Books
Jeff resides in Rescue, California, where he specializes in creative direction for picture books. With over twenty years of experience designing and illustrating a wide range of projects, from coffee table books to children’s stories, Jeff skillfully storyboards each project, seamlessly integrating text, illustrations, and photographs from the outset. His diverse illustration styles and award-winning designs have left a significant mark on the industry, ensuring that each book not only tells a captivating story but also engages readers visually. As the owner of a high-end studio for many years, Jeff has developed brand identities for hundreds of corporations, further showcasing his expertise in visual storytelling. In addition to producing over two hundred children’s books, he enjoys kayaking on the American River and spending time at his cabin in Lake Tahoe.
Sarah Meiers
Senior Book Designer
With over twenty years of experience in print and digital design, Sarah Meiers blends creativity with strategic insight to craft compelling visual storytelling moments. Based in Lawrence, Kansas, her work spans books, websites, and nonprofit design, where she fuels her passion for supporting her alma mater, the University of Kansas.
When she's not designing for work, Sarah enjoys crafting for fun—whether quilting, crocheting, or exploring other textile arts. She’s also often found with her nose in a book or watching a movie in a pile of children and cats.
Kelly Ludwig
Senior Book Designer
Kelly, a seasoned creative director and former assistant professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, has over two decades of experience in design and marketing. She launched Ludwig Design, an agency with a diverse clientele, and has earned numerous awards for her work in design and photography. Kelly has authored several travel apps and books, with her photography showcased in museums worldwide and featured in an upcoming Ken Burns documentary.
Deirdre Wait
Senior Book Designer
Deirdre Wait has been a graphic designer for more than thirty years. With a BA in Marketing from Stonehill College, she got her start with a large newspaper group in Massachusetts, eventually becoming a senior designer. She also worked in the editorial department as a paginator. That job led to a position with a small independent publisher as a book paginator. In 2002, a larger publisher hired Deirdre as a cover designer, and her main focus has been designing and promoting books ever since. In 2018, she and her husband “went all in” with longtime colleague Eddie Vincent and his wife Cynthia to build Encircle Publications into an independent traditional publishing house with more than two hundred fiction titles on the market. She and her husband Christopher, aka High Pines Creative, have designed thousands of covers, many for New York Times bestselling authors. When Deirdre isn’t busy with books, she enjoys time with Chris on their tiny Colorado ranch with their barn full of animals.
Editorial Team
With expert editorial support, including ghostwriting, coaching, evaluations, developmental editing, copy editing, proofing, and more, you can trust that you’re in good hands with these professionals.
Tanya Muzumdar
Editorial Director
Tanya Muzumdar has over twenty years of experience as an editor and writer, and taught college English for five years. Formerly a freelance journalist and the senior editor of Dunes Review, Tanya has also been a writer-in-residence at Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts. Her poems have appeared in Cherry Tree, Cimarron Review, Prairie Schooner, and elsewhere. Tanya evaluates and edits novels, short stories, poetry, memoirs, essays, and other nonfiction, with over fifty manuscripts reviewed for Mission Point Press. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Pacific University and a BA from the University of Michigan.
Hart Cauchy
Senior Copy Editor & Proofreader
Hart Cauchy began his career in the publishing industry in his early twenties, taking on proofreading for Mission Point Press as a second job. Seven years later, after contributing to over a hundred and forty books and ghostwriting a successful nonfiction book with over five hundred positive reviews, he has transitioned into being a full-time editor. Hart now lives abroad in Mexico and works on award-winning titles across all genres, including both fiction and non-fiction.
Scott Couturier
Senior Developmental Editor & Copy Editor
Scott, a poet and writer of fantasy and science fiction, lives in Traverse City. A 2008 Knox College graduate and founding editor of Knox Quiver, his work appears in The Audient Void, Weirdbook, and Spectral Realms. He’s currently writing the fourth volume of his dark fantasy quintet, The Magistricide.
Ed Hoogterp
Developmental Editor
Ed is a former newspaper writer and editor with thirty years of experience. He is the author of West Michigan Almanac and has written for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ed holds a Political Science degree from Grand Valley State University and manages a small apple orchard while serving as Benzie County drain commissioner and participating in community boards.
Tom McCormally
Developmental Editor
Tom enjoys helping authors craft compelling stories that captivate readers. With over fifteen years of experience in journalism and two decades in public relations for children's hospitals, Tom has authored books and gained a deep appreciation for collaboration in the publishing process. Based in Kansas City, Tom also mentors writers and editors, while indulging in his passions for writing, music, and coffee.
Darlene Short
Senior Copy Editor & Proofreader
After starting her career as a typographer, Darlene has worked as a proofreader and copy editor for various agencies and corporations, most recently with the National Board of Medical Examiners. She freelances now through her company, Proof Plus LLC. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Darlene lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where she enjoys hiking, photography, spending time with her two adult sons, and learning something new every day.
Cynthia Brackett-Vincent
Copy Editor
Cynthia brings thirty years of editing experience to her work. She founded and edited a poetry journal for twenty-five years and spent nearly a decade doing line and copyediting for an independent publisher. In addition to her editorial roles, she has a long history of freelance editing. Cynthia holds a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maine at Farmington and is a Pushcart Prize nominee, with her essays and poetry published both in the U.S. and internationally. Her co-edited book, Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing & Teaching, was recognized by Poets & Writers magazine as one of the “100 Best Books for Writers.” In 2023, she published a children's book titled I Can Punctuate. Cynthia also serves as treasurer for the Haiku Society of America and facilitates annual writing retreats in the Adirondacks.
Marketing and Publicity Team
Our dedicated marketing team specializes in developing and implementing strategies to enhance your book's visibility. They connect you with readers through engaging campaigns, events, and dynamic social media outreach, ensuring your work reaches the right audience.
Julie Hazlett
Marketing Director
Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Marketing from Michigan State University and has completed post-bachelor’s coursework in Education at Eastern Michigan University. For twenty five years, she has dedicated herself to educating and tutoring children while raising her three kids. After years of helping and refining others' writing skills, she launched her proofreading business over a decade ago, specializing in publishing, marketing projects, student essays, research papers, college applications, and resumes. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her children and pets, exploring the outdoors, reading, and researching family genealogy.
Katryna Deligiannis
Publicity & Social Media Director
Katryna resides in Toronto, Canada, where she brings over seven years of experience as a seasoned social media manager. With a passion for creating dynamic content and fostering online communities, she specializes in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences across various platforms. As the face behind the scenes, Katryna expertly represents individuals and brands on social media, ensuring their voices are heard and their stories are shared.
When she's not busy optimizing engagement strategies, she enjoys discovering the hidden gems of her city, and exploring new cafes and cultural spots that inspire her creativity.
Martha Scherf-Pompa
Marketing Copy Editor
Martha has spent most of her career in marketing and creative services, starting with nearly twenty years at a PR/marketing firm in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. She led accounts in higher education, hospitality, retail, nonprofits, and more before moving to corporate roles as the director of creative services for two academic publishing companies. Her love of writing was inspired by her father, who wrote several books on their family history, and gifted her 20,000 Words as a teen—though she really wanted a puppy.
Terese DiMercurio
Graphic & Web Designer
With nearly a decade of experience, Terese DiMercurio is a designer passionate about creating authentic, impactful work. Influenced by a lifelong love of art and culture, she founded Mercury House Graphic Design to help clients express their true selves through clear, beautiful design. Inspired by the transformative symbolism of the snake, Terese brings vibrancy and individuality to every project, guided by the principles of communication, humanity, and passion.
Dawn Fashho
Marketing & Social Media Specialist
Dawn focuses on developing and implementing effective online marketing strategies that enhance brand visibility and engagement. Dawn connects with audiences through creative content, analytics, and targeted campaigns, ensuring that every post resonates and drives meaningful interactions. She efficiently schedules and organizes author content, exciting news, and more. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys aurora chasing throughout Michigan and photography. Dawn is an active member of the cat rescue community and currently serves as president of a rescue, in addition to her responsibilities as an admin for pet networking groups, while always maintaining a positive and helpful approach in her endeavors.
Production Team
Our team leaders are your dedicated project managers, guiding you through every stage of production. They ensure everything is organized and efficient. With a focus on communication, they keep you informed about key decisions and timelines, ensuring your project stays on track.
Zinzi Robles
Production Director
Zinzi graduated as a General Practitioner from the University of Monterrey in Nuevo León, Mexico, in 2016. Five years later, she moved to Austin, TX, with her husband and transitioned into the world of publishing. Since then, she has made a significant impact in the industry, including ghostwriting a book that is currently topping its genre charts.
As the production director at Mission Point Press, Zinzi manages the entire publishing schedule and leverages her expertise in project management to guide team leaders effectively. Her instrumental role encompasses all aspects of backend management, ensuring that every detail of the publishing process is executed seamlessly.
Judith Caseley
Team Lead &
Developmental Editor,
Children's Books
Judith has written and illustrated over forty books for children, middle readers, and young adults with publishers including Harper Collins, Farrar Straus & Giroux, Alfred A. Knopf, Greenwillow, and Frances Foster Books. The mosaics she created for her latest book, Z is for Zebra: a Mosaic Menagerie, were on view at the Toledo Zoo for a year. Judith lives in New York, continues to write and make art, and visits her grandchildren in Brooklyn every week.
Eddie Vincent
Team Lead
Eddie has been immersed in the publishing world since his teenage years. He began as a production assistant for a weekly shopper on Cape Cod, later serving as production manager for Five Star Press and Thorndike Press in Massachusetts and Maine. As the owner of his own design firm, ENC Graphic Services, and independent press, Encircle Publications, Eddie brings a wealth of knowledge to his work in graphic design and management. He has extensive experience across all aspects of publishing, from book cover design and formatting to printing and publishing platforms. As a former president of an independent publishing networking non-profit, Eddie has been a prominent figure at numerous trade shows, including the Boston Book Festival, and has helped many authors successfully self-publish their works.
Misha Neidorfler
Team Lead
Misha holds bachelor’s degrees in interior design from Mt. Mary College and in sociology from Central Michigan University. With over a decade in the architecture and design industry and fourteen years of owning and operating a boutique bakery and coffee shop, she excels in project management, time optimization, personnel coordination, and creative problem-solving. A dedicated reader and aspiring copy editor, Misha resides in Traverse City with her husband, an architect and residential contractor. They have two children: one in college majoring in film and another in high school, planning to study communications and photography. Misha enjoys hiking, camping, and engaging conversations.
Todd Fettig
Team Lead
Todd, a former newspaper editor and regional director for Advance Local’s Print Lab, now focuses on editing and project management. He previously led the National Freedom of Information Coalition and holds degrees from Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Cooley Law School. An active bicyclist and West Michigan volunteer, he’s married with two adult children.