About the Studio

Barbara Williams

“No one will be surprised to hear that books have been a constant part of my life—from earliest days in Oklahoma, through years in north and south Louisiana, through coursework at Duke that brought me to North Carolina. Curiousity about books led to my first publishing job at Duke University Press. My ten years there ranged from apprenticeship to middle management, with computer systems and financial forecasting along the way. This was followed by four years as production manager for Menasha Ridge Press—an education in small business that helped immensely when we launched BW&A in 1988. Over 750 books later, I'm still learning, and still enjoying the never-ending challenge of making beautifully crafted books—on time and on budget. It remains an honor to be entrusted with so many special projects, and a pleasure to know colleagues across the years.”

Chris Crochètiere

“Am I giving away my age if I admit that I've been working in book publishing for more than twenty years? No? Okay, then . . . The publishing part of my resume includes textbook marketing and production at PWS-Kent in Boston, sales and marketing at Chelsea Green Publishing in Vermont, and now more than twelve years here at BW&A. My work here includes design, typesetting, and production, as well as managing the finances of the business. [Non publishing pursuits have included farming, fine cooking, and (ahem) advertising.] Outside of the studio, I enjoy volunteering for SEEDS (a community-gardening group), yoga, traveling, and growing (and cooking) a lot of our food at our historic bungalow in Duke Park. This year my husband, Frank Hyman, and I are looking forward to raising backyard hens, a right we helped to secure for the citizens of Durham in 2009.”

Julie Allred

“My “hats” at BW&A include typesetter, designer, project manager, and art coordinator. I am also our “techie” by default, tackling challenges like e-book conversions, color management, and Macintosh system administration. I take pleasure in our work, and especially enjoy art-intensive books.

“I worked in independent bookstores for six years before meeting Barbara Williams in 1995. I am lucky to have landed in the right place before I even graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.

“My hobbies include gardening, sprucing up our historic Oxford home, and spending time with my two children, husband, and dog.”

Jane Goodridge

Jane is part time office manager and girl Friday. When she is not at BW&A, she is at Preservation Durham, sorting books for the Friends of the Library booksales, gardening, or reading. And if you cannot reach her at BW&A, she is in Los Angeles visiting her most beloved first grandchild, Samson Andrew Reid.