The team
leah downing
Project director
Leah Downing is a two-time, #1 bestselling author. She graduated from UNLV with a BA in political science and a minor in dance. Leah specializes in story development and has a knack for getting authors who “...have an idea for a book...” to nail down the theme and arc of their story. Nothing excites her more than assisting someone in turning their abstract concept into a viable project. Leah’s been with 529 for just over a year, ghostwriting, editing, and managing projects. In that time, she’s developed a bigtime crush on the em dash—it’s so versatile! Her favorite books are The Queen’s Fool (actually, anything by Philippa Gregory), The Stand (unabridged) by Stephen King, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
In 2013, after moving from Hawaii back to the states, Danielle Bond Canfield, then obtaining a degree in Secondary Education English with a minor in History, was seeking employment in a related field—this is how she met Lisa Cerasoli. Danielle’s been creating beautiful interiors for print books and e-books for the company ever since. She's also Lisa's right-hand woman (or her "left-brain" as Lisa puts it), assisting in all things editing. Danielle’s good-humored, altruistic, and bookish nature, along with a natural quest for excellence, has made her a superb addition to 529 Books. Her three favorite books are: The Book Thief by Markus Zusack, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Danielle
Canfield
director of design & editor
Adrian Muraro
Editor
Adrian Muraro hails from one of the many small towns dotting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and now lives in the slightly less small Marquette. They attended the University of Michigan for two years before transferring and graduating from Northern Michigan University. Adrian has a degree in English with a concentration in writing, and minor in history, focusing on antiquity and premodern world trade. They maintain literacy in a range of other topics, including the sciences and music, especially heavy metal guitar. This range gives them both a curiosity and respect for clients’ goals. Adrian’s obsessiveness and keen sense of clarity and flow cover the other half of editing. Three of their favorite books are: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and Unsounded by Ashley Cope.
With two books published by the time she was twenty-five, Lauren
figured why not broaden her horizons. That’s when she linked up
with Lisa to learn the art of editing and design. Originally from
Iowa, she earned a BA in psychology that has surprisingly served
her well in her creative writing endeavors. Lauren has an insatiable
thirst for knowledge, a sharp wit, and a deep appreciation for the
written word. Three of her favorite books are: Cat’s Cradle by Kurt
Vonnegut, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and It Ends with
Us by Colleen Hoover.
Lauren
Michelle PRATT
senior Editor
Claire Moore
Cover Designer
Claire Moore began writing and illustrating her own story books before she was in kindergarten...and she hasn't really stopped. A creativity-driven individual with a penchant for typography and experimental methods, Claire is a successful freelance designer and artist, teaches art classes at several local non-profits, and is the youngest member of the Marquette Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. With a Graphic Design and Marketing degree from Northern Michigan University, Claire is currently the Lead Graphic Designer at a regional sign and design company. Her knowledge of and experience working in both fine art and graphic design fields provides Claire with a deep understanding of what not only reads beautifully, but is beautiful to read.
Rosabel Rosalind Kurth is an artist and illustrator based in Los Angeles and Chicago. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the painting and drawing department, her work focuses on the body through fantastical, quirky, and sometimes grotesque representations. She also has an extensive background in technical representation and excels at detail and hatchwork. All her work is hand-drawn, which gives her drawings an authentic and grounding quality. Because of her fine art background, she has an art historical foundation and a natural vision for what makes a powerful composition.
