A Novel Approach....

After much conceptual development and creative teamwork with Stitch Design Co., I'm happy to reveal the new and improved indie publisher Chapel Hill Press! Everything about this client project was custom: from brand architecture, photography with Olivia Rae James, styling and composition, website design, and social media presence to illustrative ink wells and animated feather quills!

As full-service, book-makers, Chapel Hill Press combines brilliant leadership, true southern hospitality and super (book) smarts to make one fine publishing house. True to its brand tenets, thoughtfulness, attention to detail and good old-fashioned communication sets Chapel Hill Press apart from the shapeless sameness of other publishing mills...and it shows.

Edwina Woodbury, former CFO of AVON, lends not only personal touch but business acumen to the business of book conception and construction. She believes no story should be left unturned, and welcomes emerging authors of all kinds to embrace their passions and share their experiences with others. She pushes humanity forward.

I couldn't be more proud of this novel work...Soulful and beautiful, that's why print matters.

 [ chapelhillpress.com ]

Booking it! "Before" Rebranding (Can't wait to develop the "After"..)

I've recently begun working with Chapel Hill Press, located in the home town of my alma mater of the University of North Carolina. I am thrilled!

This "Before" shot will set the stage for what's about to come...transformation.

Over the next nine months, I will be strategizing and bringing life a new brand narrative for this fantastic publishing house that includes a refreshed brand identity, custom photography, rich stationery suite, robust e-commerce website and new social media presence. I have hired the talented ladies at Stitch Design Co. in Charleston as my design team. Together, we will weave a brand new story....

Chapel Hill Press is owned and led by Edwina Woodbury, the former EVP CFO of Avon. Not only is Ms. Woodbury incredibly accomplished and visionary, she is an entrepreneur with heart. She believes in the power of people's personal stories -- whether fiction, non-fiction, poetry, biography, memoir, hobby -- and is enabling them to be read.

Like a gripping novel, I bet you can't wait to find out what happens in the next chapter of Chapel Hill Press...! 

Check back this autumn for the big reveal. 

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I'm excited to announce that The Paper Chronicles has launched!

When Sarah Schwartz, the founding editor of Stationery Trends -- an award-winning trade quarterly magazine devoted to all things paper -- contacted me to help her conceptualize and name her bubbling blog of an idea, I jumped at the chance.

Not only has Sarah spent the bulk of her career traveling to trade shows around the world to spot emerging trends, she is a frequent industry speaker who has been quoted extensively in the media. (She also worked at HarperCollins; publishing is in her blood.)

Since the mission of the blog was to keep letter-writing, card-sending and invitation-using alive, we thought it was important to -- well -- chronicle all things stationery and of good design, daily. The logo was designed in collaboration with Jason Arbuckle of the fabulous paper line J. Falkner.

Including a Sourcebook was next in order to include a wide range of industry resources. After all, good words need to be spread! 

Learn more here: thepaperchronicles.com 

Crafting it for Brit

This spring I had a great time working with Brit Morin over at Brit + Co., headquartered in San Francisco, on an integrated branding and multi-pronged marketing initiative with Web series.

( I even picked up a few innovative tips and tricks for styling too! True to her Texan roots, her "@Brit" LED cowboy hat , complete with her Twitter handle, for SXSW is one of my all time fave ideas!) 

A rising star, Brit is craftily and happily blazing trails. Right out of the gate, she was hailed the "digital" Martha Stewart of today's curious "Gen Why" world. Tech-savvy and stylish, Brit is big on the maker movement, community collaboration and social sharing. She believes in making, doing and creatively living (she walks the talk, folks!) and feels that being inclusive - rather than exclusive - sets her apart from, ahem, others in the DIY realm. Plus, Brit + Co. projects aren't overly complicated and are meant to add a colorful boost or time-saving perk to daily life. See for yourself here.

Super bubbly and down to earth, it's no wonder that she is a frequent guest contributor on The Today Show. She is as friendly in real life as you see her on TV.

What's a girl like me who loves DIY of all kinds to do? Ideate, create and collaborate! In partnership with Kristin Brewer of Village Theorem, I co-crafted an integrated editorial, marketing and social initiative. Multi-faceted, our thinking included a cornerstone Web series, supplemental editorial content, community-centered events + e-commerce...Yep, there will be lots 'o fun stuff to bring to life! 

Not to mention, some advertiser love. With companies clamoring for newness, select partnerships and branded entertainment opportunities, I am certain this bang up and buttoned up concept will be quite a hit! So stay tuned....

"Brit" is destined to become a household name just like her, um, NYC-based predecessor. 

Yep, I'm sure of  it.

Ready to Betty!

Celebrity gossip. Fashion. Beauty. Sex....

Who can resist?

Not me.

You can now find me editorial, creative and brand consulting at BettyConfidential.com (yep, I get paid to follow the tabloids + so much more!)

Get your Betty on! More here.

(To read more about my professional experience, click here.)