Meet The Team
Kim Childress
Founder & Lead Product Developer
Childress Ink ~ Ink-a-Dink
Growing up in the literary world allows Kim to better serve her clients in ways most agents can't. Because of her extensive career of over 30 years in publishing and editorial work, Kim is able to leverage her connections and skills to help build and grow our client's personal brands. Instead of focusing on one book project, Kim envisions the future of all our clients and guides them into their successful careers. As a writer herself, she is a prolific editor and deeply relates to her authors in their creative journeys. Follow Kim on GoodReads, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Eventbrite, YouTube, and on all your favorite social media platforms in the universe!
Diana Vilic
Chief of Marketing and Executive Product Developer
Coming from an advertising and literary background, Diana uses her skills to help our clients build long-term personal and literary brands. Leveraging inbound, growth, guerilla, and traditional public relations, Diana not only represents our authors but helps guide them closer to their personal and professional goals.
Laura Standel
Associate Product Developer, Bookstore Buyer
A bookwyrm who will cuddle up with any good fiction novel, from fantasy to thriller to historical fiction to contemporary, currently studying literary translation between English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian. As our Director of Influencer Marketing, Laura works closely with clients to help distribute their books to reviewers and outlets. An avid booklover herself, Laura uses her creativity to ensure that our client's brands are represented while facilitating strong relationships with vendors, reviewers, and influencers.Follow Laura and her bookish reviews:
Robert E. Carter
Producer, Product Developer, Bookstore Manager
More than 40 years in media production, including internet, radio, and TV, interviewing celebrities over the years including Timothy Hutton and Robin Williams. Lover of books, music, reporting, and an explorer of new technologies.
Kourtney Schmiedeke
Intern
Kourtney is a full time student pursuing her bachelors degree in advertising and marketing communications, graduating May of 2022 from Webster University.
She is a avid reader and has loved to read ever since she was a little girl, and growing up she was often found with her nose In a book. She was a regular visitor at the library, devouring knowledge and fiction, and she was loved by her librarians! She is a poet, dreamer, and a romantic. She loves to help others and can find a good typo.Insta, Twitter
Naba Yasir
Intern
Naba is an artist and full time student pursuing her bachelors degree graphic design and illustration at Webster University, graduating May of 2024. She is an honored Suggs Scholarship recipient, and founder and president of local Muslim Youth League.
“Find things beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful.”
Abigail Ross
Intern
"Wicked people never have time for reading. It’s one of the reasons for their wickedness.” -Lemony Snicket "
Full-time student pursuing a bachelors degree in graphic design and illustration from Grand Rapids Community College, graduating May of 2026, Abby loves all things children's books, and she reviews books for Childress Ink Book Reviews and Ink-a-Dink while pursuing her dream to become an illustrator and author. She is a published illustrator, and you can also find her latest reviews on Instagram.
