Meet The Team
Kim Childress, Founder, Childress Ink ~ Ink-a-Dink
Author ~ Editor ~ Reviewer ~ Speaker
"The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things..."
~ Through the Looking-Glass, by Lewis Caroll
Thirty years in publishing, Kim Childress is an award-winning editor, author, speaker, and reviewer who built her career while raising of personal focus group of four children. More.
Diana Vilic, Childress Ink Executive Literary Agent,
Product Developer, Marketing & PR Specialist
Author ~ Editor ~ Poet
Coming from an advertising and literary background, Diana not only represents our authors but helps guide them closer to their personal and professional goals. Diana brings nearly ten-years of agency experience. She is currently completing her BS in Behavioral Science, and pursuing interior design--but that is another story. Follow Diana on her personal website, Instagram, YouTube, Goodreads, Twitter, LinkedIn, Dee&Co.
Robert E. Carter, Childress Ink Executive Producer
Product Developer, Ink-a-Dink Bookstore Manager
Journalist ~ Author ~ Poet ~ Radio DJ ~ Voice Actor
"I am not Prince hamlet, nor was meant to be." -T.S. Eliot
~The Love Song of J. Alfred Proofrock by T.S. Eliot
More than 40 years in media production, including internet, radio & TV, interviewing celebrities over the years including Timothy Hutton and Robin Williams. Lover of books, music, reporting, and an explorer of new technologies.
Kelly Anne White, Childress Ink Co-Founder
Literary Agent, Product Developer
Author ~ Artist ~ Editor
More than 30 years in publishing, author and editor of hundreds of books for children and adults, former executive editor and music reviewer for Girls' Life magazine, learn more at KellyAnneWhite.com.
Kourtney Schmiedeke
Reviewer, Instagram Influencer, Ink-a-Dink Bookstore
Kourtney is a freelance editor and founder of Heartfelt Editorial Agency. She is an avid reader and has loved to read ever since she was a little girl. 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. Previously she was editorial intern at Childress Ink, now sharing the book love and contributing reviews. Kourtney loves helping writers and can find a good typo. More at Heartfelt Editorial Services LLC, Insta, Twitter.
Jacque Alberta
Bookseller, Ink-a-Dink Children's Bookstore
Editor in publishing industry over 20 years, currently senior editor for HarperCollins (Zondervan), with an extensive knowledge of the children's book industry, with a special love for YA. Follow Jacque on LinkedIn.
Laurel Childress
Bookseller and Reviewer, Ink-a-Dink
Current fave book: The Last Alchemist
Jared Salomon
Childress Ink Editorial Intern
"Not only these things, but now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." ~ Apostle Paul
Jared says of himself that "probably the most important thing to know about me is that I am a Christian". Currently he is a senior at Taylor University, a writer and tennis player, with a Professional Writing major. Jared puts faith and trust in the gospel message of Jesus Christ, and that faith and trust influences everything he writes. He journals and writes stories, and also enjoys editing (content editing and copy editing). He has written for Christianity.com, Bible Study Tools, Chronicle-Tribune, Aboite Independent and Evangelical Church Library Association. LinkedIn.
Laura Standel
Reviewer and Contributor
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. Previously: Childress Ink Associate Product Developer, Influencer; Ink-a-Dink Bookstore, Bookseller, Reviewer, Instagram; Childress Ink Intern
Follow Laura and her bookish reviews: YouTube, Insta, TikTok, GoodReads, Twitter.
Sarah Lozier
Childress Ink Editorial Intern
Current fave book: The School for Good and Evil
Previous Interns
And to all those who came before ...
Ellie Tiemens
Childress Ink Editorial Intern, Spring Semester 2022
Writer, Reader, Editor. Editorial Assistant at ATP Learning Solutions, booklover, Taylor University 2022 Graduate, BA Liberal Arts, Professional Publishing emphasis.
Elizabeth Molitar
Childress Ink Editorial Intern, Spring 2022
"Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around." -Stephen King
Elizabeth Molitor’s passion lies in crafting stories that balance the reality of darkness with the ultimate triumph of the Light. Once she completes her BA in Professional Writing at Taylor University, she aspires to take her new skills into the publishing world as an author and editor. She has written for Focus on the Family’s Brio magazine, Taylor’s annual literary journal known as Parnassus, and the Evangelical Church Library Association. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys walks in the woods, DIY projects, and baking.
Naba Yasir
Intern, Graphic Design and Illustration, Spring 2022
“Find things beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful.”
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. YouTube, Insta.
Abigail Ross
Childress Ink Editorial Intern, Influencer, Reviewer, 2019-2023
"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 Insta.
Internship Opportunities
