Publisher, Creative Director

David is an award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator. He grew up on the East Coast as one of seven kids. He started early in publishing, producing his first book at age eighteen through a contest by Landmark Editions. Since then, he has worked as a graphic designer, instructor, author, illustrator, and creative director. Most recently, he was the publishing director for Familius where he helped the company become one of Publishers Weekly's 2018 Fastest Growing Independent Publishers. David was the General Management Outstanding Graduate of his BYU Marriott School class and was named a 2018 Publishers Weekly Star Watch Nominee. His favorite thing in life is being a husband and dad, because really, that's even better than donuts.

• Favorite book: Where do I begin?
• Favorite Crayola crayon: Macaroni and Cheese
• Can't live without: Butter 

Art Director

First and foremost, Stephanie is a mom to a wonderful boy named Tucker. For several years, she has worked as a preschool teacher and aid for kids with special needs. But Stephanie is also a warrior. In 2011, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). As a single mom, she worked her way through school and graduated from Fresno State with a degree in child development. Stephanie is also the author of over a dozen books for kids, including a bestselling regional board book series. In her free time, she loves to cycle, garden, decorate, and count her son's freckles.

• Outfit of choice: Sweats
• Can't live without: Boston Baked Beans 
• Would most love to meet: Sasquatch

Madden Champ

Tucker loves reading, football, and playing his favorite video game: Madden. He also has keen opinions on which illustrators Bushel & Peck uses for its books. 

• Favorite sport: Football
• Favorite pastime: Football
• Can't live without: Football

Editorial Director & Head of Strategic Alliances

Ryan is the kid who developed lousy eyesight thanks to reading by flashlight under the covers way too late at night. After earning a Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing at Florida State University, Ryan went on to teach writing at several colleges and universities. These days, Ryan runs the Creative Writing major at Ringling College of Art and Design in addition to working as The Picture Book Doctor, a keynote conference speaker, a ghostwriter, and—time permitting!—a writer of their own books. After watching David’s fine work with Familius and then Bushel & Peck, Ryan teamed up with him in 2022 because they share a passion for making beautiful kidlit books that matter. Ryan’s favorite thing is being a dad to two terrific kids—even if they sometimes choose video games over Ryan’s books. 

• Favorite book: The Great Gatsby
• Organizes books: Autobiographically
• Can't live without: Root beer
• Favorite sports team: Chicago Bears

Director of Sales and Marketing

Managing Editor

Dean Burrell has been making books for more than 30 years, specializing in subjects ranging from lifestyle and self-help to art and design to memoir and fiction to food and craft. He honed his editorial skills by learning from the best, first at Harper San Francisco and then at Chronicle Books. He enjoys working with all team members, liaising between authors and clients, editors, designers, and print buyers. Above all, he adheres to a publishing philosophy that says every project begins with a vision. It’s this vision, clearly and succinctly defined, that drives each project to success. Dean was born in a small town in Upstate New York—the birthplace of Jell-O—and spent quality time in New Hampshire while attending college. After the startling realization that snowstorms are best enjoyed somewhere else, Dean fled the cold winters and settled in Northern California.

Fulfillment and Production Manager

Publishing Operations Manager

Victoria Van Cleave is a children’s author, literacy expert, and lifelong champion of reading. She began her career as an elementary teacher, spending many rewarding years in classrooms across the country helping students unlock the magic of words. With a Master of Science in Reading Education from The Florida State University, she went on to mentor future educators at The George Washington University and other institutions, sharing her passion for literacy and learning. Today, Victoria brings her expertise to Bushel & Peck, where she works closely with authors throughout the publishing process and creates educational content that helps young readers connect meaningfully with our books. When she’s not immersed in the world of storytelling, she loves traveling with her family in search of quirky museums, hidden thrift shops, and used book stores.

• Favorite book from childhood:The Monster at the End of This Book
• Can’t live without: Music
• Favorite snack: Popcorn

Marketing Assistant

Editorial Assistant

In addition to her work as an editor, Carol Lynch Williams is an author of young adult and middle grade novels. She is also the conference director for Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers (WIFYR) and is a professor of creative writing at Brigham Young University (BYU). She graduated in 2008 from Vermont College of Fine Arts with a degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Editorial Assistant

Glenn came to writing and editing after a career in the theatre, including multiple tours of the U.S. with a traveling Shakespeare troupe. He still reads plays and poems for fun. He teaches Creative Writing at Ringling College of Art and Design, while ghostwriting and script coaching on the side. He shares his home with a neurotic dog, a malevolent cat, and a few very large bonsai trees.