ABOUT AWAKEN VILLAGE
OUR TEAM
OUR BELIEFS
OUR VISION
From first words to publication and beyond, we are here to support you.
At Awaken Village Press, we believe stories awaken souls. Every voice matters. Every story has the power to heal, transform, and ripple through the collective. We walk with you—from the first word to publication and beyond—not as gatekeepers, but as companions. We honor the sacredness of your message and the wholeness of your becoming.
We stand for empowerment, authenticity, and radical responsibility. We hold space for discomfort, difference, and deep truth. We believe the journey of storytelling is as vital as the story itself. We are spiritually grounded and values-driven. We don’t just publish books—we nurture revelations and release them into the world with love.
We are a village. A sanctuary for creators. A home for those who remember who they are and are ready to express it.
We are here to awaken the planet, one story, one soul, one book at a time.
Awakening the planet, one book at a time
How we work
At Awaken Village Press, we don’t operate like a traditional publishing house—and that’s intentional. We are a living, breathing ecosystem, not a machine. Our work is relational, intuitive, creative, and collaborative. We walk with our authors and each other with care, integrity, and reverence for the journey.
We Work Like Nature
We follow natural rhythms, not artificial timelines. While we honor structure, we do not force outcomes. We trust in the organic unfolding of the creative process and create space for emergence. When things feel fast, we invite breath. When they feel slow, we listen for what wants to be revealed.
We Are a Village, Not a Hierarchy
We honor the wisdom in every voice. We lead with love and meet one another in partnership rather than power-over dynamics. We do not operate from ego or control, but from mutual trust and respect. Everyone has a role, and every role matters.
We Move at the Speed of Trust
Our foundation is trust—trust in ourselves, each other, and the process. We pause when needed. We ask questions before assuming. We honor clear communication and emotional honesty. We take responsibility for our energy and presence, and we create space for others to do the same.
We Serve the Work (Not Ourselves)
We are in service to something greater than ourselves: the message, the soul of the book, the impact it’s meant to have. We orient not around perfection or performance, but around alignment and truth. Our decisions are made from a place of inner clarity, not external pressure.
We Embrace Wholeness
Discomfort is not a problem—it’s part of the creative alchemy. We do not bypass. We welcome grief, uncertainty, joy, frustration, awe. All of you is welcome here, and we extend that welcome to our clients, our stories, and our shared unfolding.
We Are Stewards, Not Owners
We do not own our clients’ work. We hold it. We care for it. We support its full expression. We see ourselves as guardians and midwives—here to help the truth of the message come through with clarity, beauty, and integrity.
We Live Our Values
Integrity, authenticity, love, and transparency are not buzzwords. They are our roots. They show up in our conversations, our emails, our timelines, and our choices. If something doesn’t feel right, we pause. If something feels misaligned, we name it. We take accountability and move forward with care.
Amanda Johnson
Book Doula & Vision Steward
Amanda serves as a midwife of stories, walking with authors through the tender, transformative process of bringing their truth to light. She holds space with compassion and clarity, honoring the journey as much as the destination.
Her own path as an author revealed that stories are not birthed alone—they need community, care, and courage. From that knowing, Awaken Village Press was born: a living ecosystem devoted to awakening the planet, one book at a time.
As the Sun of the Village, Amanda tends the vision that warms and nourishes every part of the system. She shines light on what is possible, holding the spark of inspiration that guides the whole toward its greater becoming.
Elizabeth Gudrais
Editor & Program Facilitator
A professional writer and editor with more than a decade in journalism experience, including magazines and newspapers. Elizabeth's specialties include science/medical reporting and long-form narrative.
A meticulous editor with a solid grasp of literary analysis, Elizabeth nevertheless connects with the heart of each story she encounters. The transformative power of stories is the reason she chose to pursue a career in writing and editing. Elizabeth serves our authors as an editor, writing program facilitator, and workshop coordinator.
Grace Adamarie
Grace brings a poet’s ear and an editor’s precision to the Village. With degrees from UCLA and years of international experience writing and editing for publications such as The Moscow Times, she offers both versatility and depth of perspective. A multilingual lover of words, she gently hones each manuscript so the author’s voice shines through with clarity and beauty.
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As a Honeybee of Language, Grace moves with care from flower to flower, helping stories blossom into their fullest expression. She is honored to serve this Village and to support authors in finding and fine-tuning their voices.
Language & Words Steward
Andrea Gibb
Design Steward
Andrea is a graphic designer, artist, and writer based in British Columbia who knows in her heart the power of stories. As both a designer and a self-published author, she guides writers through the transformation of their manuscripts into beautiful, professional books. With an eye for detail and a love of artistry, she creates covers and interiors that reflect the soul of each message.
As a Honeybee of Design, Andrea helps authors cross the threshold from draft to book, ensuring their stories are carried into the world with integrity, beauty, and grace.
Marianne Johnson
Editorial Steward
Mer is the quiet, steady Earth of the Village, grounding our editorial process with precision and care. After more than thirty-five years of supporting others in administrative roles, she now lends her keen eye for detail and her mastery of grammar and punctuation to our publications.
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Her presence ensures every manuscript is rooted in clarity and correctness. As Amanda’s mother and one of the Village’s earliest supporters, Mer embodies the intergenerational spirit of Awaken Village Press: tending the soil so every book can thrive.
Kirsten Stiegler
Visibility Steward
Kirsten helps authors share their messages with the world. Drawing from her background in real estate, education, and now book marketing, she supports every launch with strategy, creativity, and heart—whether through landing pages, ARC teams, social-media campaigns, or giveaways. Based in Costa Rica by way of South Africa, she also runs a secondhand book business, weaving community through her love of literary discovery.
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As a Hummingbird of Visibility, Kirsten cross-pollinates ideas and opportunities, ensuring each book’s pulse is felt far beyond the Village. She believes stories bridge hearts and communities, and she delights in helping authors find their readers.
“I’m working on my second book with Awaken Village Press, and I couldn’t be happier with the service and attention to detail across the board.”
Mike McGinnis, Author
Clinton Brown
Systems Steward
Clinton joined Awaken Village as both a long-time mentor to Amanda and a trusted friend of her creative projects. With over two decades as an entrepreneur—including leading his own publishing company and guiding the growth of more than 1,500 businesses worldwide—he brings a wealth of wisdom and perspective.
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Passionate about whole-systems design and ecological wellness, Clinton supports the Village in tending its growth and health—nurturing our projects, our team, and the community of authors we serve. As the Earth of the Village, he grounds the ecosystem with stability and care, ensuring the roots are strong, the systems are whole, and the soil remains fertile for future growth.
