MIPA’s new board truly represents the Midwest region.
Our new president, Dr. Suzzanne Kelley, is Assistant Professor of Practice and Editor in Chief of North Dakota State University Press in Fargo. She is also developing a Certificate in Publishing for NDSU. Suzzanne has a BS in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas—Austin, an MA in history from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Certificate in Publishing from Minnesota State University—Moorhead, and a PhD in history from NDSU, majoring in studies of the American West (particularly the Great Plains), Rural & Agricultural History, and Public History. She has worked with state, national, and international journals, editing articles with a wide array of research topics including agriculture, politics, history, and Chinese studies. Before joining NDSU she was the managing editor for New Rivers Press at Minnesota State University Moorhead for several years. When she is not making books, teaching, or being presidential, she conducts scholarly research in the Great Plains, Australia, and New Zealand, discovering connections between memory and place.
Peter Liptak, MIPA’s vice president, was born in the Midwest but lived in South Korea for 20 years, where he taught English and created Exile Press, and includes imprints Little Bear Books and Hungry Dictator Press. He’s published a wide range of books including a book of Korean slang, a graphic novel, ESL textbooks, art, poetry, and children’s books. Now living in Minneapolis, he continues to publish and offers copywriting and web development services.
Paisley Kauffmann, MIPA’s secretary, started writing fiction seven years ago and continues to participate in writing classes and groups. She has had seven short stories published in nine journal publications and is working on a novel. Paisley is also a registered nurse and lives in Minneapolis.
Treasurer Jennifer Baum is from Michigan. Jennifer is publisher and editorial director of Scribe Publishing Company, and MIPA’s new treasurer. She founded Scribe Publishing Company in 2011 to fulfill a lifelong dream of working with books (in Michigan, a state not known for its literary industry). Jennifer is also co-author of The Glass Palace: Illusions of Freedom and Democracy in Qatar, published by Algora Publishing. Prior to establishing Scribe Consulting, Jennifer served as editor of two regional magazines and held a host of other positions in the field of marketing and communications. She lives in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Deb Jacobson is MIPA’s new Midwest Book Awards chair. Deb was a project manager in the printing industry for 25 years and now owns Prairie Pond Publishing, LLC in New Richmond, Wisconsin. She has written and published four non-fiction books, is working on two more, and will soon publish other authors.