After sixteen and a half wonderful years at Baker Publishing Group, I have decided to make a move. This blog, now six years old, has enabled me to start a small business, and I feel called to dedicate my energies to it full time. I plan to serve writers via BookCamp, Book Proposal Academy, coaching, speaking, and so on. More on that later.

In this post I want to focus on Baker and the things I’ve loved about working there.

Generally I’m not very good at saying goodbye. I rush on to the next thing without honoring the experience or the people with whom I’ve been. Saying goodbye is painful. But to lean into that pain rather than shirk it is to acknowledge all the good of the experience, all the incredible things about the people. That’s what I want to do here.

My first day at Baker was October 1, 2001. I was hired as a project editor. Project editors at BPG oversee copyediting and proofreading. By year three I was an acquisitions editor, whose primary role is to bring books under contract and prepare them for publication. In 2010 I was named editorial director for the Baker Books division, which focuses on publishing trade books for the church. The editorial director’s role is to cultivate an editorial vision and lead the acquisition team. I’m in this role now and will be until my last day on April 27, 2018.

Without further ado, following are 5 reasons I have loved working at Baker Publishing Group.

1. Books!

It’s been sheer joy to participate in the art of book making. The Internet proliferates short-form content, and I’m a huge fan. This blog post is an example! But it also underscores the importance and value of long-form content, namely, books. The immersive experience of a book has the power to change lives.

You’ve seen authors post pictures or videos on the day their book arrives from the printer. One of the great joys of working in the publishing trade is this glorious day occurs every month, sometimes twice a month. And to hear stories of transformation because of a book we published…who could possibly deserve that!

2. Authors!

So many of the authors I’ve worked with have become friends. (You know who you are.) The intense process of working on a book has a way of bringing two people together. The author-editor relationship is a sacred trust, and I’m honored every time an author sends me a manuscript for editing and feedback.

3. Colleagues!

The people who work at Baker are some of the smartest, most genuine, kindest people you could ever meet. Baker has a way of attracting humble people who are in this business for all the right reasons. They view their work as a way to contribute profoundly to the betterment of humanity. I’ve had the joy and honor of leading a group of them, and it’s not hyperbole to say I love these people.

4. The Mission!

The mission of Baker Publishing Group, which our president and CEO, Dwight Baker, recites boldly and often, is “to publish high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.” That has been Baker’s guiding light for decades, and it’s proved both durable and challenging. This mission demands the best of Baker’s team, and day after day they rise to the task.

5. The Leadership!

Dwight Baker is deeply committed to running a company that serves the church. He is determined in his willingness to invest in opportunities to do exactly that. Add to this a profound sense of responsibility for his employees and his company’s work, an irrepressible playfulness, a consistent concern for the environment, and what you have is an amazing leader.

I also want to say a word about my three most recent bosses at Baker, Don Stephenson, Jack Kuhatschek, and Jennifer Leep, all of whom served (Jennifer currently serves) in the role of publisher. Don was the guy who picked me up from the airport for my first interview at Baker. Later he took me on acquisitions trips and generally showed me the ropes. He gave me my first shot at acquisitions, and for this I’m forever grateful.

Jack took over after Don retired, and we regularly went out to lunch. Invariably we’d start talking about publishing and end up talking about life. He gave me some great advice, but what I really value is his example. I saw Jack make unpopular decisions because of his convictions, and whether I share those convictions or not, I hope I have the guts to go against the grain when it costs me. Jack does.

Jennifer Leep, my supervisor as I write this and Baker’s trade books publisher in Grand Rapids, is one of my heroes. She knows the business as well as anyone, and she’s also a brilliant leader. She and I have often remarked on how different we are from each other but always with a sense of respect and even awe for each other. I’m going to miss our conversations.

I Could Go On…

These are just five reasons I have loved working at BPG. I could go on to talk about Baker’s commitment to resourcing the church, the creativity of the work, participating in the dynamic growth of the Baker Books division, all the lessons I’ve learned about business and life, and on and on.

Hopefully, though, the above list gives you a sense of my gratitude for all Baker has given me, my grief in having to depart, and my great hope for the company’s future.

One last thing. If you’re interested in learning more about the Baker story, to commemorate its 75^th anniversary the company commissioned Ann Byle to write a brief history. It’s a fun and informative little read. Click here to learn more.

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