Our Team

Our Team

Meet Our Authors

Every great book begins with a storyteller. Our authors come from all walks of life, each bringing unique ideas and heartwarming stories to share with young readers.

Roger Carlson
Roger Carlson holds undergraduate degrees in Education with a focus in Math and Chemistry from Indiana University and Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. In addition he has an MBA from Indiana University. Roger has found joy in writing and managing the production of children’s books. His goal is to teach his nine year old daughter how to be an entrepreneur.
Roseann Hotz Woodka, PhD
Roseann is a counseling psychologist who works in a small group practice in Elkhart, Indiana. Precious Moments with Dick and Jane is the first book she has written. She is working on two Dick and Jane sequels: Double Trouble with Dick and Jane and Senior Living with Dick and Jane. The books were inspired after the many comments made by clients who love the real Dick and Jane and have benefited from their presence. Roseann has two children and four grandchildren who witness the antics of Dick and Jane. All of them provide love and laughter on a daily basis.
Roseann Hotz Woodka, PhD
Roseann is a counseling psychologist who works in a small group practice in Elkhart, Indiana. Precious Moments with Dick and Jane is the first book she has written. She is working on two Dick and Jane sequels: Double Trouble with Dick and Jane and Senior Living with Dick and Jane. The books were inspired after the many comments made by clients who love the real Dick and Jane and have benefited from their presence. Roseann has two children and four grandchildren who witness the antics of Dick and Jane. All of them provide love and laughter on a daily basis.
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Roger Carlson
Roger Carlson holds undergraduate degrees in Education with a focus in Math and Chemistry from Indiana University and Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. In addition he has an MBA from Indiana University. Roger has found joy in writing and managing the production of children’s books. His goal is to teach his daughter how to be an entrepreneur.
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Roseann Hotz Woodka, PhD
Roseann is a counseling psychologist who works in a small group practice in Elkhart, Indiana. Precious Moments with Dick and Jane is the first book she has written. She is working on two Dick and Jane sequels: Double Trouble with Dick and Jane and Senior Living with Dick and Jane. The books were inspired after the many comments made by clients who love the real Dick and Jane

and have benefited from their presence. Roseann has two children and four grandchildren who witness the antics of Dick and Jane. All of them provide love and laughter on a daily basis.

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Jason Lippert
Jason Lippert is the third-generation leader of Lippert and LCI Industries. Throughout is 28-plus career with the company, he has served in many capacities. Since 2003, he has been the CEO of Lippert and has placed an intense focus on building strong teams, bettering communities, and growing the company through new product innovations. He has successfully built upon the
strong foundation that his father and grandfather established and has transformed a steel roofing business in Alma, Michigan, into a thriving international supplier of components for the leisure vehicle and mobile transportation industries. Jason received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1994. Today, as the President and CEO of Lippert, he and his executive team have created an inspiring company culture of excellence that starts with senior leadership and reaches to the front lines of its workforce of over 12,000 people.
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Roger Carlson
Roger Carlson holds undergraduate degrees in Education with a focus in Math and Chemistry from Indiana University and Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. In addition he has an MBA from Indiana University. Roger has found joy in writing and managing the production of children’s books. His goal is to teach his nine year old daughter how to be an entrepreneur.
Roseann Hotz Woodka, PhD
Roseann is a counseling psychologist who works in a small group practice in Elkhart, Indiana. Precious Moments with Dick and Jane is the first book she has written. She is working on two Dick and Jane sequels: Double Trouble with Dick and Jane and Senior Living with Dick and Jane. The books were inspired after the many comments made by clients who love the real Dick and Jane and have benefited from their presence. Roseann has two children and four grandchildren who witness the antics of Dick and Jane. All of them provide love and laughter on a daily basis.
Elena Bogatireva
Elena is an amazing artist who has been working for us for over three years. She is the illustrator for going on five of our children’s picture books. Her passion for her work shines through in every illustration. If you would like to have Elena illustrate your children’s book contact Mariana publishing today at info@marianapublishing.com

Meet Our Illustration Team

Andy Elkerton

Andy Elkerton is a children’s book illustrator from the west coast of Scotland town of Oban known for its distillery. He is known for his colorful and bright illustrations for picture books, tv production companies, major publishing houses, toy manufacturers, and advertising companies. Andy got started working as an illustrator in 2003 after he spent more that fifteen years in the computer games industry, where he was a graphic designer. Some of his books include How to Catch a Leprechaun, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy, How to Catch an Elf, How to Catch the Easter Bunny, How to catch a Monster, How to Catch a Class Pet, How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, and How to Catch a Dragon, among many others.

Phresh Laundry

Meet Theoplis Smith III, also known as “Phresh Laundry,” a talented multidisciplinary artist who creates with a burning desire to bring his unique vision to life. Despite being primarily self-taught, Smith’s work is a testament to his exceptional skill and creative talent. His work has been recognized on a national level, as it was displayed at the Academy Motion Pictures Museum, home of the Oscars, alongside award-winning director Spike Lee. Smith’s art is also featured in the Indiana State Museum, further solidifying his impact on the local and state art scene. Theoplis has a strong following of enthusiastic art collectors who appreciate his innovative approach to the formal aspects of his work. His art showcases a blend of traditional portraiture, popular culture, and comic book influences. Recently, Smith’s work was featured on PBS NewsHour, highlighting his contribution to the art scene in Indiana.

Lesa Sears

Lesa Sears was born and raised in Oregon.  She currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska the land of the midnight sun.  Lesa is the mother of five children. During Covid 19 Lesa decided to pick up her brush, once again, and she reignited her passion.

Lesa is an accomplished landscape artist.  She loves recreating memories for people of their happy places.  Her art brings back fond memories, inspiration and happiness.

Lesa has been the guest artist for many events in Alaska and the guest speaker for artists around the world.  She is a certified art life coach and believes art can be a tool to help solve many problems.  Lesa is currently attending the University of Fairbanks to become a High School art teacher, so she can help ignite the passion of art into future generations.

One of Lesa’s dreams was to become a children’s book illustrator and is very thankful for the opportunity to illustrate “Togo”.  Just like Togo, she is an example of following your dreams and working hard.

Elena Bogatireva

Elena is an amazing artist who has been working for us for over three years. She is the illustrator for going on five of our children’s picture books. Her passion for her work shines through in every illustration. If you would like to have Elena illustrate your children’s book contact Mariana publishing today at info@marianapublishing.com

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Andy Elkerton
Andy Elkerton is a children’s book illustrator from the west coast of Scotland town of Oban known for its distillery. He is known for his colorful and bright illustrations for picture books, tv production companies, major publishing houses, toy manufacturers, and advertising companies. Andy got started working as an illustrator in 2003 after he spent more that fifteen years in the computer games industry, where he was a graphic designer. Some of his books include

How to Catch a Leprechaun, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy, How to Catch an Elf, How to Catch the Easter Bunny, How to catch a Monster, How to Catch a Class Pet, How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, and How to Catch a Dragon, among many others.

Read More Read Less
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Phresh Laundry
Meet Theoplis Smith III, also known as “Phresh Laundry,” a talented multidisciplinary artist who creates with a burning desire to bring his unique vision to life. Despite being primarily self-taught, Smith’s work is a testament to his exceptional skill and creative talent. His work has been recognized on a national level, as it was displayed at the Academy Motion Pictures Museum, home of the Oscars, alongside award-winning director Spike Lee. Smith’s art is also
featured in the Indiana State Museum, further solidifying his impact on the local and state art scene. Theoplis has a strong following of enthusiastic art collectors who appreciate his innovative approach to the formal aspects of his work. His art showcases a blend of traditional portraiture, popular culture, and comic book influences. Recently, Smith’s work was featured on PBS NewsHour, highlighting his contribution to the art scene in Indiana.
Read More Read Less
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Lesa Sears
Lesa Sears was born and raised in Oregon.  She currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska the land of the midnight sun.  Lesa is the mother of five children. During Covid 19 Lesa decided to pick up her brush, once again, and she reignited her passion. Lesa is an accomplished landscape artist.  She loves recreating memories for people of their happy places.  Her art brings back fond memories, inspiration and happiness. Lesa has been the guest artist for many events in Alaska

and the guest speaker for artists around the world.  She is a certified art life coach and believes art can be a tool to help solve many problems.  Lesa is currently attending the University of Fairbanks to become a High School art teacher, so she can help ignite the passion of art into future generations.

One of Lesa’s dreams was to become a children’s book illustrator and is very thankful for the opportunity to illustrate “Togo”.  Just like Togo, she is an example of following your dreams and working hard.

Read More Read Less

Andy Elkerton

Andy Elkerton is a children’s book illustrator from the west coast of Scotland town of Oban known for its distillery. He is known for his colorful and bright illustrations for picture books, tv production companies, major publishing houses, toy manufacturers, and advertising companies. Andy got started working as an illustrator in 2003 after he spent more that fifteen years in the computer games industry, where he was a graphic designer. Some of his books include How to Catch a Leprechaun, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy, How to Catch an Elf, How to Catch the Easter Bunny, How to catch a Monster, How to Catch a Class Pet, How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, and How to Catch a Dragon, among many others.

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Read More Read Less

Phresh Laundry

Meet Theoplis Smith III, also known as “Phresh Laundry,” a talented multidisciplinary artist who creates with a burning desire to bring his unique vision to life. Despite being primarily self-taught, Smith’s work is a testament to his exceptional skill and creative talent. His work has been recognized on a national level, as it was displayed at the Academy Motion Pictures Museum, home of the Oscars, alongside award-winning director Spike Lee. Smith’s art is also featured in the Indiana State Museum, further solidifying his impact on the local and state art scene. Theoplis has a strong following of enthusiastic art collectors who appreciate his innovative approach to the formal aspects of his work. His art showcases a blend of traditional portraiture, popular culture, and comic book influences. Recently, Smith’s work was featured on PBS NewsHour, highlighting his contribution to the art scene in Indiana.

Lesa Sears

Lesa Sears was born and raised in Oregon.  She currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska the land of the midnight sun.  Lesa is the mother of five children. During Covid 19 Lesa decided to pick up her brush, once again, and she reignited her passion.

Lesa is an accomplished landscape artist.  She loves recreating memories for people of their happy places.  Her art brings back fond memories, inspiration and happiness.

Lesa has been the guest artist for many events in Alaska and the guest speaker for artists around the world.  She is a certified art life coach and believes art can be a tool to help solve many problems.  Lesa is currently attending the University of Fairbanks to become a High School art teacher, so she can help ignite the passion of art into future generations.

One of Lesa’s dreams was to become a children’s book illustrator and is very thankful for the opportunity to illustrate “Togo”.  Just like Togo, she is an example of following your dreams and working hard.

1) Andy Elkerton

Andy Elkerton is a children’s book illustrator from the west coast of Scotland town of Oban known for its distillery. He is known for his colorful and bright illustrations for picture books, tv production companies, major publishing houses, toy manufacturers, and advertising companies. Andy got started working as an illustrator in 2003 after he spent more that fifteen years in the computer games industry, where he was a graphic designer. Some of his books include How to Catch a Leprechaun, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy, How to Catch an Elf, How to Catch the Easter Bunny, How to catch a Monster, How to Catch a Class Pet, How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, and How to Catch a Dragon, among many others.

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