Books That Save Lives is a mission-driven, emerging imprint focused on impactful non-fiction and self-help books with the core value of providing meaningful content that demonstrably improves lives.
Mission
We are guided by the values of integrity, kindness, and compassion in all our endeavors, from author and business relationships to the content we produce. We offer solace to people during difficult times. We save lives through the power of the written word.
Vision
We see our books engendering positive change through compassion, empowerment, and meaningful dialogue. The tools and practices in our life-saving books have the power to change not just the people who read them, but the people around them, too.
Values
- We believe that reading, journaling, and writing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and empowerment.
- We are dedicated to the power of community and the importance of supporting each other.
- We value the importance of education and understanding.
- We know that storytelling changes hearts and minds.
- We understand that a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
Good Trouble Books
Coming Soon!
Good Trouble’s mission is to create books that bring attention to underserved and ignored voices. We are champions of diversity and divergence. We believe in our hearts that publishing these books will make the world a better place.
Many of our authors have had difficult journeys and share the fruits of their struggles with our readers. These are the folks who have a hard time getting their stories told because they are different. Good Trouble is a staunch ally of anyone who has struggled and lived to tell their story.
Good Trouble is an imprint for nonconformists, activists, disruptors, and community organizers. We are BIPOC, Punk, Queer, Pagan, and neurodiverse. Our books shake up the status quo with dissenting voices.
Our writers bask in the fringe and push the boundaries of the acceptable. These rogues aren’t afraid to test the limits of free speech. They fight authority, dictatorship, and fascism. They co-create social justice. They speak from the hip and write from the heart.
Good Trouble Books Board of Advisors
Ralph Remington (he/him)
Ralph Remington is the Director of Cultural Affairs for the San Francisco Arts Commission. He has extensive professional experience in arts administration and government, and has experience as a director, actor, essayist, playwright and screenwriter. He is the founding producing artistic director of Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis where he is also a former City Councilmember. Prior to joining the City and County of San Francisco, he served as the Deputy Director for Arts and Culture for the City of Tempe, Arizona. In that role, he was responsible for Tempe Center for the Arts’ comprehensive performance and visual art programming, as well as overseeing public art, the Tempe History Museum, arts engagement and municipal arts granting. He previously served as the former Western Regional Director and Assistant Executive Director for Actors Equity Association in Los Angeles. Prior to that, he was Director of Theater and Musical Theater at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) under President Obama in Washington, D.C., where he was the first Black man ever appointed. In 2010, he received the NEA Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University. He lives in San Francisco, California.
Eric Rosswood (he/him)
Eric Rosswood is a multi-award-winning author whose broad body of work centers around family, authenticity, diversity, hope, and strength. He is a commentator on LGBTQ+ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics, and has led panels on LGBTQ+ parenting issues for organizations such as Family Equality and the Modern Family Alliance.
Rosswood’s bestselling parenting books focus on the LGBTQ+ journey to parenthood and have helped couples around the world start their own families. These titles include The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads, Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood, and We Make It Better. His latest picture book, STRONG, featuring the world’s first and only openly gay professional strongman, won a 2023 Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association. Find him on Twitter @LGBT_Activist
Marita Golden (she/her)
Marita Golden is a bestselling author, journalist, activist, and consultant famous for crafting over 20 fiction and non-fiction works. Starting as a freelance writer and editor for magazines such as The New York Times and Essence Magazine, she released her debut memoir, Migrations of the Heart, in 1984. Since then, she has published renowned books such as Saving Our Sons and Don’t Play in the Sun, as well as novels like The Edge of Heaven and After. Marita has also led several lectures and workshops, as well as founded the Hurston-Wright Foundation to help current and future Black authors bring their stories to life. She currently lives in Washington D.C.
Image arriving soon!
Jalon Johnson (he/him)
Jalon Johnson is a writer exploring generational trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to break inherited patterns. The Map and the Mountain is his upcoming illustrated memoir. He is the podcast host of Not Your Ordinary Parts, where he is determined to become vulnerable, feel his feelings, talk about his emotions, heal, and inspire others to do the same. He regularly features authors, therapists, psychologists on the subjects of masculinity, modern-day racism, generational trauma, and more.
Meet the Books That Save Lives Staff
Brenda Knight (she/her), Founding Publisher
Brenda has more than 30 years of experience in the publishing industry, beginning at HarperCollins. She is passionate about her authors, whom she knows are saving lives every day with their writing. Brenda is the author of Random Acts of Kindness, The Book of Abundance, The Grateful Table, and several other titles.
Duncan MacLeod (he/him), Co-founder and CEO
Duncan oversees the operations, finance, and fulfillment of Books That Save Lives. He is the author of Money Magic: Easy and Surprising Ways to Not Be Broke, sharing his passion for personal finance and success with those in need. He cares deeply about the BTSL mission and making sure that every reader of our books can find the meaning and passion that was put into each page.
Maclin Lisle (she/her), Managing Editor
Maclin Lisle joined Books That Save Lives in the very beginning. She works alongside all of the staff at Books That Save Lives on daily operations, including editorial, design, and distribution, as well as working with authors to make their books come to life!
Krishna Bhat (he/him), Manager of Sales, Marketing, and Author Relations
Krishna also joined Books That Save Lives at its beginning. He works alongside authors to arrange marketing events such as appearances and book signings. He also oversees the advertising and press of Books That Save Lives and its publications.
Lindsay Russell (she/her), Marketing and Sales Associate
Lindsay assists with marketing Books That Save Lives and its authors to organizations, podcasts, and other partners. She also assists in the management of wholesale marketing through Faire.
Roberto Nuñez (he/him), Designer
Roberto has more than 10 years of experience in the trade publishing industry. Roberto is Books That Save Lives’ in-house designer and creator of book covers, interiors, and promotional material.
Alexa Robinson (she/her), Backlist Marketing
Alexa assists backlist authors with marketing, sales, and promotions even after their books are published. She establishes unique, original ways to boost sales and reviews as well as researches content ideas for Books That Save Lives authors.
Lyzmarie Fernandez (she/her), Website and Internal Marketer
Lyzmarie has worked with many authors who are at the core of Books That Save Lives, including Cerridwen Greenleaf and Becca Anderson. She manages the website, including regularly adding events, blog posts, and other forms of engagement to the public and authors.