Andrea Leigh Ptak

Andrea has over 40 years of experience as a writer, editor, and graphic designer specializing in publications. Her love of book design was born when she was introduced to the craft during her typography classes as a design student at Rochester Institute of Technology. In those classes, students were allowed access to the school’s rare book library which contained everything from a page of a Gutenberg bible to the full folio of John James Audubon’s incredible The Birds of America. But it was a first edition of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine by book designer William Addison Dwiggins, that was the spark that ignited her passion for creating beautiful books that complement an author’s words.

Her skills include project management, copyediting, graphic design, fine typography, print production, photography, art direction, and promotion via social media. She has done work for the University of Washington, Purdue University Press (IN), Bloomsbury (London), Taylor & Francis (London), and a variety of independent self-publishers.

In June 2014, she received a Professional Certificate in Digital Publishing from the University of Washington. The ten-month program focused on digital content, web development, and marketing and promotion via social media. As part of the program, she developed the blogsite The Green Queen of Moderation, focusing on doable, sustainable living practices.

Andrea also lends her design and marketing skills to other businesses and individuals with her business—Communicating Words & Images. A comprehensive description and samples of her past work, including books she has produced for other clients, can be found at her website: www.andrealeighptak.com.

In addition to her work in communications, she is a native plant enthusiast and a Certified Master Urban Naturalist specializing in The Pacific Northwest. Other areas of expertise include photography, hiking, camping, rock climbing, gardening, companion animals, knitting, sewing, and vocal music.

Professional Affiliations

Northwest Editors Guild, current member and past board member
Editorial Freelancers Association
Bookpublishers Northwest
Book Arts Guild
Publishing Professionals Network
Independent Book Publishers Association

Recent Published Works

Dixie Has the Ickies, Live Like a Dog Press, 2022 – Copy Editor & Project Manager
Nothing Everything, Anne Mumsword LLC, 2022 – Book Formatting & Project Manager
DRIVEWAY HOOPS: An Illustrated Guide of Basketball Fundamentals for Kids, Parents, and Coaches, Advize Proactive Consulting, LLC, 2022 – Book Designer & Project Manager
Strange Bird, River Lily Press, 2022 – Book Designer & Project Manager
Meet Edward, Live Like a Dog Press, 2022 – Developmental Editor & Project Manager
Crusty and His Red Sweater, Live Like a Dog Press, 2021 – Copy Editor & Project Manager
Horizons of Joy: Poetic Thresholds for Winter, River Lily Press, 2021 – Book Designer & Project Manager
The Ribbon Untied: A Journey to Finding a Family, The Ribbon Untied, LLC, 2021 – Book Designer & Project Manager