Southwestern Publishing House (SWPH) is an independent publishing and distribution company. Working with leading authors and brands, SWPH delivers authoritative content that is uniquely designed to expand, enhance, and inspire engagement with millions of readers. SWPH provides editorial, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution services throughout North America. Our award-winning books range from cookbooks, children’s books, guidebooks, history, and reference titles. Our imprints include Beckon Books, Blue Sneaker Press, Favorite Recipes Press, Greenwich Publishing, Historic Hospitality Books, Quail Ridge Press, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press. We have published over 2,000 titles that have sold over 50 million books. SWPH is a proud member of the Southwestern Family of Companies.
SOUTHWESTERN PUBLISHING HOUSE WAS FOUNDED IN 1855 IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE—WHEN NASHVILLE WAS PART OF THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES.
BECKON BOOKS
Beckon Books specializes in developing and distributing custom books for leading cultural attractions, national and international corporations, nonprofit groups, and other leading brands. Some of our partners have included the Smithsonian, the Field Museum, the San Diego Zoo, and the Alamo.
BLUE SNEAKER PRESS
Blue Sneaker Press works with authors, illustrators, nonprofit organizations, and corporations to publish children’s books that engage, entertain, and educate. From fiction to non-fiction, our books cover important subjects that affect our world. Some of our collaborators have included illustrator Suzy Spafford of Suzy’s Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
FAVORITE RECIPES PRESS
Favorite Recipes Press (FRP) is the nation’s best known and most respected custom cookbook company. Since 1961, we have produced over 150 award-winning cookbooks and partnered with hundreds of top-ranked chefs, food and appliance manufacturers, restaurants and resorts, health organizations, Junior Leagues, and nonprofit organizations to create more than 1,500 cookbook titles.
GREENWICH PUBLISHING
Greenwich Publishing is North America’s premier publisher of corporate history books. Our team specializes in bringing corporate stories to life, using visually stunning photography and a compelling narrative to craft an inside look at the history and heart of an organization.
HISTORIC HOSPITALITY BOOKS
Historic Hospitality Books creates exquisitely designed custom books for America’s iconic hotels, inns, resorts, spas, and historic destinations. Our books are sold on-site at these distinctive properties, and some are available through trade channels.
QUAIL RIDGE PRESS
Quail Ridge Press publishes cookbooks for slow cookers and pressure cookers like the Instant Pot and the Ninja; cookbooks for low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly diets; and cookbooks by well-known chefs such as George Stella from the Food Network. Our Best of the Best state cookbook series has sold millions of copies.
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE PRESS
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press is the book publishing division of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and working toward a world where all life thrives. Through its publishing efforts, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press seeks to motivate and inspire multiple generations to care about wildlife, the natural world and conservation.
SOUTHWESTERN FAMILY OF COMPANIES
Established in 1855, Southwestern Family of Companies is one of the largest, oldest private corporations in Tennessee and is comprised of 20 companies across a range of industries, all dedicated to building people and positively impacting communities worldwide.
OUR TEAM
Chris Capen joined Southwestern Publishing House in 2008 and became president of the company in 2016. With more than 25 years of book publishing experience, Chris has long been recognized as an innovative leader in this field and is proud to work with a core publishing team that has been together for over 20 years. As the head of the company’s strategic, financial, and business development activities, Chris has launched three new publishing imprints and has acquired three publishing companies. He has worked with hundreds of authors, organizations, and retailers, and his best-selling, award-winning books have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Prior to joining Southwestern, Chris was the president of Tehabi Books, which specialized in creating and selling high-quality illustrated books for leading brands, traditional book publishers, and major book retailers. Chris also pioneered the development of strategic book publishing programs that filled vital marketing, communications, and merchandising needs for corporations.
Chris received his bachelor's degree from Duke University and lives in San Diego, California.
Betsy Holt’s 20 years of book publishing experience spans the custom, corporate, and trade markets. She has written, edited, and managed nearly 100 books—many of them award winning—for major cultural attractions, high-profile corporate clients, trade publishers, and independent publishers. Betsy has worked with Southwestern Publishing House since Beckon Books and Greenwich Publishing were founded in 2008 and 2013, respectively. As publisher, she oversees all aspects of the creative process from book conception to completion, managing each project’s designers, writers, and editors while acting as the liaison between corporate clients, retail customers, and creative teams. In addition to her work at Southwestern Publishing House, she has edited fiction and written educational curriculum, discussion guides, and two books that feature the inspiring stories of both famous and everyday people.
Carrie Hasler has more than 20 years of experience in elementary education, working with kids of all ages at both public and independent schools. She has trained new and veteran teachers on curricular and teaching strategies at numerous schools and institutions, including the University of San Diego School of Education. As publisher of Blue Sneaker Press, Carrie oversees all aspects of the business and creative processes from book conception to completion, managing each project’s authors, illustrators, designers, and editors while acting as the liaison between publishing partners, retail customers, and creative teams. In addition, Carrie writes educational curriculum and has authored several children’s books for Southwestern Advantage. She holds degrees from Pomona College and San Diego State University.
San Diego native Georgeanne “George” Irvine has devoted her career to raising awareness about animals and wildlife conservation. She has worked at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for more than four decades. George was instrumental in building a publishing program for the Alliance, which has published titles for adults and children. As the director of publishing for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press, George manages all aspects of the business and is involved in the creative processes from book conception to completion. In addition, George is the author of two dozen children’s books about animals, including the award-winning Hope and Inspiration collection.
As the chief financial officer for Southwestern Publishing House, Tim directs the financial operations of the company ranging from forecasting, budgeting, legal, and performance monitoring. In addition to his work at SWPH, Tim serves as the CFO of Southwestern Consulting and head of Southwestern Speakers, an agency that represents thought leaders, authors, and experts in a variety of fields. Working across companies within Southwestern Family of Companies allows Tim to connect business leaders and speakers to opportunities in book publishing while in turn connecting authors to a platform to deliver their message. Prior to joining Southwestern Family of Companies, Tim spent 10 years in an audit and business development practice with a regional public accounting firm, Crosslin & Associates, as a practicing CPA.
Kristin Connelly has worked in the book publishing industry since 1999, implementing scheduling software and other vital systems to streamline development processes. In 2011, she joined Southwestern Publishing House as managing editor, where she is responsible for project scheduling, budgeting, and operations across all imprints. As managing editor, Kristin oversees delivery needs and production parameters, coordinating with clients as well as each imprint’s development team to ensure the timely delivery of product. She supervises all company operations to determine the most efficient systems and manages these systems from book launch to product delivery. Kristin also serves as production manager, obtaining project pricing, negotiating print contracts, and above all, working to develop and maintain good relationships with Southwestern Publishing House’s domestic and international printing partners. In addition, she coordinates delivery of files and communications between printing and development teams to ensure the manufacturing is completed to the highest quality standards and that projects are delivered on schedule.
Kristin Stephany joined Southwestern Publishing House in 2015 as sales manager and is now the director of partner development, where she is responsible for managing the sales process and daily selling activity for Beckon Books, Greenwich Publishing, Favorite Recipes Press, Historic Hospitality Books, Quail Ridge Press, and Blue Sneaker Press. Kristin also works with all of Southwestern Publishing House’s partners to increase sales by leading in-store merchandising efforts, which includes floor merchandising, displays, and incentive programs. In addition, she is responsible for revenue and expense forecasting and inventory management across all imprints. Kristin has more than 25 years of experience in management and sales working in the financial services industry. She has worked with many retailers to increase sales through training, motivation, and merchandising. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Bio coming soon!
Vicky Shea has designed and produced more than 200 books in her 25+ year career in graphic design. She started in advertising, graduating with honors from the Art Institute of San Diego. She found her true passion, however, in book publishing, working as an art director for Tehabi Books, Bowtie Press, and Storey Publishing. In 2006, Vicky launched Ponderosa Pine Design, a successful freelance design studio with clients like Rodale, Consumer Reports, and Sterling Publishing. She joined Southwestern Publishing House as senior art director in 2013, where she oversees all the design and production for its book divisions. Vicky’s work has won her five Benjamin Franklin awards and a PubWest Design award. She regularly attends PubWest, Book Expo America, AIGA, and Adobe Max to stay current in design trends and publishing software.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!