THE ROBIN SEAMAN AWARD
2024 ROBIN SEAMAN AWARD RECIPIENTS
JYOTI ARVEY
Jyoti Arvey got their start in the book world in 2016, when they began working as a bookseller at the queer community bookstore Dog Eared Books Castro (now Fabulosa Books) in San Francisco. They have worked as a freelance editor and translator for artists, writers, scholars, and small businesses, and have been involved in the Bay Area queer art scene as a writer and performer for many years. Jyoti received their BA in Slavic Studies from Connecticut College in 2014. Currently, as an Editorial Assistant at University of California Press, Jyoti assists with projects in Technology Studies and Economics, as well as Premodern History, Religion, and World Literature in Translation.
OLIVIA GUIMARÃES
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Olivia is a literary translator and currently the Children’s Editorial Assistant at Chronicle Books, where she previously was the Art Editorial Fellow. She holds a B.A in Graphic Arts from UFMG (Brazil), where she began her path in bookmaking and never looked back. As a translator, Olivia works between Portuguese and English, having works published by Edições Chão da Feira and forthcoming by Editora Âyiné. She lives in Oakland, CA.
SAM JAVELLANA HILL
Sam Javellana Hill works as a Prepress Operator at VIZ Media. They hold a B.A. in Studio Art and Creative Writing from Wesleyan University. Sam continues to work in fine art, serving as an artist-in-residence at Kala Art Institute for Fall 2024.
BRI JAMES
Bri James is an author-illustrator who makes things for kids and food people. She is known for her vibrant illustrations and non-fiction works that celebrate both ancestral wisdom and the joys of everyday life. Her debut project, Young Historians Club, is forthcoming in January '25 from Union Square Kids. Bri's work has been featured in the New York Times, Inc. Magazine, Buzzfeed, and Eater, among others. She is a graduate of Emory University and Duke University, School of Law. You can find her online at brijames.com and on Instagram @artish.reader.
MANDEE LONEY
Mandee is a recent graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, and moved to the Bay to start her life with her girlfriend and cat, Corn. Mandee is an aspiring editor, most recently interning with the New Orleans Review. She will be using the funds to take editorial classes at UC Berkeley Extension to get an editorial certificate and make more connections in the Bay!
MICHELLE LUTSKY
Michelle Lutsky started her career as a print professional in 1980, working for Bay Area print shops as a prepress technician. She transferred to the client side as print production lead for a consumer electronics company in-house creative department in 2006. In 2017, she was able to apply her past experience to her current position as Creative Traffic Manager for VIZ Media. As an avid book reader, Michelle was excited to learn about the publishing industry while working for VIZ Media.
Born in San Jose, California to parents from Hawaii, Michelle grew up attending events held by her father’s golf club and her hula dance troop. She began paddling outrigger canoes when the Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association was formed in the 1970’s. In 1995, when the Hokulea Voyaging Canoe sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco, Michelle volunteered for the committee that organized the event to greet the boat. The positive response from the Bay Area Polynesian community instigated the formation of the Pacific Islander Cultural Association. Currently, Michelle is on the boards of the Pupu O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Club and the Pacific Islander Cultural Association.
The experience of working for companies striving for print and graphic quality, combined with the teamwork and inspiration of her Bay Area ‘Ohana’, has instilled in Michelle a positive supportive attitude and passion for her professional and personal endeavors. She looks forward to working with and supporting the Bay Area Women in Publishing.
SADIE WASHINGTON
Sadie Washington is a dedicated advocate for art, education, and social justice. With a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from U.C. Santa Cruz, Sadie's journey has been a fusion of hard work, creativity, and advocacy. Her passion for community and arts education has led her to work with prominent nonprofits like CREATE CA and the Boys & Girls Club, where she collaborated in efforts to promote creative expression in young minds.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Sadie's interests extend to historical fiction, where she finds inspiration in the works of visionaries like Octavia Butler and N.K. Jeminsin, with their reinforcing narratives speaking to the significance of community care, rest, and creativity as formidable tools of resistance against the backdrop of violent capitalist structures. With a skillful blend of creativity, advocacy, and a profound understanding of the power of narratives, she intends to make a resounding impact in the world of publishing by leveraging her skills within any team she joins.
CHLOE WONG
Chloe Wong is Product Marketing Manager at University of California Press. She started her career in publishing at Berrett-Koehler Publishers after graduating from UC Berkeley. She is passionate about crafting brand voice through inclusive language and enjoys working on products that can transform how we think.