Featured Author Brian Parker
About Brian Parker. Author, illustrator, educator, and creator of the fantastical:
3/1/2025
"I grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and have always been in love with storytelling in every medium. Literature, movies, art, you name it! I have a BFA in graphic design and illustration, as well as a MA in writing and publishing, and worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for almost 15 years in music publishing, corporate marketing, and sports/entertainment.
Now I spend my days working on in youth publishing (so cool, right?) and teaching about the creative process. I'm always trying to learn and grow in my craft and find that I am happiest when I'm striving to bring the works of my imagination to life, as well as sharing that experience with others."
Brian, and his wife Josie, run a youth-focused publishing entity based in Portland, Oregon, called Believe in Wonder. Working with youth has been a big part of their lives and is their passion. Their focus has been to promote imagination, inspiration, and positive thinking in kids as well as adults. Their biggest inspirations are their two adopted boys, Kamari and Victor, who are their Chief Inspiration Officers.
Brian and Josie have been featured by local media centers, such as Portland's KATU television station, as everyday heroes. A short documentary has been made about their impact in the local community and for people of color, including their experience as foster and adoptive parents. "Despite barriers for people of color, it’s remarkable what a difference one talented African American couple makes when they simultaneously grow a family through foster/adoption, grow their sci-fi publishing business, and unite an intergenerational Pacific Northwest community – all through the magic of books."
"In a time where social pressures and injustices threaten to take away our ability to dream of a better future, we hope to promote endeavors and education that uplifts and inspires, as well as provides creative outlets for the young and young at heart. We have an emphasis on bringing these opportunities to underrepresented communities and their allies, but we hope our work and message is embraced by many... We publish internally developed works like The Wonderous Science, You Can Rely on Platypi, and Crow in the Hollow, but also actively search out new and amazing works to bring to the public eye."
Source and for more information: Believeinwonder.weebly.com
3/1/2025
"I grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and have always been in love with storytelling in every medium. Literature, movies, art, you name it! I have a BFA in graphic design and illustration, as well as a MA in writing and publishing, and worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for almost 15 years in music publishing, corporate marketing, and sports/entertainment.
Now I spend my days working on in youth publishing (so cool, right?) and teaching about the creative process. I'm always trying to learn and grow in my craft and find that I am happiest when I'm striving to bring the works of my imagination to life, as well as sharing that experience with others."
Brian, and his wife Josie, run a youth-focused publishing entity based in Portland, Oregon, called Believe in Wonder. Working with youth has been a big part of their lives and is their passion. Their focus has been to promote imagination, inspiration, and positive thinking in kids as well as adults. Their biggest inspirations are their two adopted boys, Kamari and Victor, who are their Chief Inspiration Officers.
Brian and Josie have been featured by local media centers, such as Portland's KATU television station, as everyday heroes. A short documentary has been made about their impact in the local community and for people of color, including their experience as foster and adoptive parents. "Despite barriers for people of color, it’s remarkable what a difference one talented African American couple makes when they simultaneously grow a family through foster/adoption, grow their sci-fi publishing business, and unite an intergenerational Pacific Northwest community – all through the magic of books."
"In a time where social pressures and injustices threaten to take away our ability to dream of a better future, we hope to promote endeavors and education that uplifts and inspires, as well as provides creative outlets for the young and young at heart. We have an emphasis on bringing these opportunities to underrepresented communities and their allies, but we hope our work and message is embraced by many... We publish internally developed works like The Wonderous Science, You Can Rely on Platypi, and Crow in the Hollow, but also actively search out new and amazing works to bring to the public eye."
Source and for more information: Believeinwonder.weebly.com
