About Us

Robert D. Reed - Book publisher, consultant, comedian, and "Idea Man"

Robert D. Reed (Bob) is the publisher of nearly 1,800 books and co-author of more than 50 books and resource guides on a wide range of subjects, including: environmental issues, current affairs, health, business excellence, responsible leadership, helping women to get elected to political offices, creating high-quality education, effective parenting, psychology, ending domestic violence and child abuse, homelessness, human and animal rights, healing racism, and peaceful activism. Profits from one of his cookbooks fed millions of children worldwide through the C.A.R.E. Organization in New York City. Many of his authors have been featured on television and radio programs, and in newspaper and magazine articles throughout the world.

The founder of Robert D. Reed Publishers, Bob has produced and distributed over 165 titles, including House Calls: How we can all save the world one visit at a time by Patch Adams, M.D. - the compassionate and humorous doctor portrayed by Robin Williams in Universal Picture's hit film, "Patch Adams."

For 40 years, Bob has been dedicated to producing quality books that help, inspire, and empower people, such as: RelationShift: Revolutionary Fundraising, The Joy of Selling, Preparing Heirs: Five Steps to a Successful Transition of Family Wealth and Values, and Saving The Soul of Medicine. Inspired by the book Ten Commitments, he published a Ten Commitment series: Ten Commitments to Your Success, ... for Networking, ... for Building High Performance Teams, ... to be Forever Fit, ... to be Mentally Fit, ... for Men, and Ten Commitments for Women.

His newest novel, SILVER DREAMS, has attracted many wonderful reviews.

And Forgiveness and Child Abuse: Would YOU Forgive? includes 53 contributors, many influential well-known people, and has very wide applications to make this a better world.

With authors, affiliates, movies, media appearances and endorsements such as:

Robert Muller, Patch Adams, Robin Williams,

Albert Ellis, Arun Gandhi, John Gray, Thomas Eagleton,

Oprah Winfrey, The Today Show, ABC, NBC, CBS,

Kurt Waldheim, Mohammad Ali, Derrick Jensen,

Art Buchwald, Ed Asner, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter,

Mary Elizabeth King, Pat Buchanan,

Laura Davis, Daniel Quinn, Pete Seeger,

Dr. Bernie Siegel, Ann Louise Gittleman,

Ken Blanchard, Jack Canfield, Steve Chandler

Gerry Spence, Lois Einhorn, Montel Williams,

Mike Thaler, Kenneth Wapnick, Malcolm Kushner,

Washington Post, People Magazine, CNN, Bob Brinker’s Money Talk, ABC.

Bob has experienced much satisfaction, happiness and success
being an independent publisher for forty years.

He says often: “We love what we do!”

As the founder of Green-PR, a San Francisco-based public relations firm, Bob represented and promoted socially and environmentally responsible causes and organizations. He also has taught companies how to use more environmentally friendly products and packaging. As co-founder of a grassroots organization, CeaseFire (in San Francisco and Boston), Bob has been an advocate for ending gun violence in our communities. He is the publisher of a citizen's guide, 50 Things You Can Do About Guns, by his deceased friend and author; James M Murray, who was featured in a Bill Moyers' PBS special about violence.

Bob has lectured and has given seminars on publishing and social issues, including a publishing workshop while cruising through the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, and was featured on a panel discussion on effective ways to assist the homeless.

Bob has also produced a television show for Century Corporation in Japan on world peace. Hired the host, translators, chose the panel and managed the production at an NBC affiliate.

As an international marketing consultant, Bob has been involved with the research, development, and marketing of creative products, packaging, and services. He has also developed a unique and humorous line of greeting cards and gift items.

In 2005, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business and Marketing by Euclid University. Hundreds of articles have been written about Reed's innovative companies, projects, and ideas. He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in Entertainment, and Who's Who in International Biographies. His clients (for graphic design and printing work) have included Hewlett-Packard, Apple Computer, Wang Computer, U.S. West Information Systems, U.S. Gypsum, and United Technologies.

Born in Pennsylvania, Bob moved with his parents to California as a young boy. At age 18, he joined the U.S. Army and served for three years in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps in Germany. He has three married children and six grandchildren. He now lives and works on the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast. He enjoys watching high-quality and humorous films, plays and musicals, listening to great music, collects books, painting, taking walks on the beach, dancing,

A man with a wide range of close friendships and a wonderful relationship with his family, he also loves and maintains friendships with many of his authors. His contract with his authors has the word FUN in it, and FUN is how he creates his life, personally and professionally.

Bob’s distribution partners include: National distribution and sales representation by Midpoint Trade Books in New York, European sales by Gazell of London, John Reed Distribution of Australia/New Zealand, and foreign rights sales by Sylvia Hayse Literary Agency.

BOB'S STAFF:

Cleone Lyvonne, MSE - Editor, cover designer, photographer
Before joining RDR Publishers in 2004,Cleone was a mental health counselor, a writer, and a professional clown. She has a Masters in Education, Community Counseling from the University of Wisconsin. Working with authors, she brings her counseling background and writing skills into her editorial work. A cover designer, she is also an avid photographer, does photo layouts for inside the books, and periodically contributes one of her own photos to a book cover. She is a passionate cheerleader for all of her authors to market their books widely with courage and confidence, often feeding them ideas and assistance.

Comments authors have made about Cleone:

"Thank you, Cleone, for all your professional help, your support of my
little project, and the enthusiasm you brought to the table. I wish I
had another book in me, just so I could go through that experience
again." - Sara Burns
"My very special thanks to Cleone Lyvonne who helped me co-write this book. Her ability to make clinical material sound very user-friendly and understandable is outstanding." - Dr. Machiel Kennedy
"Cleone Lyvonne, Editor, always pleasant and helpful, stayed focused to help us present, in the most interesting manner, a story that begged to be told." - Judge Rohulamin Quander

Barbara Kruger - Typesetter, editor, book designer
For 15 years, Barbara worked for various graphics houses, and she worked in the software manual department of a computer manufacturer for 13 years. Literally, she has done it all: inputting, editing, writing, designing, cutting, pasting, proofreading, and managing other typesetters and editors.

Marilyn Yasmine Nadel - Book designer
Yasmine has worked as a book designer, writer, illustrator, and graphics production coordinator for over a decade. She earned a B.A. degree in Fine Arts from the University of Washington and a Graphic Design degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz Extension. Yasmine is a dedicated, talented, and hard-working freelance contractor for Robert D. Reed Publishers. She also works on books directly with some of the publishers' authors.

Jessica Bryan - Editor, writer, proofreader
After 25 years of working with attorneys as a legal secretary, paralegal, and an office manager, Jessica decided that she would rather read books than legal documents. She has been editing manuscripts and writing marketing materials for Robert D. Reed Publishers. One author, Lloyd Wright, praised Jessica as being "a light at the end of the book production tunnel!" Another author, Richard Bellush, Jr., wrote this glowing endorsement: "Jessica has improved my book substantially!"

Grant Prescott - Creative Director, Graphic Designer, IS Manager
Grant has more than twenty-five years of experience in Data/Telecommunications and business management. Fifteen years were spent working in the Silicon Valley with such companies as Adobe Systems, Novell Inc., Netscape Communications, NASA Ames Research Center, Acuson, Excelan and Harman Interactive. He has worked for the US military, government contractor, non-profit and for-profit companies. He has worked in the radio communications, data communications, telecommunications, Cable TV installation, Broadband modem installation, newspaper publishing and book publishing industries in his very varied career. As owner of Coast Computer Consulting and Photography for the past ten years, he has worked as a Business Consultant, web designer, search engine consultant, graphic designer, and commercial photographer.

Leslie Shelton, Ph.D. - Editor, graphic artist, and administrator
Leslie recently completed her Ph.D. in Transformative Learning and Educational Psychology from Union Institute and University. She holds a Graphics Design certificate from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Her M.A. degree is in Student Personnel and Counseling and her B.S. degree is in Health and Physical Education. Leslie has worked as an educator, administrator, graphic artist, and counselor for 30 years. She was the Director of Project Read (an adult literacy program in the South San Francisco Public Library) for 14 years. Leslie now wears a variety of hats, providing administrative support; design, editorial, and marketing services; and project coordination for Robert D. Reed Publishers. She has illustrated a children's book, The Tree Deva: A Legend from India, and written several books on effective learning strategies, leadership development, making learning fun, and improving literacy instruction for adults. Leslie is listed in Who's Who in Education and Who's Who in America.

Ruth Schenkel - Editor, proofreader, administrative and computer assistant
Ruth edits and proofreads manuscripts and marketing materials with style and grace, while providing high-quality administrative support and computer services for Robert D. Reed Publishers. She is working on a B.A. degree in Linguistics at Wellesley College in MA, while taking additional, challenging classes at MIT. Ruth is fluent in French and speaks Mandarin, thanks to her dedicated parents who sent her to the finest schools and on worldwide adventures. Her father instilled a love of books by taking her to various libraries since she was young. Ruth's polished English grammar skills come in handy in the publishing business. She is also a gifted and patient tutor who helps students and others to improve their writing.

Malcolm Kushner - Creative and humor consultant
Malcolm is an internationally acclaimed expert on humor and communication, and one clever guy. A co-creator of the humor exhibit at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, he is the author of The Light Touch: How to Use Humor for Business Success and Public Speaking For Dummies. His radio and TV appearances include "The Larry King Show," Voice of America, C-SPAN, CNBC, and CNN. Malcolm was profiled in Time Magazine, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. The Wall Street Journal has called him "Irrepressible." Prior to becoming "America's Favorite Humor Consultant," Malcolm practiced law with a major firm in San Francisco.

Kismet Oz - Internet marketing and public relations
Kismet is responsible for disseminating newsworthy information for Robert D. Reed Publishers about their authors and books. She gets the word out (through the Internet and mass mailings and faxes) to magazines and newspapers, local and national radio and television talk shows, organizations, companies, and websites. She develops specialty media lists, which are used to distribute review copies and publicity materials.

Lawrence Cleenewerck - Designer, and MIS director
Lawrence has worked as a Manager of Information Systems (MIS) Director and a Senior Systems Engineer for several major corporations. He has experience in Software Localization and Quality Control. He is an expert contributor to Europe's number one magazine for networking professionals, 01Networks, and he is an expert in Internet security and database systems.

He earned an A.A. degree in Accounting, an A.A. in International Trade, an A.A. in Computer Science, and a B.S. degree in Technological Marketing. He is one of the few computer professionals to hold the highest level of certification from Novell and Microsoft. His professional certifications are: Master Certified Network Engineer; Certified Novell Instructor Level I and II; Unix System V Certified Engineer; Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer; and Microsoft Certified Trainer.
Lawrence was born in Montpellier, France, and he grew up in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. His most recent achievement was to become ordained as a minister, and he and his wife currently reside and work in Southern Oregon.

Katherine Hyde - Book editor and designer
With over 20 years experience in book publishing, Katherine has worked as an editor, copyeditor, proofreader, book designer, and typesetter. For several years, she has been involved in book production as a freelance contractor with Robert D. Reed Publishers. She is a member of Bookbuilders West and Bay Area Editors' Forum.