Meet Our Staff

The staff at Prufrock Press strives to ensure that our readers love the books we publish. From unique ideas for the classroom, to trusted textbooks in gifted education, to an award-winning children’s magazine, our products reflect our staff's varied experiences in education, editing, design, and customer service. When a reader holds a book by Prufrock Press, he or she knows that the information found in that book truly reflects the needs of teachers and parents of gifted, advanced, and special needs learners.

Editorial and Marketing Office, Austin, TX

Joel McIntosh, Publisher

Right out of college, I took a job as a high school English teacher in a little rural community in Texas. At some point after my first couple of years there, my principal asked me to participate in developing a program for our gifted students. A group of other teachers who were building the program and I began looking for materials and ideas that were practical and challenged our brightest students. As a group, we attended several gifted education conferences and discovered lots of teachers who were presenting about great ideas and innovative classroom practices. At the time, I remember thinking, “Someone needs to pull together these ideas and get them in the hands of others.” At some point, I realized that “someone” could be me. Prufrock Press didn’t become a realized dream for a few more years. I continued teaching and completed a master’s degree in gifted education at Baylor University. All the while, I was laying the foundations of Prufrock Press—more as a hobby at first—as a service to my fellow teachers. However, once I finished my graduate work, I made Prufrock Press my full-time profession. The positive impact I am able to make through the work we do at Prufrock Press is an ongoing source of pride for me. Although we’ve expanded our focus to include support for parents and kids with special needs, the original mission to share “great ideas and innovative classroom practices” is as vibrant today as it was more than 20 years ago.

Lacy Compton, Editor and Promotions Coordinator

Lacy Compton joined Prufrock Press in 2005 after working as a marketing assistant and university newspaper editor in Waco, TX. Combining those experiences, she currently serves Prufrock by editing the company’s trade books, managing Creative Kids magazine, and organizing promotions for all of Prufrock’s titles. She loves watching a book develop from a spark of an idea to a finished product to a best-selling title. Lacy received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Baylor University and her master’s degree in English, with a specialization in children’s literature, from Texas State University. Outside of Prufrock, she instructs distance-learning courses in children’s literature to fourth and fifth graders through Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. Lacy lives in Austin with her husband, daughter, yellow lab, mountains of children’s books, and many unfinished sewing and crafting projects.

Bethany Johnsen, Assistant Editor and Permissions Coordinator

Bethany Johnsen joined Prufrock as the staff’s editorial and production assistant in July of 2012. Now as an assistant editor she manages a wide range of responsibilities, including editing manuscripts, corresponding with authors, processing permissions requests, and assisting with Creative Kids magazine. A recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a double major in English and philosophy, Bethany’s prior experience includes working as a curatorial assistant at UT’s Harry Ransom Center, as an editor at a variety of student publications, and as a writing tutor and undergraduate teaching assistant. A lifelong reader (and fan of 18th-century Gothic and sentimental literature), Bethany is excited to learn the process behind publishing books. She also enjoys writing, hiking, and cooking strange things without a recipe.

Rachel Taliaferro, Assistant Editor

Rachel Taliaferro joined Prufrock in March 2013 as an assistant editor, where she edits manuscripts, develops projects with current and potential authors, and conceptualizes new books and education resources. After graduating in May 2012 from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in journalism and French, Rachel got her publishing start as an editorial assistant at the Austin-based publisher Greenleaf Book Group. Her past experience includes substitute teaching for the KIPP charter schools in Austin and serving as a staff member at UT’s student-run radio station, KVRX. A fan of Southern Gothic and French Enlightenment literature, Rachel also has bookshelves dedicated to Jorge Luis Borges, Graham Greene, Roberto Bolaño, and Pauline Kael. Rachel enjoys swimming on hot days, rooting for the Texas Rangers, arguing about movies, listening to soul, and waking up late on Sundays. She lives in Austin with her boyfriend and their maverick Catahoula puppy, Tex.

Raquel Trevino, Graphic Designer and Production Coordinator

Raquel Trevino stepped into a busy position when she joined Prufrock Press as the company’s Production Coordinator and only in-house graphic designer in the fall of 2010. As she puts it, there’s “never a dull moment” working for Prufrock. Raquel designs all of the company’s beautiful covers, book layouts, and marketing materials, in addition to coordinating with freelance designers and illustrators and keeping the editors on schedule for production deadlines. With more than 15 years of design and print production experience and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, Raquel has been vital in re-energizing the design concept of Prufrock’s product line. Outside of work, Raquel loves having the opportunity to make things beautiful, dabbling in all forms of arts and crafts from crocheting to quilting. She’s also the Austin office’s unofficial party planner!

Allegra Denbo, Junior Graphic Designer

Allegra Denbo is one of the newest members of the Prufrock family, joining the company in March 2013 as the junior graphic designer. Utilizing her bachelor’s of fine arts degree in communication design from Texas Tech University, she designs marketing materials and book layouts, formats electronic books, prepares book samples, and fulfills image requests. She loves the challenging and collaborative environment at Prufrock, where she has the freedom to hone her creative intuitions. Having wanted to be a teacher before discovering graphic design, Allegra’s past experience includes various volunteer positions at youth camps and primary schools since high school. When not reading favorites Sherlock Holmes or Pride and Prejudice, Allegra is a hopeless science fiction junkie who is also a travel lover, crafting addict, and self-proclaimed movie critic.

Business Office, Waco, TX

Ginny Bates, Office Manager

As the Office Manager, Ginny Bates is a key part of Prufrock Press, managing many of the company’s day-to-day business needs including royalties, accounts payable, and inventory control. Having worked at Prufrock for more than 16 years, Ginny obviously enjoys her job, but her favorite part has been the opportunity to work under “a great boss who sets the tone for a great working atmosphere where everyone works together and everyone matters.” Originally from Rhode Island, Ginny has lived in Texas for the past 30 years and currently lives in Hewitt, TX, with her husband and two dogs, where she paints, reads, and spends time with her family and friends. Having once tried her hand at substitute teaching for a first-grade class, Ginny gives teachers “applause for their hard work and dedication.”

Shannon Gross, Customer Service

Shannon Gross joined Prufrock Press more than 9 years ago, where she serves as the company’s friendly voice for customers’ needs. Shannon also processes all of Prufrock’s many book orders. What she likes most about working at Prufrock is that the staff works together so well that it feels like family. Shannon currently lives in Hewitt, TX, with her husband and two daughters. There, she likes to hang out with her family and read (she especially loves the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers).

Candace Stockhausen, Customer Service

Candace Stockhausen joined the Prufrock customer service team in September 2012. A graduate of Crawford High School, Candace takes care of the company’s inventory, Amazon orders, receiving, and Creative Kids subscriptions. She notes that she is proud to be part of the Prufrock team and enjoys the commitment the staff has toward customers, along with their “patience and understanding” when it comes to helping others. Candace lives in Crawford, TX, with her son, with whom she enjoys going to the park or movies and spending time with friends and family.

Lindsey Bates, Customer Service

Lindsey Bates began her career at Prufrock Press almost 5 years ago as an intern for the business office. She happily enjoys handling the Creative Kids orders and fulfillment, bids for vendors, and any extra customer service projects thrown her way. She loves the team atmosphere working at Prufrock provides, noting that “everyone has to be on the same page and it works really well.” Outside of work, Lindsey studies photography at a correspondence school out of New York City and is excited to be graduating soon. Her passion for photography goes beyond schoolwork, as she also works as a photographer in Waco, where she enjoys relaxing with close friends.

Sandy Blades, Shipping and Receiving

Sandy Blades has been at Prufrock for 2 years, where he assists with the fulfillment of orders and the shipping and receiving of books and other materials. He notes that he enjoys the “great working environment” at Prufrock’s Waco office.