Johanna M. (Van der Zeijst) Bates: President and Founder of 4th Floor Press, Inc.
Johanna M. (Van der Zeijst) Bates was born in The Netherlands and came to Canada as a young child. Johanna graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in English in 1968 and then in law in 1971. She articled with Canadian Pacific Enterprises and has been a member of the Alberta Bar for many years. Johanna taught business law at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Management to both undergraduate and MBA students. During that time, she won the Master Professor and the Superior Professor award several times. Ms. (Van der Zeijst) Bates currently serves on the board of three of Canada's top companies.
Johanna M. Bates Literary Consultants, Inc. was originally incorporated in 1981. After having written four bestsellers, Johanna was consulted on innumerable occasions about writing and the consulting company is the result. In 2004, 4th Floor Press, Inc. was incorporated in order to deal with the increasing demand for legacy publishing (biographies written by ordinary people) and self-publishing in all forms. The gruelling nature of publishing and all its attendant complexity is simplified for clients as they wander through this maze.
Johanna is the mother of four children and retains citizenship in both Canada and The Netherlands.
Anne Bougie, Vice President
A lifelong Calgary resident, Anne Bougie obtained her diploma in commercial baking from The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1996 and then began studying English, a subject she had always excelled in. The booming economy of Calgary placed her into a career segue. She operated a very successful restaurant starting in 1997. Throughout this development, Anne continued with her first love--writing. She wrote her first novel and it was quickly picked up by the agency that she now consults for. Since leaving the restaurant industry behind, Anne now concentrates on the agency's clients, production of 4th Floor Press, Inc. books, and her own writing. In addition to being vice president of 4th Floor Press Inc, Anne is a literary agent for Johanna M. Bates Literary Consultants.
Shawn England
Shawn England, MA (History, University of Calgary); Historian and Editor
In addition to working as an editor at 4th Floor Press, Inc. and Johanna M. Bates Literary Consultants, Inc., Shawn is currently completing a doctoral dissertation in history at Arizona State University. His ongoing investigations have taken him to a number of archival repositories in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Shawn will also serve as a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary during the 2004-2005 academic year. Although his dissertation is specific to Latin America, Shawn's editorial experience is wide ranging. He has been certified by Arizona State University's scholarly publishing program, and he has extensive experience as an editor, indexer and proof reader. Specializing in all forms of non-fiction, he has also handled a wide range of published fiction including novels, short story collections and poetry. Shawn's love of literary expression compels him to help others bring out the best in their writing.
Wendy Lukasiewicz, Editor
Wendy Lukasiewicz obtained her Bachelor of Education in 1997, with an additional year of English study in 1999. Since then, Mrs. Lukasiewicz has continued to upgrade her editing skills with more indepth courses and seminars. Eight years employment with Johanna M. Bates Literary Consultants, Inc., have also contributed to Wendy's editing skills through professional experience and a working relationship with various authors. She is dedicated to improving any piece of writing, no matter the genre, and works diligently toward that end.
