Meet the LBB Team
SHAWN REILLY SIMMONS
PUBLISHER, MANAGING EDITOR & CEO
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Shawn Reilly Simmons is the Publisher & Chief Executive Officer of Level Best Books. She has an extensive background in developmental and line editing and creates most of the cover art for Level Best’s books. Shawn serves on the National Board of Bouchercon and will be co-chair of the event in 2027. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, the International Thriller Writers, and the Crime Writers’ Association in the UK, and is also the Agatha and Anthony Award-winning author of the Red Carpet Catering Mysteries, as well as over thirty published short stories. www.ShawnReillySimmons.com
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SHELLY DICKSON CARR
CO-PUBLISHER
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Shelly Dickson Carr is an award-winning author known for blending historical fiction and mystery. Granddaughter of legendary mystery writer John Dickson Carr, she continues the family tradition with suspenseful, time-traveling tales. Her debut novel, Ripped: A Jack the Ripper Time-Travel Thriller, won multiple Ben Franklin Awards. A Derringer Award finalist, she also writes acclaimed short fiction. Shelly holds an MFA in Writing and is a founding member of the MASTERPIECE TRUST. She serves on arts and education boards in Boston. Learn more at www.ShellyDicksonCarr.com.
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DEBORAH WELL
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
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​Deb works as an editor, marketing consultant, digital strategist, and operations manager. She was the editor for the short story anthology Celluloid Crimes, published in 2025. She previously worked for over two decades in finance, with responsibilities including marketing, reporting, and database administration. Before that, she worked for several years in Consulting. She has a BA in English from Sonoma State University in California, and two certifications from Boston University, one in Network Administration and one in Digital Filmmaking. Deb lives in Boston with her partner, author Gabriel Valjan, and their much-memed tuxedo cat, Munchkin.
JUSTIN M. KISKA
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
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Justin is an accomplished marketing and brand strategy leader with more than two decades of executive experience in the entertainment industry. As one of the owners and Managing Director of The Way Off Broadway Theatre from 2002–2025, he was responsible for overseeing the theatre’s operations, including strategic planning, marketing campaigns, audience development, and brand management. Having produced over a hundred stage productions, Justin says he is now happily “retired” from the theatre—though he still finds time to direct the occasional mystery, particularly those inspired by Agatha Christie. A writer himself, Justin is the author of the award-nominated Parker City Mysteries. www.JustinKiska.com
MATT JOHNSTON
GENERAL COUNSEL
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​Matt is a Frederick, Maryland-based attorney who serves as Level Best Books' outside General Counsel. His private practice focuses on serving small businesses by providing practical, actionable, understandable legal and business advice through outsourced general counsel models and plans. In addition to his law practice, Matt is also a part owner of a music production company but doesn’t, and has never, played an instrument. When not lawyering, Matt can be found playing, watching, refereeing, screaming, arguing, or occasionally crying about soccer. He lives in Frederick, with his wife, Rebecca. Matt can be reached online at www.mattthelawyer.com.​​
GWYN JORDAN
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITOR
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After years of working in the corporate world, Gwyn decided to transition to her true calling. She is the founder of Gold Dust Literary Agency, Gold Dust Editing & Book Promotions, and FiBs, a storytelling platform. She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master of Business Administration. Watching movies, traveling, and going to stage plays are some of her favorite pastimes. www.golddustediting.com
REDACTED
SENIOR PRODUCTION EDITOR
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Rita is a very private person who likes to do her work from her apartment in New Jersey without anyone bothering her. She has been with Level Best since Shawn took over and looks forward to many more years to come.
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CHANDLER JORDAN
JUNIOR PRODUCTION EDITOR
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Chandler is an aspiring fantasy author born and raised in Texas, United States. From an early age, he developed a deep love for art, music, and—most of all—gaming, especially role-playing and adventure games rich with magic, exploration, and worldbuilding. Those lifelong passions continue to shape his creative voice, inspiring the fantasy worlds and stories he brings to life through his writing.
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A.J. HEAD
PODCAST PRODUCER, Level Best Productions
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A.J. is a Washington, DC–based marketing specialist, digital media professional, and podcast producer from Detroit, Michigan, with over 20 years of experience in programming and promotion. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Ethnomusicology, A.J. brings a finely tuned ear to creating thoughtful, polished digital content.
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