How a Book Finds Its Look: A Q&A with Rachel Lopez Metzger

From trim size to typography, every detail of a book tells a story. At The Collective Book Studio, Design Director Rachel Lopez Metzger leads the visual direction behind titles that are as striking as they are thoughtfully made. With a foundation in the arts and a passion for design-forward publishing, she brings each project to life through a balance of creativity and collaboration. In this Q&A, she shares her path into book design, her approach to shaping standout titles, and...

From a Lightbulb to a Torch

At the end of 2018, I came across a Facebook post from Angela Engel, my former colleague at Chronicle Books, at just the right moment. I had stepped away from publishing to move back to my hometown and start a family. I was lucky to have those years with my boys. I went to baby groups. I sat on the floor a lot. I folded tiny laundry. I read picture books aloud in silly voices. But time felt like molasses,...

The Storyteller’s Burden: When Fiction and Friction Collide

I am a Minnesotan through and through, and this moment feels deeply personal. Recently, Publishers Weekly shared how publishers across Minnesota and beyond are responding to the recent violence and immigration enforcement actions by focusing on what we do best—getting books and culturally responsive resources into the hands of children and families who need them most. As publishers, avid readers, and book lovers, we spend our days championing empathy, safety, belonging, and equality. But in our current political landscape, those...

Behind the Book: Rainbow Colors

As you have probably heard other writers say, I didn’t know what my story would be until I was well into writing it. However, I did know I loved rainbows. I love the promise a rainbow can bring. I love the surprise of finding one suddenly spread across the sky. I love how they feel like magic. As I wrote, I realized that what I wanted to convey was the joy of being immersed in each beautiful color, and most...

Building What Lasts: Five Things We’re Proud Of in 2025

As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what it means to build a company and publish books with intention. Long before “hybrid publishing” became a buzzword, partnership-based models quietly paired professional publishing expertise with shared investment and author agency. At The Collective Book Studio, partnership publishing is the foundation of everything we do. We believe authors should remain active participants in their projects, supported by experienced teams who care deeply about quality, strategy, and fostering...

Friday Night Done Right

To wrap up our seasonal cocktail and appetizer series with The Collective Book Studio, I wanted to end on a high note—something bold, celebratory, and perfect for gathering. For this final pairing, I’m featuring a cocktail from Friday Night Cocktails by A.J. Dean, alongside one of my most requested appetizers from The Modern Hippie Table. Enter the Blood Orange Margarita—a drink that instantly sets the tone for a festive evening. Made with vibrant blood orange, this cocktail delivers a rich blush-red hue that feels right at home during...