Meet the Team

  • SAMANTHA CABRERA, FOUNDER, PUBLISHER

    Samantha Cabrera founded Calla Press Publishing LLC in 2023 after running as a literary journal for seven years. She holds her MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University and her ELAR (7-12) teaching certification. Her work is published at Believe.com, Faithlife Women, Christian Woman, The Black Barn Online, among others. An excerpt from her memoir, The Doctor’s Wife, won honorable mention at the WriterCon 2021 contest. Before dedicating herself to motherhood and publishing, she was an English teacher at a Christian private school for two years. She lives in the Texas countryside along with her husband and three children. A Child’s First Book of Bible Words is her first children’s book. A lovely fact: she wrote a letter in ninth grade to her Nana stating she dreamed of starting a publishing company. Her Nana still has that letter.

  • SABRINA REAGAN, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

    Sabrina Reagan holds her MA in Creative Writing from Northumbria University. Passionate about Christian book publishing, literature, and photography, she has previously worked at a national wedding magazine, book publicity agency, and in education before starting her photography business. Now as a mother, her heart for the Christian book publishing landscape has only grown stronger. She strives to fill her home with books to encourage her family's faith that are full of truth and beauty. She currently lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband and three children.

  • SHANNAN MURRAY, BOOK EDITOR

    Shannan Murray holds a B.A. in Professional Writing & Publishing and English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Graced with a love for reading and writing from a young age, she has long felt called by the Lord to find her place in the beautiful world of books and publishing. Her experience in marketing, blog writing, and journalism has opened doors for Shannan to nurture narratives that encourage stillness, inspire reflection, and draw readers closer to the One who created them. She believes storytelling is a sacred art—a profound responsibility from God to share truth, beauty, and hope. Above all, her greatest joy is helping others tell their stories with grace and pointing them back to who the Lord truly made them to be.

  • CODI BEAR, LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

    Codi Bear is a children’s illustrator whose work continually reflects her Christian faith and her commitment to meaningful storytelling. Her affinity for woodland creatures, earthy palettes, and autumnal themes informs her style, lending innocence and nostalgia to her whimsical, fall-inspired illustrations. Codi is currently co-writing a children’s series with her husband, developing wholesome stories for young readers and their families.

  • Leslie Anne Bustard, Former Communications Coordinator

    Leslie Anne Bustard was awakened on Mercy’s shores just before sunrise, on April 14, 2023, following a three-year battle with breast cancer and melanoma.

    Leslie was our former communications coordinator and contributor when Calla Press Publishing was a pure literary journal. She worked with us for a year and humbly directed us to wonderful literary connections we wouldn’t have had without her. It was an honor to work with dear Leslie. She was incredibly poetic, an incredible editor, and her passion for children’s literature inspired us all.

    Her first book was Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children (Square Halo Books, 2022). You can find more about Leslie at PoeticUnderpinnings.com.

Esther Gonzales

Esther is a poet, writer, journalist, graduate student, and Sunday school teacher from New Jersey. She has loved writing since she can remember; she believes everyone has a story to tell and if we look closely enough, we can see God’s love and grace woven throughout our lives. Through her writing, she hopes to give others a glimpse of who God is by sharing all the ways He has been there for her. With a background in journalism, she hopes to utilize her skills to help others find their voice and tell their story.

MEET OUR ASSISTANT BOOK EDITORS

Meghan Mcdonagh

Language and visual storytelling have always been deeply rooted parts of Meghan’s life. With a background in graphic design and a lifelong passion for writing, she loves creating content to inspire others—whether it’s a powerful message to broaden someone’s point of view, or sharing a small moment of beauty in nature. She loves the ability of words to bring people together and support others through difficult seasons. Nothing provides her with greater joy than sharing God’s message to encourage how people see and engage with the world around them.

Michelle Stankos

Michelle Stankos is a former elementary teacher turned writer. Michelle, an avid reader, has always had a passion for the written word and recently self-published two children's picture books, Mr.Bailey's Store and Patience Pants.  Her first poem, "September Rain," was published in the Calla Press Literary Journal Living in Wonder. Michelle has recently felt led to explore other areas of writing through editing.  She currently lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, dog, and cat.