Julie Gianelloni Connor, founder of Bayou City Press, served for 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service before retiring to Houston and starting Bayou City Press. As a diplomat, Julie had nine overseas tours: Israel (twice), Paraguay, Guatemala, Indonesia, Colombia (twice), Malaysia, and Chile. Interspersed with her overseas tours were assignments in Washington, DC, for the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) and the U.S. Department of State. She has also lived and worked in Portugal, Spain, and England, besides visiting many other countries. Julie received her B. A. in English and history from Rice University, an M.A. in creative writing from the University of Houston, and an M.S. in National Security Studies from the National War College in Washington, DC. Email Publishing@BayouCityPress.com. Visit Julie Gianelloni Connor’s Camino for Boomers blog.
Hi! My name is Luke Walker, and I’ve been an avid writer and reader all my life. I received a B.A. in English from Duke University, where I wrote my thesis on the novels and stories of Cormac McCarthy and D.H. Lawrence, with a primary focus on their works set in the American West. I went on to obtain an M.A. from Columbia University, where my studies centered on the writing of the Japanese author Yukio Mishima.
I worked as a content director and copywriter at start-ups for a number of years, but I’m making a big change and am now pursuing a career in the publishing industry! I love writing fiction, editing fiction, and working with authors, so joining Bayou City Press is a dream come true.
When I’m not writing or getting lost in a great book, you can usually find me at the dog park with my pug, Umi, or playing board games with friends. (One of my current favorites is a haunted mansion game called Betrayal at The House on The Hill.)
Good literature has the power to change the world. Let’s craft something beautiful together!
We’re delighted to introduce the newest member of Bayou City Press, our Administrative Assistant, Meylin Fuentes. Though still a student, Meylin has previously worked as an ophthalmic technician. She hopes eventually to be a doctor in neuropathology. Outside of studying and work, she has a deep appreciation for vintage stores and the many surprises they offer. She enjoys antiquing and thrifting, especially when it comes to vinyls and jewelry. Music is another passion—she’s a fan of classic sounds, including Bread and Doris Day. You can often find her visiting record shops across Texas, searching for albums to complete her collection. We’re thrilled to have her on the team and look forward to all the help she will give us in administrative tasks.
BCP staff photographer, Robert Connor, has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Robert worked in engineering and construction but is now happily retired. Robert has traveled to all the continents and has persued photography as a hobby for 50+ years. He resides in Houston with his wife, Sue Jean.