Click here to view the Stirred Stories Media Kit. In addition to company and team information, you’ll find digital assets such as headshots and book covers.

Stirred Stories co-founder Kelsea Johnson joined other women of color as a panelist for the Breaking Down Barriers: Equity in Publishing panel at the "Publish Now!" conference hosted by The Writer’s Center. To learn more about the conference and the programming, click here.

Kelsea Johnson, co-founder, will be speaking at the 2025 Washington Writers Conference on a panel called, “What Do (Local) Editors Want? Maybe Just What You’re Writing.” The conference will take place from May 2-3, 2025 at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. To learn more about the conference and programming, click here. 

Katherine Haas, author of Little Jade, was invited to JF Books, a small bookstore in Washington, D.C. known for its vast collection of Chinese-language books. During the talk, called “What’s Old is New: Why the U.S. is Still a Beacon of Free Speech,” Katherine read excerpts from her memoir, discussed her life as a multicultural woman, and explored the history and stigmas of China-America relations. Watch Katherine's event at JF books here.

Indie press Stirred Stories proudly published four new titles in 2024, in continuation of its commitment to Publishing For a Better Tomorrow. The titles, which encompass children’s and young adult genres, are: Baking Bread with Jiddo by Carrie Maslen, Little Jade by Katherine Haas, Lakshmi at the Lake by Avani Chhaya, and A Friend Like Lucy by Lindsay Filcik. Check out the titles here.

Co-founder Kelsea Johnson and Publicity Representative Liliann Albelbaisi presented on the Stirred Stories method at the 14th annual conference, hosted by GW University. Authenticity as Ethos: Why Diversity Alone Won't Build Integrity in Publishing can be found here at 23 minutes, with Q&A beginning at 45 minutes.

In her newsletter, Toll writes, “Despite the madness that is our current political life, DC is more than a company town. Fortunately, we have a vibrant book culture. I’m so happy to introduce you to one of our newest publishers—Stirred Stories, founded by DC’s own Kelsea Johnson.”

Hosted by DC Writers Room, literary folk gathered to learn about Stirred Stories, an indie press with roots in Washington, DC.

Carrie Maslen, author of Baking Bread with Jiddo, and Katherine Haas, author of Little Jade, were at the Baltimore Book Festival, marking Stirred Stories’ third time participating in the community event at the invitation of Baltimore Read Aloud. Haas was featured in conversation with author Carole Boston Weatherford in a program called “Memoir for Young Readers.” Maslen was a part of the “Storied Art” table where she crafted chef hats with curious young readers. Here is a clip of the two authors and Stirred Stories co-founder Kelsea Johnson.

“This tender, expressive debut explores the loving bonds formed between generations,” writes Mary Quattlebaum. Connect with Carrie here.

When asked about a recent Stirred Stories project, Johnson says, “Little Jade: Memoir of a Young Eurasian Immigrant is our first young adult book. It chronicles the life of Katherine Haas, who immigrated to the U.S. on a ship when she was eleven.” Read the interview here.

“Many thanks to Caroline Bock for inviting me to judge the annual short story and essay contest by Bethesda Magazine. What a treat it was to work alongside fellow judges, and to soak in the creative, well-crafted social commentaries by young people in the DC area,” Johnson says. Read the winning entries here.

“That’s why Yam partnered with Stirred Stories for his forthcoming children’s book. Co-founded by Kyle Porro, a Bergen County native, the independent publisher says ‘the same stories have repeatedly been told and we’re here to stir that up.’” Read the full article here.

Liliann graduated in May 2023 with a Masters in Publishing from George Washington’s College of Professional Studies. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide range of publications including local magazines, children’s publishers, and public policy periodicals. Hailing from Texas, Liliann believes that an effective storyteller will be able to pass along some of the most important morals, no matter the kind of story.  

Reading is Fundamental invited Stirred Stories co-founder Kelsea Johnson to cotribute to their blog. To learn more about “Amplifying underrepresented voices in the publishing world,” click here.

“We’re really excited to not just tell these marginalized stories, but to make them as authentic as possible.” Read the full article here.

Theodora Smiley Lacey and Tori Murphy, co-authors of the The Grocery Game, are featured in the article by Marsha A. Stotlz. The piece chronicles Theodora’s Civil Rights Movement efforts, and the shared commitment by Stirred Stories and both authors to elevate marginalized voices. Read here.