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Who We Are

Authors Unbound is a full-service author event agency dedicated to creating powerful literary experiences for authors and hosts alike. We understand how difficult it can be to navigate the terrain of identifying a possible speaker, arranging the invitation, creating rewarding programming, and all the details in between. With over twenty years of experience in coordinating literary events – particularly Common Read programs and signature author series – we serve as thoughtful and responsive advocates for both authors and their audiences.

Christie Hinrichs

Director & Events Agent

Christie wants to live in a world filled with books that come bundled with extra dark chocolate, where libraries and bookstores are the beating heart of every community, and readers are empowered to transform ideas into action. She has been working with authors and literary event hosts for more than 20 years, first as the coordinator for several Visiting Author/Artist Series, later as an independent booking agent, and then speaker agency director. These days, the most rewarding part of her career is seeing authors meet their audiences, and helping hosts design quality book-focused events that enrich and inspire their communities. Before founding A|U, Christie did her graduate work in Scotland (MLitt) and Alaska (MFA, Fiction), and settled with her partner in beautiful Bend, Oregon (PS: it’s not that great, don’t move here). She spends her spare time pulling the weeds of an overly-ambitious hobby farm, seeking out unmarked trails and hidden mountain lakes, and driving around her son, 14 year old Gus.

Direct: (541) 200-7388
Cell: (541) 241-4171

Haley is eager to connect authors and communities together for memorable events. She adds a special sparkle with over 15 years of experience in customer service, administrative management and a life-long love of literature. In her free time, you will find Haley with her family enjoying the outdoors — camping, hiking or riding around in their Jeep.

Direct: (541) 234-8002

Haley Kastner

Events Agent

Rebecca Miller

Events Agent & Educator Liaison

Rebecca is a lifelong reader and writer, and loves all things literary from exceptional poetry, to hearing authors speak about their books and their process, to playing word games. Rebecca spent years in technical writing and desktop publishing, as well as being an early childhood educator. Rebecca loves hiking, SUP, kayaking, and camping. She lives with her sweet kitty Bo and enjoys time with friends, as well as down time exploring books, movies and her own writing.

Direct: (541) 665-8533

Jenn is a lifelong traveler, lover of books and film, in particular Memoirs and documentaries. She has over 15 years of experience in the travel industry and event itinerary planning. Jenn looks forward to bring her skills to the A|U team and supporting the authors the agency serves. Jenn spends her free time playing in the mountains of Central Oregon with her wife, traveling and, of course, reading.

Direct: (541) 213-2488

Jenn Hofmann

Event Designer

Jeni Shirley

Accounting & Contracts Manager

A great day for Jeni is spending hours at the library reading, or watching movies. She loves stories, because they offer opportunities for exploration into imaginative narratives. In a fast-paced same-day-downloadable-consumable world, she enjoys the slower more purposeful things, such as taking a good book to a quiet place in nature, browsing movies in the last Blockbuster, hanging out with her husband and pets, cooking from scratch, and supporting local businesses. With a passion for books – both the kinds one reads, and the kinds that keep administrative stuff organized – Jeni is especially excited to spend her working hours immersed in both of those things by being part of the team at Authors Unbound.

Direct: (541) 230-5442

Coming from the events industry, Allie brings with her experience in sales, event planning, and keeping a lot of balls in the air at once. Reading has been a lifelong journey of fun and adventure for her. When she opens a book, she still feels like the little girl reading by flashlight into the wee hours of the morning! She is someone who’s excited by novel experiences and a lazy weekend at home in equal measure. Life is about balance! A people person through and through, the most rewarding part of Allie’s work at A|U is collaborating with the team to delight our hosts and authors!

Direct: (541) 201-8465
allie@authorsunbound.com

Allie Arkema

Events Agent

Brigitte Lewis

Special Projects & Support

Brigitte considers herself lucky to combine her passion for the power of story with her dedication to getting the details right in her role at A|U. She has an MFA in creative writing and 15 plus years of administrative experience that includes marketing, event planning, and client support. When not working (or reading), you can find her hiking, cross country skiing, or listening to records on her upright 1980s player.

Amy comes to AU with a background in project management and executive scheduling. A lifelong reader, she loves getting lost in a good book. Day to day life can move so quickly that she relishes slowing down and diving into a great story.  Amy loves to SUP, kayak, hike and run… but she especially loves baking any and all desserts. She has lived in Bend for almost a decade with her partner, their three young boys, and an English Bulldog named Grizzy.

Direct: (541) 797-2217
amy@authorsunbound.com

Amy Loomis

Administrative Manager

Emily Boyd

Event Designer

A true millennial, Emily came of age with Harry Potter and the Scholastic Book Fair – reading has been a passion of hers ever since. Emily comes with a diverse skillset, including events, program management, sales development, and political campaigns. Emily is a recent transplant to Bend (try not to hold it against her) with her partner Matt and their dog Ragtag. In her free time you can find Emily snowboarding, paddleboarding, working on puzzles, and, you guessed it, reading!

Direct: (541) 200-7792
emily@authorsunbound.com

Selah is a writer with a background in journalism, marketing, and psychology. This gives her a unique perspective of the human mind and the way that we build community. Selah finds joy in the details, and in working behind the scenes to create impactful stories. Since the moment she learned to read, Selah has had her nose in a book. Reading has brought her a love for adventure, self-reflection, new perspectives, and deep, introspective conversations. When she’s not reading or writing, Selah can be found traveling without an itinerary, cooking without a recipe, or trying to surf without any know-how.

Direct: (541) 625-0744
selah@authorsunbound.com 

Selah Moore

Content & Outreach Manager

Andy Dobson

Marketing & Performance Consultant

Andy spent his early career in Los Angeles, as an actor and production professional. Turning his sights toward marketing, design and performance consulting, Andy lends his talents in creating vibrant and impactful website content, publicity assets, and performance design. Andy currently lives in Oregon with his husband and their furry kids, Griffin and Ivan.