About Us:
Erik & Kristen Shaw (Owners)
Meet the team behind Black Vellum Premier Publishing Services - owners Erik and Kristen Shaw and their dedicated editor extraordinaire, Kailey Urbaniak! This small, family-owned business was born out of a desire to help authors share their stories without being ripped off by traditional publishing companies or overwhelmed by the daunting self-publishing process.
After returning from active duty in Iraq in 2005, Erik had a story to tell that found its first expression in multiple speaking engagements. Speaking gigs led to disappointing publishing proposals that promised only a tiny fraction of profits. With the help of an editor and Kristen's graphic design expertise, he decided to self-publish his own work and help other veterans do the same.
In 2012, Tactical 16 was born to further this mission to help veterans and first responders for whom writing can be a profound healing process and, when properly published, a means to generate an income. Under Erik's leadership, Tactical 16 helped these heroes-turned-authors successfully bring 23 books to market and consulted on countless projects not officially published under the Tactical 16 name.
Fast forward to 2021, when our dynamic duo established Black Vellum to make self-publishing accessible to a broader range of authors across many genres. They welcomed Kailey Urbaniak as editor and writer to round out the team and offer additional value to their clients. Kailey brings over five years of experience working with a wide range of authors and a master's degree in Publishing. Her services include proofreading, developmental editing, book coaching, ghostwriting, and publishing.
Although the name has changed and the team has grown, the company values remain the same: fair and honest pricing, high-quality work, excellent communication, and a deep commitment to helping authors achieve their publishing goals.
Whether you're an established writer or a first-time author, Black Vellum is here to help you bring your book to life. Don't settle for a lousy publishing deal - reach out to the experts who truly care. Contact us today, and let us help you make your book a reality!
Kailey Urbaniak (Editor Extraordinaire)
Kailey Urbaniak works as an editor and writer for Black Vellum Publishing. She was born and has lived most of her life in Colorado Springs. For as long as she can remember, she has always wanted to be a writer and professional reader; hence, she became an editor. After graduating with her bachelor’s in English Literature, she went on to study the industry and earned her master’s degree in Publishing from Western Colorado University.
For the past five years, she has worked closely with best-selling authors and first-time authors to edit, write, and publish a diverse range of projects including novels of all genres, short stories, blogs, and social media content.
When she is not writing, reading, or working with clients, she finds peace being outdoors and appreciating nature with her labradoodle, Charlie.
Her specialty is working with new authors who have a dream of publishing a book.
No matter where you are in your writing journey, she works with you to bring your story ideas all the way through to publication, whether that is by self-publishing or traditional publishing.
Her services include proofreading, developmental editing, book coaching, ghostwriting, and publishing.