The heartbeat behind Harbor & Stone Press.
Cassie Ryczek, Director of Editing
Cassie@HarborAndStonePress.com
Cassie is the Director of Editing here at Harbor & Stone Press. She is an EFA Certified Editor of Developmental Fiction, bringing years of hands-on experience helping authors refine their manuscripts with clarity, consistency, structure, and voice. Her passion lies in elevating stories, helping authors shape their arcs, strengthen their characters, and deliver manuscripts that feel intentional, immersive, and emotionally resonant.
Her work is rooted in supporting indie authors at every stage of the editorial process. From developmental edits to line-level refinement, my goal is to ensure every book is polished, powerful, and truly publication-ready. I believe the editing journey should feel supportive, collaborative, and transformative.
Outside of editing, Cassie is married with twin daughters who are national equestrian competitors. She loves reading a good book, staying active, and spending meaningful, quality time with her family. She is most fulfilled when surrounded by words, stories, nature, and the people she loves.
Alyssa Walker, CEO
Alyssa@HarborAndStonePress.com
Alyssa Green is the Owner and Founder of Harbor & Stone Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to helping authors bring meaningful stories to life and successfully reach their audiences.
With more than seven years of experience as a professional storyteller and public speaker, Alyssa has traveled extensively across the United States and Canada sharing stories that connect, inspire, and engage communities. Her background as an author and professional public speaker informs her approach to publishing, blending powerful storytelling with strategic audience connection.
Alyssa holds a Master’s degree in Communication and an undergraduate degree in Marketing Psychology. With a strong foundation in both messaging and consumer behavior, she specializes in building marketing strategies that help authors not only publish their work, but position it to reach the right readers. As a professional marketer who closely follows industry and cultural trends, Alyssa is passionate about helping authors maximize visibility, impact, and financial return on their books.
Through Harbor & Stone Press, she leads a collaborative team committed to thoughtful publishing, strong storytelling, and marketing strategies designed to put more opportunities (and revenue) back into authors’ pockets.
Melissa Taiz Gregory, Publishing Operations Coordinator
Melissa@HarborAndStonePress.com
Melissa Taiz Gregory is the Publishing Operations Coordinator at Harbor & Stone Press, where she supports internal operations and author relations across the organization. She helps coordinate the many moving parts of the publishing process, ensuring communication, timelines, and projects stay organized so authors and team members can move through each stage smoothly.
With a background in operations and a lifelong love of reading, she brings both structure and enthusiasm for storytelling to her work. As a Brazilian-American, she has a special appreciation for magical realism and the rich literary traditions that blend the ordinary with the extraordinary, a style deeply rooted in Brazilian and Latin American storytelling.
Through Harbor & Stone Press, she helps support authors and the publishing team by creating a collaborative and organized environment that allows powerful stories to reach the readers who need them.
Brittany Massey, Bookstore & Outreach Coordinator
Brittany@HarborAndStonePress.com
Brittany Massey is the Bookstore and Outreach Coordinator for Harbor & Stone Press. Brittany has been a life-long reader and the go-to book recommender for her friends and family. She entered the literary world in 2017, just a few weeks before her college graduation, when she created her Instagram page dedicated to reading books. Being in that space has opened her up to books of all genres, making her knowledgeable in various areas. In 2024, she decided to use that knowledge to create and sell book-themed items online. She eventually started selling her items at festivals and markets, then joined forces with her sister in 2025 to open Wallflower Book Co., an independent brick-and-mortar bookstore in Walnut Cove, North Carolina.
Brittany holds a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeological Science from The Pennsylvania State University. With a strong attention to detail and a love for stories, whether told through the written word or material objects, she hopes to bring a passion for stories to the book community. Now, with her own bookstore to manage, she understands what it takes to run a bookstore, get books on the shelves, and get them in the hands of the readers who visit her store.
Through Harbor & Stone Press, she will assist with getting books into stores and literary spaces across the country, and into the hands of readers everywhere.
Sheridan De La Cruz, Company Wellness Coach
Sheridan@HarborAndStonePress.com
Sheridan De La Cruz is the Company Wellness Coach of Harbor & Stone Press. A Certified Health Coach and published author with the press, Sheridan brings a unique perspective to her role, having first experienced Harbor & Stone as a writer whose work was trusted and championed by the team.
With a background in holistic health, wellness coaching, and mindful living, Sheridan supports the Harbor & Stone team in cultivating a balanced, creative, and sustainable work environment where well-being and productivity can thrive together. Her approach centers on helping individuals reconnect with their energy, clarity, and purpose while navigating the demands of creative and professional life.
As an author published through Harbor & Stone Press, Sheridan believes deeply in the press’s mission to elevate meaningful voices and thoughtful work. Her connection to the press as both a creator and wellness professional allows her to support the entire team with care, intention, and a shared belief in the power of meaningful work.
Through Harbor & Stone Press, she provides wellness guidance, supportive practices, and resources that nurture mental well-being, creative flow, and a positive team culture helping the organization flourish from the inside out.