December First Press is my publishing imprint, launched in 2024 as a strategic evolution of nine years running Creative Artifacts HQ. Moving beyond the production constraints of handmade goods, December First Press creates scalable literary and visual projects designed to be kept, used, and preserved.

The imprint centers on color-driven series—each book following distinct aesthetic palettes that guide both content and design. Future projects include oracle and meditation card decks combining original photography with contemplative text.

Poetry | Published December 2025 | R. Ellis

Description:

My debut poetry collection features work written during early morning hours: compressed observations of contemporary objects and experiences from unexpected angles. Rather than traditional nature imagery or grand narratives, these poems attend to overlooked details in modern life—the material reality of how we actually live.

The collection explores what happens when we pay close attention to the ordinary: elevator buttons, coffee cups, the blue glow of screens before dawn. Each fragment captures a moment of seeing something familiar as if for the first time, emphasizing contemporary objects and urban experiences from unexpected angles while avoiding traditional poetic imagery in favor of sharp cultural observation.

Souls on Fire demonstrates my ability to execute full publishing workflows from manuscript development through distribution while establishing my voice as a contemporary poet working in micro-forms. Self-published through December First Press via Amazon KDP, this collection demonstrates my ability to execute full publishing workflows from manuscript development through distribution while establishing my voice as a contemporary poet working in micro-forms.

Status: Published December 2025 | Available in print and digital formats

Role: Author, Publisher, Designer

Skills Demonstrated: Poetry writing, manuscript development, editorial process, book design, self-publishing workflow (Amazon KDP), brand development (pen name R. Ellis), digital and print production

Audience: Contemporary poetry readers, lovers of micro-poetry and compressed forms, readers interested in urban observations and material culture

Format: Poetry collection, available in print and digital editions via Amazon KDP

Adventure Narrative | In Development | Stephanie Raudsepp

Description:

A four-volume illustrated collection for ages 4-8 chronicling the adventures of Maximum the Dude, blending character-driven storytelling with geographical exploration.

This series demonstrates December First Press's range beyond poetry into narrative work, showcasing my ability to develop serialized content with cohesive world-building across multiple volumes. The boxed set format reflects attention to product design and packaging as integral to the reading experience—combining storytelling with thoughtful physical presentation.

Maximum the Dude represents my approach to children's adventure literature: accessible narratives that respect young readers' intelligence while introducing them to diverse settings and problem-solving through character development.

Status: Manuscript in development | Planned publication: 2026-2028

Role: Author, Series Developer, Publisher, Designer

Skills Demonstrated: Narrative development, series planning, character development, world-building, children's literature (ages 4-8), product packaging design, serialized content strategy

Audience: Children ages 4-8, parents, educators

Format: 4-book illustrated boxed set

Professional Reference | In Development | Expected 2027

Description:

A professional reference tool bridging institutional art world knowledge with accessible creative practice. Originally developed as an academic project in 2012, I'm transforming this into a published resource providing artists, curators, and cultural workers with structured frameworks for exhibition planning and documentation.

The fifteen-year development period reflects my "archival impulse" approach: preserving ideas that aren't ready, letting them mature, and returning when I have the skills and vision to execute them properly. The published edition benefits from over a decade of additional professional experience in documentation systems, clearer understanding of audience needs, and refined writing craft.

This publication showcases my ability to translate specialized knowledge into practical, usable formats while maintaining professional design standards—bridging the gap between academic discourse and working creative professionals who need actionable tools.

Status: Manuscript in development | Expected publication: 2027

Role: Author, Publisher, Designer

Skills Demonstrated: Reference writing, instructional design, academic-to-practical translation, professional publishing, audience research, exhibition planning frameworks

Audience: Artists, curators, gallery professionals, cultural workers

Distribution: Amazon KDP, CreativeArtifactsHQ.com (upon publication)