Woodpecker Press, LLC

Woodpecker Press specializes in providing publishing & PR services to authors, business owners, PR agencies, and academic & scholarly publishers.

With a focus on nonfiction, we assist authors through all facets of the self-publishing process—from idea through printed book, including editorial, design, production, and publishing services. The business was established in 2008 to help authors self-publish, be more in control of their work, and retain more profit from their efforts.  Look at the WP books here.

For academic & scholarly publishers, our focus is on copy editing journal papers and proofreading conference program bookets and meeting documents for consistency, accuracy, and adherence to the publisher’s style guidelines.

WP also offers public relations services and marketing plans for authors and business owners.

In 2012, WP launched the Big Bold Business^® Book Series. Each volume is written by business owners for business owners. The series blends the power of publishing and public relations to benefit the authors as well as the readers. Business owners share their expertise by writing a short chapter, readers gain business insight from each quick-read chapter, and every author benefits from the exposure to those who received the book from another author and now knows them and what they do. Volume 1 featured 72 chapters, each written by a New Jersey Woman Business Owner. Volume 2 was published in 2015, featuring 40 chapters written by men and women business owners from across the USA. Volume 3 was a special volume commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO). It featured 15 chapters, each of which was written by a NJAWBO member.

Donna R. Thompson
Owner/Publishing Consultant

Donna R. Thompson is the owner of Woodpecker Press, LLC, which was established in 2008 to help business owners self-publish. The company also provides editorial services to other publishers and public relations services to authors and entrepreneurs. Donna loves helping clients understand publishing and the benefits of adding that “published author” credential to their list of achievements. Her business background, with her extensive career in publishing, allows her to bring her unique combination of insight to every project.

During her publishing career, Thompson also owned drtEnterprises, LLC for 19 years (1985–1993 and 2003–2014) and co-owned MessagePros, LLC for two years (2002–2004). Both were editorial services businesses. In addition, she was employed in the technical publishing department of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for 10 years (1993–2003), moving up the ranks from production assistant to production editor to managing editor. She also was associate editor at Industry Publications, Inc. for seven years (1978–1985) and assistant editor at the American Electroplaters’ Society for a year (1975–1976), where she her love of publishing began.

Thompson is a 1976 graduate of Caldwell College with a B.S. in business administration.

Organizations and Community Service

New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, State Board of Trustees, Vice President of Programming & Events, 2018–present, Communications Coordinator, 2015–2018; Essex Chapter Board of Trustees, 2005–2012; member, 2005–present

Sempre Avanti, Inc., Board of Trustees, 2013–present

Independent Book Publishers Association, member, 2011–present

North Essex Chamber of Commerce, member, 2008–2010

Cedar Grove Education Foundation, Inc., co-founder, Board of Trustees, 2003–2012; president, 2005–2008; vice president, 2003–2005

Rutgers Newark Small Business Development Center (SBDC), advisory board member, 2006–2008

Cedar Grove Board of Education, elected board member, 1999–2003; president, 2001–2003; vice president, 2000–2001

Awards

NJAWBO MetroEast Region Trailblazer Award, 2014

NJAWBO Essex Business Woman of the Year Award, 2009

NJAWBO Essex Teal Heart Award, 2007