Grateful Steps

Local faith-based publisher Grateful Steps releases a wide array of books, from children's books and photography to historical nonfiction and poetry. Selections from 2011 include YA novel The Old Shoes, adventure memoir Sharks On My Fin Tips and kid's book Sammy the Dragon.

Located in Lexington Station (159 S Lexington Ave.), Grateful Steps does more than simply print the books of authors whose voices might otherwise go unheard. The publishing company also hosts events and programs. Asheville Bookfest, which took place in October, set its evening events in Grateful Steps' space. Classes like "Geopoetics" (led by writer and Grateful Steps marketing director Laura Hope-Gill) take place in the light-filled space of the publishing company and bookstore.

So, with all of that already in the works, what does Grateful Steps have up its sleeve for the coming year? Hope-Gill offered this list of goals for both the publisher and the local literary community:

1. Grateful Steps will launch Collection II of Look Up Asheville to global recognition of the city's status as polycentric center of the polycentric universe.
2. Social enterprises like Grateful Steps and many others that gather here for Social Enterprise Thursdays will find great support from the community and more startups will build a social component into their mission.
3. Amazon.com will stop creating jugular-slashing apps and never again reward people to use them.
4. Local business and friends will sponsor the awesome poets reading at Asheville Wordfest and make the festival completely sustainable.
5. Barbie Angell's book of young people's poetry will find its way into the reading lives of children everywhere.
6. Ashevilleans will source more things locally, including locally written and published books.