About Hane Lake Press

Hane Lake Press in an independent publisher based in Florida, producing a small number of carefully curated books each year. We are dedicated to stories rooted in place: particularly the landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural memory of Florida and the American South.

The imprint exists to support books that might otherwise struggle to find a home: visually driven projects, interdisciplinary works, and place-based narratives that live at the intersection of art, nature, and regional identity.

Rather than pursuing volume, Hane Lake Press is intentionally selective. Each title is developed with care, allowing space for thoughtful design, strong visual language, and long-term relevance. The imprint values books as objects meant to be held, revisited, and lived with while also embracing modern distribution and accessibility.

The press publishes original works by its founder as well as select collaborative and curated projects. Future titles will continue to explore Southern environments, environmental change, memory, and storytelling through multiple lenses, including fine art, photography, illustration, and nonfiction.

Hane Lake Press operates as a DBA of McCallister Ventures, LLC and reflects a broader commitment to creative stewardship: preserving regional stories, amplifying overlooked perspectives, and producing books that feel grounded, intentional, and enduring.

Publishing Philosophy

Hane Lake Press publishes books that are rooted in place, shaped by research, and built to last.

The imprint was founded on the belief that regional stories—especially those connected to land, ecology, memory, and cultural identity—deserve the same care, design attention, and editorial rigor as any major release. We are particularly interested in work that treats the American South not as a backdrop or stereotype, but as a living, complex landscape shaped by history, environment, and human responsibility.

Hane Lake Press favors projects with a clear point of view, strong visual or structural intent, and a respect for the reader’s intelligence. We publish books that sit at the intersection of art, literature, and education—works that can be revisited, studied, displayed, and lived with over time.

We are selective by design. Each project is chosen for its substance, its integrity, and its ability to contribute meaningfully to a regional or cultural conversation. Whether publishing original work by the imprint’s founder or partnering with other Southern artists and writers, our goal remains the same: to create thoughtful, well-crafted books that document, preserve, and elevate stories that might otherwise be overlooked.

Hane Lake Press is committed to slow publishing, intentional production, and long-term relevance over trend-driven output.

Founder

Amanda McCallister is a Florida-based artist, author, and publisher whose work centers on place, ecology, and cultural memory. She is the founder of Hane Lake Press.

Amanda is a graduate of Stetson University and holds a master’s degree in Curriculum Design. Before turning her focus fully to publishing and studio practice, she spent years teaching American Literature and AP English Language and Composition, and served as an exam reader for the College Board. Her academic background continues to shape the way she approaches books—as carefully structured learning objects as well as artistic works.

In addition to her role as publisher, Amanda works under the creative moniker Alice Absolutely, producing carved-paint reliefs and multidisciplinary projects that explore Florida’s wildlife and landscapes. Her publishing work reflects the same values that guide her art: rigor, research, clarity of voice, and a deep respect for regional stories.

Hane Lake Press is a DBA of McCallister Ventures, LLC, a Florida-based creative services and consulting company grounded in intentional growth, ethical decision-making, and long-term cultural impact.