About Janet
Janet Bruins is the founder and publisher of Picnic Heist Publishing, a boutique publishing house dedicated to fostering creativity, amplifying underrepresented voices, and crafting meaningful stories that inspire readers of all ages. Drawing on two decades of experience in engineering, corporate finance, and mentoring, Janet combines analytical expertise with a collaborative spirit to create an environment where bold, innovative titles can thrive.
A strong advocate for global education and community impact, Janet has mentored engineering students to address climate change challenges in underserved communities across Honduras, India, and the Philippines. These experiences shaped her belief in the transformative power of collaboration and storytelling to tackle real-world issues and bring fresh perspectives to light.
Janet holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Engineering from Purdue University, and an MBA from Georgetown University. Her professional journey, spanning from designing complex systems to solving financial challenges, has uniquely equipped her to elevate compelling stories that matter and support the creative visions of emerging authors and illustrators.
From Motherhood to Publishing
Janet’s foray into publishing began with a deeply personal journey. After the birth of her daughter, Rosie, Janet faced the challenges of postpartum depression and the weight of balancing motherhood with her own aspirations. Through perseverance and self-reflection, she found a way to reclaim her identity while navigating the complexities of modern motherhood. This transformation became the foundation for her debut book, Expecting It All: More Time, Money, Energy, and Space for Mothers, which blends memoir and practical advice to empower mothers to pursue fulfillment alongside family life.
Writing Expecting It All sparked Janet’s realization of the power of storytelling to connect, heal, and inspire. Her experience reading thousands of children’s books to her daughter further deepened her appreciation for the role of stories in shaping young minds and fostering empathy. This insight planted the seed for Picnic Heist Publishing—a space where authors and illustrators could find the support they need to bring their creative visions to fruition.
A Vision for Picnic Heist Publishing
Picnic Heist Publishing is built on the belief that stories have the power to inspire change, foster unity, and bring more beauty into the world. At its core, the publishing house is dedicated to supporting and elevating authors and illustrators, empowering them to create their best work. By focusing on diversity, inclusivity, and artistry, Picnic Heist is committed to publishing books that resonate deeply with readers and leave a lasting impact.
What sets Picnic Heist apart is its unwavering dedication to excellence and collaboration. The company brings together the best editorial and design talents to guide creators through every stage of the traditional publishing process, ensuring their visions are brought to life with care and precision. As the founder, Janet champions a high degree of creative freedom, encouraging bold ideas while maintaining full transparency at each step of the publishing journey.
Through this unique approach, Picnic Heist Publishing fosters a vibrant creative environment where great stories are nurtured and celebrated, leaving readers with books that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.