Book Authors Archive

Sienna Martz

April 13, 2026

Sienna Martz is a renowned sculptor and fiber artist known for her innovative approach to material manipulation and sustainable practices. She has established a strong reputation for her compelling sculptures and installations that often explore nature’s adaptability, challenge the prevailing currents of consumerism, and spark dialogue about the consequences of dissonance between humanity and nature.

Sienna’s works are in public and private collections worldwide. They are exhibited internationally in galleries and museum exhibitions, including in Seoul, Berlin, Rome, London, New York City, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles. Her work has been featured in major publications, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House & Garden, The World of Interiors, and Domino Magazine. International art museums, galleries, luxury hotels & apartments, art consulting firms, dance companies, botanical gardens, musicians, and non-profit organizations have commissioned her artwork. She received the 2024 Sculptor of the Year Singulart Award.

Sienna is represented by Gallery Les Bois in London, United Kingdom and Soapbox Arts in Burlington, Vermont. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Sienna is currently based in Vermont.

Martha Readyoff

April 13, 2026

Martha Readyoff has been a Montessori teacher since 2001 at the same school she once attended as a student. She has been vegan since 2010. Her current project is developing a website that can be used as a forum for Montessori teachers to discuss vegan issues and curriculum. She is a poet, an occasional baker (vegan, of course), and a creative dabbler. Her book of poetry, Little Lives (Antrim House Books, 2022), is a celebration of language, nature, and the vulnerable beings of the world. Intelligence of Love is her first book of nonfiction.

Gene Baur

April 13, 2026

Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, has been hailed as “the conscience of the food movement” by TIME magazine and named one of Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul 100 Givers. Since the mid-1980s, he has worked to raise awareness about factory farming abuses and promote a just, compassionate, and sustainable food system.

Growing up in Hollywood, Gene appeared in McDonald’s television commercials. However, as his knowledge of factory farming grew, Gene became vegan and determined to fight the cruelty of animal agriculture.

A pioneer in undercover investigations and animal rescue, Gene has visited hundreds of farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses, documenting the deplorable conditions. His pictures and videos exposing cruelty have aired around the world, educating millions, and his rescue work has inspired an international farm sanctuary movement.

Gene was instrumental in passing the first U.S. laws prohibiting cruel farming practices and securing the first-ever cruelty conviction at a U.S. stockyard. His work has been covered by major media organizations, and in far-reaching interviews, he has found common ground on the issue of factory farming with diverse hosts, including Jon Stewart and Tucker Carlson. Gene is the author of two bestsellers, Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food (Simon and Schuster, 2008) and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life (Rodale, 2015). Committed to a healthy plant-based lifestyle, he has competed in marathons and triathlons, including a full Ironman distance (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run).

Gene holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Northridge, and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University.

Mark Peters

July 1, 2025

For over ten years, photographer Mark Peters has immersed himself in the everyday lives of the cow residents of farmed animal sanctuaries. He earns their trust by walking respectfully alongside the herd, coming to know each animal personally. Peters’ ability to earn the trust of his portrait subjects has resulted in numerous cow licks, having his ear chewed on and getting chased (but never caught) by playful “puppy cows” on occasion. Peters lives in Maryland with his wife, Alisa, and the two little dogs who rule their home.

Ofra Layla Isler

January 22, 2025

Ofra Layla Isler is the founder of Art in Rescue, which honors the work of animal rescue through her hand drawn art. Inspired by the beautiful animals who are given second chances to live a life in peace, she brings her passion for art and animal rights together through Art in Rescue. Ofra has worked with various animal advocacy and conservation organizations. She lives in California with two rescue kitties. Ofra received her M.B.A. from Reichman University and her B.A.Sc. from California State University, Chico.

Christine Mott

January 22, 2025

Christine Mott is an attorney and animal advocate with over fifteen years of experience leading legal and policy efforts to protect animals. She advises alternative protein companies, animal sanctuaries and other animal protection and sustainability-focused organizations. Christine is a former Chair of the Animal Law Committee of the NYC Bar Association and has served on the boards of various animal advocacy organizations. Christine received her J.D. from NYU Law and her B.A. from Smith College. Christine’s work has been featured in the New York Times and various media. A native New Yorker, Christine currently lives in California with her family.

Angela L. Crawford

January 22, 2025

With 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist, Angela L. Crawford, Ph.D. is passionate about sharing the benefits of a plant-powered, vegan lifestyle for emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health. She writes, teaches, and speaks about thriving emotionally, living compassionately, and finding our unique purpose in contributing to a kinder, healthier world.

Dr. Crawford previously worked as a psychotherapist for over two decades, empowering clients to address stress and trauma, improve coping skills, and achieve holistic well-being. She holds certifications as a transformational coach, master vegan lifestyle coach and educator, and in plant-based nutrition.

Sarah Tomasello

January 22, 2025

Sarah Tomasello is an independent scholar who received bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Religious Studies and a Master of Science in Anthrozoology from Canisius College. Throughout her studies and publications, Sarah’s work has focused on the intersections between decolonization, animal rights, and wildlife conservation. She is especially interested in improving conservation initiatives so that they are respectful and inclusive of Indigenous communities, as well as more compassionate toward the nonhuman individuals they impact. Sarah has several publications in (critical) animal studies journals and books.

Mark Suchyta

January 22, 2025

Mark Suchyta is a teacher, activist, researcher, and artist whose work broadly focuses on how humans can better coexist with other animals and the rest of nature. His scholarship has appeared in scientific journals such as Social Forces, Human Ecology Review, and Agriculture and Human Values. He also works on a semi-annual zine series with his partner, Ren Suchyta-Korany, called A More-than-Human Society. Mark is currently a lecturer at Butler University in Indianapolis, where he teaches courses on environmentalism and human–animal relationships, as well as introductory sociology courses. When he is not busy working, Mark enjoys spending his time with his partner and his four rescued parakeets, Opa, Whimsey, Aspen, and Rainford.

Nathan Poirier

January 22, 2025

Nathan Poirier is a tutor and adjunct instructor at Lansing Community College, with graduate specializations in (critical) animal studies and women’s and gender studies, as well as advanced degrees in anthrozoology, mathematics, and sociology. Nathan co-edited the book Emerging New Voices in Critical Animal Studies: Vegan Studies for Total Liberation (Peter Lang, 2022) and has several interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary publications in diverse animal studies and environmental journals and books.