Experience

Benay Enterprises, Inc.

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Operating Officer

  • Jun 2023 - Present

• Director Of Business Development

  • 1998 - Jun 2023

  Merrilee began her career in publishing as Publicity Director for a Danbury-area book publisher. While finishing her English degree at Western CT State University, she joined Benay Enterprises as an intern in to learn and develop a strong base of knowledge about business and publishing. Over the years, Merrilee has helped Benay expand in many directions first as Director of Client Relations—incorporating new companies; royalty preparation for Benay’s book publishing clients; negotiating… Show more Merrilee began her career in publishing as Publicity Director for a Danbury-area book publisher. While finishing her English degree at Western CT State University, she joined Benay Enterprises as an intern in to learn and develop a strong base of knowledge about business and publishing. Over the years, Merrilee has helped Benay expand in many directions first as Director of Client Relations—incorporating new companies; royalty preparation for Benay’s book publishing clients; negotiating client contracts; and licensing foreign translation rights for such books as NYT bestsellers Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam, Jr., and Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley, the entire For Beginners book series, and numerous titles for Literary Group International and AK Press. In 2007, while continuing to assist CEO Dawn Reshen-Doty in managing the daily operations of Benay, Merrilee helped the company expand into the world of publishing as Editorial Director for Benay’s client, For Beginners LLC (formerly Writers and Readers Publishing). Merrilee’s passion for the written word found its realization in overseeing the FB publishing process in its entirety. Merrilee realized a lifelong dream to live in Maine when she moved to beautiful Gorham with her husband and son (along with their new pup and 8 chickens). She is now the Director of Business Development in Benay’s Portland, ME branch and is thrilled to expand Benay into supporting the thriving business community of Maine.



For Beginners LLC

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Editorial Director

  • Jan 2007 - Present

  From designing FB's logo to the final round of proofs, I oversee the operations of the For Beginners series from contract to publication. For Beginners® is the documentary, graphic nonfiction book series. Every book in the series serves one purpose: to deconstruct complex ideas and works of great thinkers and subjects alike. With subjects ranging from philosophy, to politics, to art and beyond, the For Beginners® series covers a range of familiar concepts in a humorous comic… Show more From designing FB's logo to the final round of proofs, I oversee the operations of the For Beginners series from contract to publication. For Beginners® is the documentary, graphic nonfiction book series. Every book in the series serves one purpose: to deconstruct complex ideas and works of great thinkers and subjects alike. With subjects ranging from philosophy, to politics, to art and beyond, the For Beginners® series covers a range of familiar concepts in a humorous comic book-style, and takes a readily comprehensible approach that’s respective of the intelligence of its audience. Show less From designing FB's logo to the final round of proofs, I oversee the operations of the For Beginners series from contract to publication. For Beginners® is the documentary, graphic nonfiction book series. Every book in the series serves one purpose: to deconstruct complex ideas and works of great thinkers and subjects alike. With subjects ranging from philosophy, to politics, to art and beyond, the For Beginners® series covers a range of familiar concepts in a humorous comic… Show more From designing FB's logo to the final round of proofs, I oversee the operations of the For Beginners series from contract to publication. For Beginners® is the documentary, graphic nonfiction book series. Every book in the series serves one purpose: to deconstruct complex ideas and works of great thinkers and subjects alike. With subjects ranging from philosophy, to politics, to art and beyond, the For Beginners® series covers a range of familiar concepts in a humorous comic book-style, and takes a readily comprehensible approach that’s respective of the intelligence of its audience. Show less