MEET THE MAKER

AUTHOR: Oliver Popa loves to read and play Minecraft. He also likes to draw. Oliver, who is nine years old and lives in Edmonds, WA, with his family, often eats pepperoni and sausage pizza or steak for dinner—with a side of pineapple or Cosmic Crisp apple slices. Am I a Planet? is his second book. 

Our West Press publishes stories from the American West. Founded in Edmonds, WA, they provide a platform for storytellers and artists who call the Western US home—from as south as San Diego and as east as Santa Fe.

Our West Press in Edmonds, Washington was born out of a desire for stories that feel like home. Founder Whitney Popa comes from a long line of librarians and book lovers rooted across the Western United States. An obsessive reader and writer, she started Our West Press with a clear, heartfelt mission: to create a dedicated home for wild, wonderful literature and art crafted by Western voices—spanning from the Pacific Northwest down to San Diego and out to Santa Fe.

Operating as an independent publishing house, Our West Press champions regional storytellers who capture the unique landscapes, cultures, and everyday magic of the left side of the Mississippi. From beautifully illustrated children's books—including titles authored by local Edmonds talent—to poignant prose and artwork, the press is built around community, authenticity, and connection. Like a warm cup of coffee after a long drive down a back road, Our West Press welcomes readers and writers alike to pull up a chair to their table.