Matt Pietrek is a renowned spirits industry author, historian, consultant, and rum nerd. Best known for his Rum Wonk and Cocktail Wonk sites, he has an innate ability to untangle complex subjects in a clear and concise way. He also serves as the Community Envoy for the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association.

A former software architect, Matt is also the co-author of Minimalist Tiki: A Cocktail Wonk Look at Classic Libations and the Modern Tiki Vanguard, also from Wonk Press.

He lives, works, and drinks alongside his wife and coauthor, Carrie Smith, and their dog (Admiral) Nelson in New Orleans, sometimes known as the northernmost city in the Caribbean.

Carrie Smith is a designer at heart—of spaces, projects, and ideas. Her creative vision intertwines several past careers to oversee Wonk Press, a new model of publishing company that partners with independent authors to bring passionate projects to life.

Carrie is an author and editor, artist and designer, mentor and leader, as well as an award-winning interior designer with a master’s degree in architectural preservation studies from Tulane University. An inveterate traveler and life-long student, she also gives architectural history tours of her adopted city of New Orleans, where she delights in sharing its cocktails, traditions, intriguing tales, and deep love of costumes and glitter. She is partial to a well-crafted Hemingway daiquiri, preferably made with Cuban rum.