Meet the Staff at Atlantic Pub!
At Atlantic Publishing, we pride ourselves on one-on-one interactions with our authors and customers. Everyone on the team knows who our authors are and wants them to succeed, so we thought that our authors might want to know a little about all of us too!
Douglas R. Brown, Company President
Bio: Over 30 years ago, I wrote a book on restaurant management. I was offered publishing contracts by two of the largest publishers in the hospitality field but ended up turning them down; I was convinced I could do a better job of producing and marketing my book myself.
In 1982, my wife –– Sherri –– and I created a better way to publish and founded Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. The company started in our garage, with Sherri filling every order. With perseverance, hard work, and dedication to quality, we were able to grow and expand the business.
Today, Atlantic Publishing is a leading small book publisher. More than 600 books are currently in print and available in both digital and printed versions. We have an editorial office and staff in Ocala, Florida and a warehouse in Starke, Florida.
Favorite genre of book: I read mostly business books, but I have a large collection of fiction and started collecting books by Ernest Hemingway in my 20s. I have several first editions.
Favorite place to vacation: Anywhere there is sunshine and salt water.
Jack Bussell, Publishing Consultant
Bio: I began a career in publishing sales in 1990. Over the last 28 years I have built relations with retail customers, corporate clients, and book wholesalers, all while representing a great list of books. I continue my publishing work representing great brands while working with a fabulous team of colleagues and authors.
Technology and the delivery of intellectual content changed over the years and so has the publishing business model. Most evident is how product delivery and print methods continue to evolve. Although self-publishing seems like an easy option for authors, it’s not always the best way of delivering on readers expectations. Traditional publishing continues to deliver the best distribution and possibility for success. Atlantic Publishing’s Partnership Program blends the simplicity of self-publishing with advantages of traditional publishing.
Building on my experiences, I continue to forge ahead with the promise of working hard for my clients and authors. I am proud having built strong relations while maintaining my reputation for delivering an honest effort. My success was built on the privilege of working with, and learning from, some of the best colleagues in the publishing industry and having a supportive family. I hold a great appreciation for my customers and authors and consider it an honor to provide them sales and service. My mission is to represent the finest publishing products.
Favorite genre of book: I don’t have one. There are too many good ones to choose from!
Favorite place to vacation: Wherever my granddaughter lives!
Danielle Lieneman, Project Manager
Bio: As a child, I spent more time in my local library than anywhere else. I’ve always had a passion for the written word and what powers they hold, but it wasn’t until my junior year at the University of Florida that I knew I wanted a career in publishing. I was excited about the opportunity to both help authors hone and perfect their material into something that they could be proud of and help readers searching for something.
At Atlantic Publishing, I have been able to do just that. Being a project manager means that I get to work with the authors throughout the entire publishing process, from the first submission of a draft to the final, bound product. I love seeing the excitement and joy from my authors as their dreams finally become a reality.
When I’m not at the office, I usually am trying to tackle my ever-growing to-be-read pile, getting tormented by my cat, or baking.
Favorite genre of book: I’m a big fan of fantasy and historical fiction. I love reading about real-life history, too (especially early-American history and all things British).
Favorite place to vacation: New York City or Denver
Katie Cline, Project Manager
Bio: Hey there! I’m Katie. I began working as an in-house editor and project manager with Atlantic in March of 2018, but before that, worked as a freelance editor in Georgia.
Because I’m a book editor and love the publishing industry, you might be surprised to learn that when I was little, I hated to read. My parents and teachers tried everything they could think of to get me interested in reading, but nothing would click. It was incredibly frustrating because I was reading at a very high level, but just really didn’t enjoy it and resented being forced to read books about talking dogs or singing princesses. It wasn’t until 4th grade when I discovered Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” that I fell head over heels in love with books. From then on, I was a massive book nerd. That series set me on my path to becoming a book editor so that I can get as many books as I can into the hands of other avid readers. It’s strange to think of where I might be now if I hadn’t found that one book that changed how I thought about reading. I became an editor because I want to help create that book that changes someone’s mind, and I’m so lucky that Atlantic lets me do that!
Favorite genre of book: Humor –– really of any kind. Celebrity biographies, adult fiction, YA, you name it. I’m currently really into a hilarious nonfiction zoological book about weird types of animals!
Favorite place to vacation: The UK –– I studied abroad in England and spent a ton of time in Ireland and Great Britain. Some of my happiest memories were made there.
Jessie Ranew, Office Manager
Bio: Hi! I’m Jessie, and I joined the Atlantic family in August of 2018 as office manager. I have been a bookworm for as long as I could read. Harry Potter changed my life. Despite this, I never quite knew the process for publishing, so when this opportunity arose for me, I leapt at the chance to take this job. The staff here is so amazing, and learning about the book publishing industry has been a fun journey. On my days off, I enjoy being anywhere near open water and hanging out with friends.
Favorite genre of book: Crime solving and mystery — anything that keeps me on the edge of my seat! I also enjoy a good love story.
Favorite place to vacation: The Florida Keys has been my favorite so far, but anywhere near the beach or fishing towns is great!
Nicole Sturk, Graphic Designer
Bio: I am a designer and artist who has been working in book publishing for over a decade. I graduated with honors from Brigham Young University–Idaho in 2005 with a BA in Art. Since then, I have worked on books of all kinds for a variety of publishers. I began as an in-house typesetter as part of a small office in Vermont and started freelancing from home when I moved to Utah, so I could take care of her two young daughters. I began working with Atlantic Publishing almost two years ago, and they continue to be one of my favorite clients to work with!
In my spare time, I enjoy drawing, knitting, baking, and blogging. In addition to book design, I also do illustration, specializing in surface patterns, hand lettering, and children’s illustration. You can learn more about me and view my work on my website at nicolejonessturk.com.
Favorite genre of book: YA (Harry Potter!) and How-to (i.e., craft and cookbooks)
Favorite place to vacation: I love to visit New Hampshire and Vermont, where my family is from.
Antoinette D’Amore, Graphic Designer
Bio: My name is Antoinette D’Amore, and I’m a freelance graphic designer. I have worked in this field for well over 25 years and am the owner of my own studio, AD Design, for the last 15 years or so.
During this time I’ve had the opportunity to work on a myriad of projects and have touched on pretty much all areas of print design: logos, books, magazines, packaging, catalogues, branding, and so on. It never ceases to amaze me how this ever-changing field continues to challenge and excite me every single day. I enjoy making ideas come alive and feel so lucky to be able to do the work I love.
Whenever I have some down time I take the opportunity to catch up on my reading as well as pursue some of my other favorite activities, which include yoga, cooking and gardening.
Favorite genre of book: I am, and always have been, an avid reader. I’ll read pretty much anything I can get my hands on, but mystery novels have generally been my favorite genre.
Favorite place to vacation: I live in Montreal, Quebec (Canada) but was originally born in Italy and moved here with my family when I was very young. I only returned to Italy about 5 years ago, when the travel bug hit me again and fell in love with the country, the lifestyle, and the people. It has since become my preferred vacation destination and I keep going back whenever I get the opportunity.
Kristen Joseph, Editorial Intern
Bio: My name is Kristen Joseph. I am a rising third-year English Language and Literature major at the University of Chicago. My favorite things to do are sing/listen to music, watch movies, and read; I almost always have a book with me, no matter where I’m going, which is why working at Atlantic as an editorial and marketing intern is such a perfect fit!
While I’m in Chicago, I work with the Cool Classics! Inc. afterschool program, which won the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in November of 2017. I believe that what we choose to create today makes a significant impact upon all those who experience our work in the future, which is why I love to teach children how they, too, are able to be influential creators, and why I love to work in the book publishing industry.
Favorite genre of book: Fantasy
Favorite place to vacation: Curaçao
Danielle Sinon, Editorial Intern
Bio: My name is Danielle, and I’m the newest member of the Atlantic Publishing team. I have always been one of those people who surround themselves with books. When I’m not working here, I work part-time at a library, so I guess you could say I’m a bibliophile. This is an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to start learning more about the world of publishing!
In my spare time, I love to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book (of course!), cook delicious meals, and spend time with my husband.
Favorite genre of book: Historical fiction and classic children’s literature. I’m also drawn to any book with a foreign setting.
Favorite place to vacation: Paris or anywhere by the beach!
Aegon, Office Mascot
Bio: Hi! My name is Aegon –– I was named after a character in George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones”.
I’m a polydactyl siamese kitten that the folks at Atlantic found behind the warehouse! They like to say they adopted me, but I really adopted them. I’ve got them pretty well trained, too! All I have to do is come to the front door and meow really loudly and they’ll come out to feed me and give me scratches and rubs. I can even sucker them into letting me inside for a quick cat nap sometimes!
My favorite past times include meowing for no reason for hours on end, purring aggressively while I eat (and almost choking while doing it), and stealing people’s office chairs. I’ve got Danielle and Katie, especially, wrapped around my little six-toed paw! I like to travel, but always make it home in time for dinner at closing time.
Favorite genre of book: Anything that’s comfy enough to nap on.
Favorite place to vacation: Sometimes I like to mix it up and go to an unoccupied cubicle to enjoy some quiet relaxation away from the hussle and bussle of the work desks.
We may have a small team, but we have big expectations for you and your book!