About Howard Books
Howard Books publishes adult trade fiction and non-fiction books. Our goal is to inspire readers one word at a time. With a reach into both the Christian and general markets, we are the primary imprint at Simon & Schuster for faith-based books and a member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Howard is also home to numerous bestselling authors including Karen Kingsbury, Debbie Macomber, Dave Ramsey, Frank Peretti, Brad Paisley, and more.
Jonathan Merkh, VP and Publisher
Jonathan joined Howard Books in March 2009, bringing with him talents gleaned from a successful career in Christian publishing that encompassed roles in editorial, ministry, agenting, and sales through work at Thomas Nelson, Guideposts, William Morris and other leading companies. His extensive and varied experience gives him a well rounded and unique perspective on most every area of the business.
Merkh spent fourteen years with Thomas Nelson Publishers in various roles including a post as senior vice president and publisher of the Nelson Books division. While there he published more than twenty New York Times bestsellers, including works by Robin McGraw, Dave Ramsey, John and Stasi Eldredge, Dr. John C. Maxwell, and Donald Miller. Jonathan, a graduate of Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management, also launched the Nelson Business imprint.
Becky Nesbitt, VP and Editor-in-Chief
Our Staff
Jennifer Smith, Director of Publicity
Jennifer Smith joined Howard Books from Simon & Schuster’s Audio Division in October of 2010. During her time in the NY office, Jennifer worked on publicity campaigns for numerous authors including; Former Vice President Al Gore, Patrick Swayze, Michael Lewis, Pastor Joel Osteen, Glenn Beck, Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler, Anna Quindlen, Mary Higgins Clark, Carrie Fisher, Bethenny Frankel, Valerie Bertinelli, Michael Phelps, Jennifer Weiner, and many more. Since joining Howard Books, she has spearheaded campaigns for #1 NYT Bestselling Author Dave Ramsey, Brad Paisley, Dr. Charles Stanley, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Dr. Henry Cloud, Debbie Macomber, Glenn Meade, and many more. Smith was previously the Director of Publicity & Marketing for one of Simon & Schuster’s Distribution Clients based in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to her career in publishing, Smith worked as a News Director & Producer.
Barry Landis, VP and Associate Publisher
Barry Landis joined Howard Books in January 2012. He is a long-standing member of the Nashville entertainment community, working with several companies as a synergist within the film and music communities in the state of Tennessee. A Warner Bros. Records employee for 20 years, he distinguished himself as a strategic marketer and pragmatic businessman all the while developing deep relationships within the creative community. His strategies have been responsible for the sale of more than a billion dollars worth of music, home videos, and theatrical tickets. He is the founder of the Nashville Faith in Film Breakfast Club, a member of the Nashville Chapter of NARAS (Grammys), and is the author of What We Want To Say To Grads. Barry has been executive producer on countless music projects and has more than 20 Gold or Platinum sales awards from artists with whom he has worked.
Philis Boultinghouse, Senior Editor
Philis
has worked with Howard for more than 25 years, serving in various editorial and
management roles. She has served as editor on several New York Times Bestselling books, including Turning the Tide by Dr. Charles Stanley; A Love That Multiplies by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar; and Can America Survive by Pastor John
Hagee. She has also worked as editor for authors such as Senator Joe Lieberman,
Donald Miller, Brad Paisley, Dr. Henry Cloud, Chip Ingram, Andy Stanley, Point
of Grace, Steve Brown, Tony Campolo, and many more. Even after 25 years, Philis
loves bringing books to reality.
Jessica Wong, Associate Editor
Jessica
joined Howard Books in May 2009. She began her career in Christian publishing
at Thomas Nelson Publishers in 2007, straight out of college and the University
of Denver Publishing Institute. At Nelson, Jessica worked first as an
editorial assistant and then as an associate editor in backlist development and
custom publishing. Jessica has worked with a number of well-known and
bestselling authors including the following: Max Lucado, John Hagee, Henry
Cloud, Angela Hunt, Robin Jones Gunn, Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar, Dave
Ramsey, Katie Davis, and Frank Peretti.
Amanda Demastus, Associate Editor
Amanda
came to Howard Books in August 2011 from the Simon & Schuster office in New
York City. There she was a managing editorial assistant working for three
imprints including Howard and before that she was a freelancer for the digital
department. She began her publishing career in 2009 at Simon & Schuster
after graduating in May of that same year from the University of Virginia and
after completing the Summer Publishing Institute at New York University. Amanda
holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature and has a certificate in
publishing. She is interested in acquiring and developing her own list of
titles with a focus on commercial fiction, thrillers, mysteries, and narrative
non-fiction for the Christian market.
Sally Brock, Publicist
Sally
came to Howard in February 2010. After graduating from Wake Forest University,
Sally started her publicity career in publishing at Regnery Publishing in
Washington DC. After about two years, she moved to Nashville and later became
publicist for Howard Books. Sally has worked and toured with many New York
Times bestselling authors, including Senator Joe Lieberman, The Duggar Family, Blind Allegiance author Frank Bailey,
and numerous others.
Libby Reed, Publicity Assistant
Libby
joined Howard Books in August of 2009. She began her publishing career as
a publicity intern for Hachette Book Group’s FaithWords and Center Street
imprints. Following her graduation from Belmont University in 2009, she joined
Howard Books as a publicity assistant. Libby supports the publicity department
on bestselling campaigns for numerous authors.
Karen Longino, Managing Editor
Karen
has been with Howard Books for almost 6 years. She was previously the Director
of Stores for Barnes and Noble Collegiate Division and has been in business management
just over 21 years. She is the liaison between Howard Books and Simon &
Schuster’s production department in New York and has the privilege of touching
every manuscript that is published with Howard. She has had the honor to be
a part of works written by Rick Warren, Charles Stanley, John Hagee, Dave
Ramsey, Brad Paisley, Henry Cloud, and many others.
Bruce Gore, Art Director
Bruce
Gore came on board as Art Director with Howard Books when the company moved to
Nashville in 2009. He has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years,
and formerly ran his own design firm that provided design services for numerous
publishers across the country. Bruce oversees and designs the jackets and
covers for nearly all of Howard titles.
Savannah Squires, Administrative Coordinator
Savannah
Squires has worked at Howard Books as the Administrative Coordinator since July
of 2010. Before coming to work at Howard she earned her undergraduate degree in
Telecommunications from Lee University in 2009 and worked a brief stint in
newspaper advertising. She is currently enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University
in the Masters of Science of Mass Communication program.
