David Brown
Simon & Schuster / Atria Books
Known to many as the “Atria Mystery Bus,” David Brown’s clients call him “the best in the business.” Either way, he gets it done like few others can.
The Writer’s Dossier 12/9/2024 – The David Brown interview
Say, “Yes!”
DOSSIER: When it comes to promoting books, can you disclose one or two things that authors can do to get the best/right exposure?
BROWN: Trust your publicist but be collaborative. Offer ideas, brainstorm and ask questions. Say yes to everything at the beginning of your career.
Don’t be a poser
DOSSIER: What things should authors avoid when trying to promote their book? Can you think of any particular gimmick that really bombed?
BROWN: Be genuine. We’ve become pretty savvy as a society and are able to identify a poser very easily.
It takes a lot of work
DOSSIER: What’s the deal with covering book reviews? How important is that to sales?
BROWN: It’s such a case-by-case scenario but everything should be a part of a whole. With some outlier exceptions, one aspect of promotion is not going to be enough to move the needle. It takes a full campaign.
He’ll find the dud
DOSSIER: Are there any social media dos or don’ts?
BROWN: See #2, be genuine. Don’t be cool on social media and then a dud in person.
Getting it done with Jack Carr
DOSSIER: What about an example of something that worked exceptionally well?
BROWN: The Jack Carr Shot/Signed Special Edition of his hardcovers (established 2022) and the Mitch Rapp Ambassador Program (established 2015) are two of my favorites over the years.
2025 is going to be huge
DOSSIER: Do you have any news or announcement about what you have going on Simon & Schuster / Atria Books that at you’d like to disclose in your Dossier?
BROWN: Bestler’s Bestseller Boys are Back—Carr, Thor, Flynn—plus new books from William Kent Krueger, Chris Hauty, Stephen Hunter and Connor Sullivan are all schedule for 2025. And I’m proud of our @AtriaMysteryBus TikTok content—behind the scenes of our publicity department—the kind of content no other publisher, imprint or department in the entire industry is providing.