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The APG Team

Our People Are the APG Advantage

Amplify Publishing Group’s staff is experienced in various publishing disciplines. From industry strategists, to detailed creatives, to versatile marketers, we have the right people in the right positions to help authors navigate the nuances of the publishing marketplace.

While the APG team is composed of individuals offering unique backgrounds and skill sets, there’s one attribute we all share: we’re passionate about books. It’s this appreciation for the written word that provides important context and perspective to our work and enables us to offer knowledgeable direction to our family of authors.

Naren Aryal

Naren Aryal

CEO and Publisher

As CEO of Amplify Publishing Group (APG), Naren advises industry experts and thought leaders on the opportunities and challenges that exist in the ever-evolving world of publishing. He launched the company with a single title in 2003 and guided it to what it is today—one of the fastest growing and most respected hybrid publishing companies in the world.

APG is home to five genre-focused imprints: Amplify Publishing, an imprint for business and thought leadership titles; RealClear Publishing, a joint venture with RealClearPolitics; Subplot Publishing, a home for excellent fiction; Mascot Kids, a space for children’s literature; and the flagship, multi-genre imprint, Mascot Books.

Prior to entering the world of books, Naren worked as a lawyer, advising technology companies in the Washington, DC, area. He is a frequent speaker on all things publishing, including content development, book production, retail distribution, marketing, and author branding.

Josh Linkner

Josh Linkner

Chairman

Josh has been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He’s an internationally recognized expert on innovation and is the author of four books on the subject, including the New York Times bestsellers Disciplined Dreaming and The Road to Reinvention.

Josh is passionate about starting and building companies. He’s the co-founder and managing partner of Muditā Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm, and was previously the CEO and founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners. Over the last thirty years, he’s helped over one hundred startups launch and scale.

Today, Josh serves as chairman and co-founder of Platypus Labs, an innovation research, training, and consulting firm. He has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award.

Josh is also a passionate Detroiter, father of four, and professional-level jazz guitarist.

Eric Schurenberg

Eric Schurenberg

Editor-In-Chief

Eric Schurenberg is a media executive and award-winning journalist now dedicated to fighting toxic misinformation and polarization. Among other related efforts, he co-hosts the podcast In Reality with Joan Donovan of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center. 

Most recently, Eric was the CEO of Mansueto Ventures, the owner of Inc. and Fast Company media properties. Before becoming CEO, he was editor-in-chief of Inc., during which time the magazine won a National Magazine Award for general excellence. Before joining Inc., Eric was the founding editor of CBS MoneyWatch.com and the editor-in-chief of BNET.com for CBS Interactive.

Prior to CBS, Eric was managing editor of Money magazine, which won the Time Inc. Luce award for service journalism in each of the four years it was eligible. Other roles include deputy editor at Business 2.0, assistant managing editor at Fortune, and vice president at Goldman Sachs. He was a regular commentator on Nightly Business Report on PBS and Marketplace Radio on NPR, as well as a frequent guest on CNBC, CNN, Today, and Good Morning America. 

Outside of work, Eric is a private pilot and club tennis player.

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins

Board Member

You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how.

Mel is in a category all her own. As one of the most widely booked and followed podcast hosts and authors in the world, she’s sought after by the world’s leading brands and medical professionals for her research-backed tools and motivation. And, at the same time, Mel has amassed millions of followers online, with her advice going viral online almost daily.

New York Times bestselling author and self-publishing phenom, Mel’s work includes The High 5 HabitThe 5 Second Rule, and the #1 ranking The Mel Robbins Podcast. Her female-led media company produces provocative, life-changing content, with millions of books sold, billions of video views, and six #1 audiobooks on Audible. Her work has been translated into 41 languages and has changed the lives of millions of people worldwide.

And despite all that, Mel is one of the most down-to-earth and relatable people you’ll ever know. Probably because she learned everything she teaches the hard way: by first screwing up her own life, and out of necessity, discovering the tools and research that transformed her life and got her to where she is today.

Naren AryalNaren Aryal
CEO and Publisher

As CEO of Amplify Publishing Group (APG), Naren advises industry experts and thought leaders on the opportunities and challenges that exist in the ever-evolving world of publishing. He launched the company with a single title in 2003 and guided it to what it is today—one of the fastest growing and most respected hybrid publishing companies in the world.

APG is home to five genre-focused imprints: Amplify Publishing, an imprint for business and thought leadership titles; RealClear Publishing, a joint venture with RealClearPolitics; Subplot Publishing, a home for excellent fiction; Mascot Kids, a space for children’s literature; and the flagship, multi-genre imprint, Mascot Books.

Prior to entering the world of books, Naren worked as a lawyer, advising technology companies in the Washington, DC, area. He is a frequent speaker on all things publishing, including content development, book production, retail distribution, marketing, and author branding.

Josh LinknerJosh Linkner
Chairman

Josh has been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He’s an internationally recognized expert on innovation and is the author of four books on the subject, including the New York Times bestsellers Disciplined Dreaming and The Road to Reinvention.

Josh is passionate about starting and building companies. He’s the co-founder and managing partner of Muditā Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm, and was previously the CEO and founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners. Over the last thirty years, he’s helped over one hundred startups launch and scale.

Today, Josh serves as chairman and co-founder of Platypus Labs, an innovation research, training, and consulting firm. He has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award.

Josh is also a passionate Detroiter, father of four, and professional-level jazz guitarist.

Eric SchurenbergEric Schurenberg
Editor-In-Chief

Eric Schurenberg is a media executive and award-winning journalist now dedicated to fighting toxic misinformation and polarization. Among other related efforts, he co-hosts the podcast In Reality with Joan Donovan of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center. 

Most recently, Eric was the CEO of Mansueto Ventures, the owner of Inc. and Fast Company media properties. Before becoming CEO, he was editor-in-chief of Inc., during which time the magazine won a National Magazine Award for general excellence. Before joining Inc., Eric was the founding editor of CBS MoneyWatch.com and the editor-in-chief of BNET.com for CBS Interactive.

Prior to CBS, Eric was managing editor of Money magazine, which won the Time Inc. Luce award for service journalism in each of the four years it was eligible. Other roles include deputy editor at Business 2.0, assistant managing editor at Fortune, and vice president at Goldman Sachs. He was a regular commentator on Nightly Business Report on PBS and Marketplace Radio on NPR, as well as a frequent guest on CNBC, CNN, Today, and Good Morning America. 

Outside of work, Eric is a private pilot and club tennis player.

Mel RobbinsMel Robbins
Board Member

You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how.

Mel is in a category all her own. As one of the most widely booked and followed podcast hosts and authors in the world, she’s sought after by the world’s leading brands and medical professionals for her research-backed tools and motivation. And, at the same time, Mel has amassed millions of followers online, with her advice going viral online almost daily.

New York Times bestselling author and self-publishing phenom, Mel’s work includes The High 5 HabitThe 5 Second Rule, and the #1 ranking The Mel Robbins Podcast. Her female-led media company produces provocative, life-changing content, with millions of books sold, billions of video views, and six #1 audiobooks on Audible. Her work has been translated into 41 languages and has changed the lives of millions of people worldwide.

And despite all that, Mel is one of the most down-to-earth and relatable people you’ll ever know. Probably because she learned everything she teaches the hard way: by first screwing up her own life, and out of necessity, discovering the tools and research that transformed her life and got her to where she is today.

Our Team

Nina Spahn
VP, Production
Kristin Perry
VP, Operations
Jess Cohn
Director, Acquisitions
Ben Simpson
Director, Acquisitions
Lauren Magnussen
Director, Production
Brandon Coward
Senior Production Editor
Jenna Scafuri
Senior Production Editor
Myles Schrag
Senior Production Editor
Rachel Applebach
Production Editor
Gillian Barth
Assistant Production Editor
Tyler Brown
Assistant Production Editor
Danny Moore
Creative Director
Caitlin Smith
Senior Graphic Designer
Matt Gonsalves
Graphic Designer
Shannon Sullivan
Graphic Designer
David Marvin
Graphic Designer
Liam Brophy
Graphic Designer
Sky Wilson
Director, Marketing
Heather Orlando-Jerabek
Marketing Manager
Caitie Roewer
Retail and Distribution Manager
Michelle Garcia
Marketing Manager
Kat Craft
Retail and Distribution Administrator
Debbie Nosil
Director, Bookkeeping
Alison Krylowski
Senior Bookkeeper
Helen Frank
Bookkeeper
Soukkhy Drumm
Bookkeeper
Emily Willett
Administrative Assistant
Nina SpahnNina Spahn
VP, Production

Prior to moving to the Washington, DC, area and joining Amplify Publishing Group, Nina worked in editorial at a New York publishing house. There, she worked on multiple USA Today and New York Times bestsellers spanning a variety of genres. Nina now specializes in a number of narrative nonfiction genres including business, memoir, self-help, topical nonfiction, and essay collections, and oversees the full production department at APG. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in writing and a BA in communications and attended New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute before beginning her career in publishing.

Kristin PerryKristin Perry
VP, Operations

Kristin ensures that the transition from manuscript to marketing is strategic and seamless, overseeing a variety of titles across multiple genres for Amplify Publishing Group. She is an expert on the industry and marketplace factors that contribute to a title’s success. A loyal reader of both fiction and nonfiction, she enjoys working on novels, memoirs, and everything in between. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in English and a BA in psychology.

Jess CohnJess Cohn
Director, Acquisitions

Working with books is Jess’s dream job. Ever since she was little, she knew her passion in life was to help authors publish their stories. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a BFA in creative writing and a publishing certificate. Her concentration was in fiction, which helped her develop APG’s imprint Subplot. As acquisitions director, she spearheads the imprint while continuing to acquire a variety of excellent stories in many other genres. She loves spending her days reading manuscripts, chatting with authors about their work, and exploring the wonderful Northern Virginia area.

Ben SimpsonBen Simpson
Director, Acquisitions

As acquisitions director at Amplify Publishing Group, Ben is responsible for communicating with a variety of authors about APG’s publishing services and the industry as a whole. He loves the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of genres and subject matters, and enjoys talking with authors about their goals and how APG can help achieve them. A native of Herndon, Virginia, and an avid reader of history books and comedy memoirs, he was thrilled by the opportunity to work in publishing in the same town he grew up in. He received his BA in communications with a concentration in media production and criticism from George Mason University.

Lauren MagnussenLauren Magnussen
Director, Production

Lauren has been working and playing with the written word since she was only a few years old, and a love of the art and substance of the English language has been at the core of her personal and professional ambitions for decades. Since her early forays into the realm of writing, she has worked on all sides of the process: by furiously researching, analyzing, and copy editing, Lauren helps writers create polished, original books. She believes in the power of communication to get things done, and throws herself into every project to make sure it is better than when she began it. She has a BA in English from The College of William and Mary and is currently pursuing her MA at George Mason University.

Brandon CowardBrandon Coward
Senior Production Editor

Brandon is a veteran editor whose experience in publishing includes helping bring New York Times bestsellers of all kinds to life at a top New York publisher and literary agency. His favorite part about working with authors is making their dreams come true. Prior to entering the world of books, he helped lead the production and copyediting operations of a daily newspaper. In his spare time, he enjoys playing racquetball and taking his daughter to Washington Nationals baseball games.

Jenna ScafuriJenna Scafuri
Senior Production Editor

Jenna is a seasoned editor and writer with a passion for turning ideas and manuscripts into printed books. With nearly fifteen years of experience in editing and publishing, Jenna specializes in advocating for her authors and making sure their unique voices are reflected in their prose. At Amplify Publishing Group, she enjoys guiding authors through every step of production and demystifying the publication process along the way. Jenna has a BA in English from Michigan State University, where she studied publishing, creative writing, and professional writing, and worked for several literary journals on campus. Before joining APG, her love of the written word led her to enjoy an editorial career in the fields of aviation/aerospace, corrections, and education.

Myles SchragMyles Schrag
Senior Production Editor

Myles has been helping authors tell their stories for more than twenty years, in acquisitions and as a developmental editor, ghostwriter, and writing coach. He has authored or edited eight books himself and is grateful for the variety of genres and topics that he encounters every day with Amplify Publishing Group. Myles has a BA in English and minor in communications from Goshen (Ind.) College and an MS in kinesiology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He loves living the outdoor life in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Rachel ApplebachRachel Applebach
Production Editor

Rachel is a big believer in the power of editing. At Amplify Publishing Group, she is eager to help authors realize their vision through the process of polishing and publishing their manuscript. Her passion is for books of any kind: from academic nonfiction to memoir, science fiction to historical romance. Rachel graduated from Emerson College with an MA in publishing and writing, and from Christopher Newport with a BA in English literature and minors in leadership and writing.

Gillian BarthGillian Barth
Assistant Production Editor

Ever since Gillian was little, she’s always enjoyed reading books. She didn’t always know that publishing was the career meant for her, but now that she works at Amplify Publishing Group as an assistant production editor, she can’t imagine working anywhere else. Gillian received her BA in history and BA in English from Virginia Tech, where she helped publish her senior history seminar’s monograph on women’s history and worked as a student editor for the history department’s student-run academic journal. After Virginia Tech, Gillian completed the Columbia Publishing Course where she earned her certificate in publishing.

Tyler BrownTyler Brown
Assistant Production Editor

Before becoming an assistant production editor, Tyler Brown worked as an intern for Amplify Publishing Group. Now she collaborates with children’s picture book authors to help their dreams and passions become a reality. It is her deepest desire to help facilitate story creation, and she is always excited to see an author’s work on bookstore shelves. Tyler has a BA in English from Christopher Newport University with a concentration in literature and a writing minor.

Danny MooreDanny Moore
Creative Director

Working with Amplify Publishing Group since 2004, Danny’s contributions include award-winning illustrations, print and web designs, covers, ebook conversions, web games, and app development. He graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in graphic design and illustration.

Caitlin SmithCaitlin Smith
Senior Graphic Designer

Caitlin is a graphic designer hailing from Roanoke, Virginia. She is also a proud overachiever and a firm believer in the transformative power of good design. She first fell in love with print media and letterforms during a college typography course, which gave her the opportunity to design her very first book. The experience changed her life and would (eventually) lead her to Amplify Publishing Group, where she gets to put that same passion to use every day.

Caitlin has a BFA in graphic design from Liberty University and an AAS in communication design from Virginia Western Community College. When she isn’t experimenting with various Adobe programs, she can be found curled up on her couch playing indie games or rewatching Disney movies. Or possibly both.

Matt GonsalvesMatt Gonsalves
Graphic Designer

Matthew is an innovative graphic designer and digital painter, best known for his abstract covers and work in Photoshop. He graduated from the Art Institute of Washington with a BA in graphic design and began toying with personal projects, which included designing his neighbor’s book. He soon found he had a knack for it and decided to pursue a career in the world of books. Today, he creates unique designs catered to each individual book he comes across at Amplify Publishing Group.

Shannon Sullivan
Graphic Designer

Shannon is a graphic designer from San Diego, California, who moved to Northern Virginia to join Amplify Publishing Group and fulfill her longtime goal of working in publishing. As an enthusiastic reader, she always dreamed of designing books from cover to cover. When not designing or reading, Shannon can be found volunteering as a dog walker for a local animal rescue or trying a new coffee shop.

David MarvinDavid Marvin
Graphic Designer

David grew up adventuring with his three older brothers in a small rural town in northwestern Pennsylvania. While most of his childhood was spent climbing trees, playing football in the backyard, and finding new ways to get in trouble, he’s always had an appreciation and passion for art. He took a special interest in publication design while pursuing his BFA in graphic design at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. After graduating in 2019, he knew he wanted to work in publishing and, after a long search, found his place at Amplify Publishing Group. In his free time, he enjoys sports, movies, music, board games, and visiting museums.

Liam BrophyLiam Brophy
Graphic Designer

Liam is a graphic designer and avid reader. While studying graphic design in New York, he worked in libraries and bookstores developing a passion for the world of publishing. When not designing books for Amplify Publishing Group, he volunteers at America’s oldest queer book store, in Philadelphia.

Sky WilsonSky Wilson
Director, Marketing

Sky is thrilled to lend a hand to authors on their publishing journey with Amplify Publishing Group. She has a passion for curiosity and love of storytelling that influence her work as marketing manager for a wide array of titles. A Virginia native, Sky graduated from James Madison University. She possesses a professional background in writing and arts marketing with an emphasis on public relations and digital marketing strategies. When not working, Sky can be found browsing local bookstores.

Heather Orlando-JerabekHeather Orlando-Jerabek
Marketing Manager

Heather Orlando Jerabek is a graduate of the Columbia University publishing course, received an MFA in creative writing from the University of Central Florida, and a BA in English literature. She has worked with publications such as National Geographic, TV Guide Magazine, and The Florida Review in editorial and marketing roles. Most recently, Heather worked with Macmillan Publishers, coordinating publicity campaigns for numerous New York Times bestselling authors.

Caitie RoewerCaitie Roewer
Retail and Distribution Manager

As the retail and distribution manager at Amplify Publishing Group, Caitie works to make sure books are available to retailers and distributors, online listings are up-to-date, and buyers have access to stock. She also helps facilitate direct orders with buyers as well, including special bulk sales. Caitie received her BA in media and communications from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is currently working on her master's degree at Old Dominion University. She is a born and bred Marylander. When not working or reading, she can be found crafting, binge-watching TV, and playing with her dog.

Michelle GarciaMichelle Garcia
Marketing Manager

Michelle is a writer, author, and multimedia artist born and raised in Northern Virginia. Her passion for storytelling led her to Amplify Publishing Group, where she works directly with clients to market their literary works. In 2021, Michelle independently published her debut memoir of poetry and creative nonfiction, Cul-de-sac Angels, which empowered her to pursue a career in book publishing, marketing, and building relationships with other emerging writers. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a BA in English, literature, and creative writing, as well as a BA in communication science and social inquiry. When she’s not writing or reading multiple novels at a time, you can find Michelle snail-mailing pen pals, baking desserts, attending indie music concerts, and hanging out with her cat and goldendoodle puppy.

Kat CraftKat Craft
Retail and Distribution Administrator

Kat has been creating and telling stories since before she could read. Growing up, she always had a pen and notebook nearby to document all the stories and ideas she came up with. In college, she was hired as a writing coach at Johnson & Wales University’s writing lab and as an English TA to help students strengthen their skills and become more confident in their writing abilities. When she wasn’t working or studying, she strengthened her own skills in the mixed martial arts club. Kat always had an interest in publishing, so she is excited to be part of Amplify Publishing Group today. When she’s not working, you can find Kat working on her novel, playing Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, or traveling.

Debbie Nosil
Director, Bookkeeping

Debbie has been with Amplify Publishing Group for over ten years and set up the policies and procedures that helped the company stay organized during a time of incredible growth. She spends her days interacting with authors, vendors, and retailers, and overseeing the bookkeeping team at large.

Alison KrylowskiAlison Krylowski
Senior Bookkeeper

Alison was born and raised in Reston, Virginia, and studied Spanish at George Mason University. After graduating, she spent six months teaching English in Spain, which was a great life experience. While Spanish was what she studied in school, her twenty years of work experience have been in bookkeeping, using some Spanish along the way. She comes from a family of readers, so she is excited to be part of Amplify Publishing Group. In her spare time she likes to read mystery novels, watch crime shows, cook, and work in her garden.

Helen FrankHelen Frank
Bookkeeper

A Fauquier County native with over a decade of bookkeeping experience, Helen assists authors with the financial side of their books. A voracious reader, her favorite place to be is surrounded by books. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in the mountains, crafting, and taking pictures of local fungi.

Soukkhy DrummSoukkhy Drumm
Bookkeeper

Soukkhy loves working with numbers and people, making her position at Amplify Publishing Group the perfect fit. In her free time, she enjoys leisure traveling, gardening, walking, and venturing outdoors, such as in parks and mountains. She also likes reading cookbooks and trying to cook up some of the recipes she finds.

Emily WillettEmily Willett
Administrative Assistant

Stories and books have been a part of Emily's life for as long as she can remember. Both her great-grandmother and grandmother had careers as librarians, her grandfather was a journalist, and her mother writes detective stories. Emily herself earned a BA in English from James Madison University. After graduating, she moved across the world to South Korea where she spent two years teaching English at a private academy. After returning to America, she wanted to continue working in an environment that shared her belief in the importance of words and their impact. When the opportunity to work at Amplify Publishing Group materialized, she knew it was a perfect fit! Emily enjoys being part of a team that supports storytellers and is happy to assist our authors in any way she can.

Join Our Team

Visit our career page to explore open positions, freelance opportunities, and internships.

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Amplify Publishing Group|
620 Herndon Parkway, Suite 220|
Herndon, Virginia 20170
|
Phone: 703-437-3584|
Fax: 703-437-3554|
info@amplifypublishing.com
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