We are dedicated to making graphic novels, manga, games and other pop-culture merchandise available to bookstores, libraries, schools, mass merchants and more worldwide. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, we are committed to helping our client publishers tell their stories, grow their businesses, and reach new customers. We work to provide insight at every stage of the publishing process — from initial concept, to marketing, sales, and distribution.
At Diamond, you will always be able to put a face to a name. We pride ourselves on being accessible to our clients, focusing on keeping direct lines of communication open to our dedicated team of experts.
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TONY LUTKUS is President of Diamond Book Distributors. He has built an international publishing career in marketing, sales, and distribution at the most prominent publishers in the United States including Hachette Book Group and Penguin Random House.
RICH JOHNSON is VP of Sales and Business Development at Diamond Book Distributors. Johnson has been in almost all aspects of bookselling; store manager, buyer, publisher, writer, editor, and publishing consultant.
Most recently he was VP of Lion Forge Comics, which acquired Lighter Than My Shadow—a graphic memoir that was named Best Graphic Novel of the Year by Amazon. Johnson was also the Co-Founder of Yen Press, a manga imprint for Hachette. Previously, as VP of Book Trade Sales for DC Comics, he was at the forefront in establishing graphic novels in the bookstore and library markets.
Johnson is also an Adjunct Professor at Pace University and is currently writing a series of Marvel art books for Rizzoli which include Spider-Man: Webslinger, Hero, Icon.
EMILY BOTICA is the Director of Publisher Relations & Trade Marketing at Diamond Book Distributors. Emily came to Diamond fifteen-plus years ago from Borders & Waldenbooks where she was first a marketer for genre fiction and graphic novels/manga and then a buyer of backlist fiction, classics & collections, and graphic novels & manga. Since coming to Diamond, Emily has worn many hats, from Sales Manager to Associate Director of Sales to Director of Sales and Marketing before landing at the thing she does best, managing publishers.
When she isn’t collaborating with publishers about their fabulous new books, she’s spending time with her cats Chuck and Larry and standing outside with her binoculars bird-nerding.
MARKETING
ASHLEY KRONSBERG is the Marketing Manager for Diamond Book Distributors and the Editor of Diamond BookShelf Magazine. She has been with Diamond for over seven years and oversees all lifecycle marketing for our Diamond’s book market client-publishers. Along with creating and executing marketing plans for key titles, Ashley curates, edits, and publishes Diamond BookShelf Magazine—a triannual magazine providing resources to librarians and educators about comics and graphic novels.
When she isn’t standing on the rooftops screaming her heart out about the latest graphic novels and manga, she can be found crying over the latest slice of life anime she was not emotionally prepared for, pocket healing in the dungeons of Azeroth, or hunting skags on the outskirts of Pandora.
SALES MANAGERS
DEVIN FUNCHES is the Sales Manager overseeing sales to mass merchandise retailers and to independent booksellers at Diamond Book Distributors. Devin came to Diamond one year ago from Z2 Comics where he was the director of retail sales. Prior to that he worked at Oni Press, Lion Forge Entertainment and BOOM! Studios selling and marketing graphic novels.
When he isn’t working his way through his ever-growing TBR pile he can be found either playing Monster Hunter, watching anime, or hanging out with his family.
STUART CARTER is a sales manager at Diamond Book Distributors. Stuart is currently responsible for Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million and Kinokuniya. Stuart came to Diamond 20 years ago from Borders & Waldenbooks where he created the graphic novel section for Walden while also buying Regional titles, Maps and other categories. Since coming to Diamond, Stuart worked with Amazon to create their graphic novel page/section and also worked with airports and specialty retailers.
When he isn’t selling the latest hot titles into the book market, Stuart is a staunch fan of anything Philly sports (Go Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and Flyers!) and spends a lot of time perfecting his various granola recipes.
TERRY HELMAN is the Associate Director of Online and Wholesale Accounts for Diamond Book Distributors. He has been with Diamond for over twenty years with most of that time focused on the book market. Starting as a Sales Manager handling various booksellers, Terry now focuses on the online and wholesale channels, working with accounts like Amazon and Ingram.
When he isn’t lost among his overflowing bookshelves, you might find him getting close to nature, running on nearby trails. He is most grateful to his aunt, who often took him to the corner store to pick out comics from a spinner rack.
PHIL GIBSON is a Key Accounts Manager for Diamond Book Distributors working in International territories such as the UK, Europe, UAE and Australasia. He has been in the role for 8+ years and enjoys developing new accounts in new regions, and attending International trade shows. He has been a fan of pop culture for as long as he can remember and has worked in and owned a Comic shop.
A graduate in the sciences he has previously worked in Environmental monitoring and planning. When not working he can be found at the gym or reading, sometimes at the same time.
SIMON BYRNE has worked for Diamond Book Distributors since 2004, developing and managing key accounts in UK and international territories such as Europe, South Africa, Jordan, and Egypt. Working on sell-in at retailer level and on finding marketing solutions for manga, graphic novels and associated merchandise. Prior to DBD, Simon worked in the advertising departments of the UK Publishing trade press magazines, and he has approximately 25 years of book publishing experience. Before university, he worked in retail for clothing and books and comics.
When he is not working or reading SF and GN, he can be found hanging out with his pal Douglas the Dachshund or on an urban hike somewhere in London.
