CC’ing Josh Brown

October 9, 2025 | jordan bascom | consortium corner

Josh Brown, Consortium’s manager of operations and metadata (and in-house Star Wars expert), shares his book recs for horror, fantasy, and Rad Women.

Welcome to Consortium Corner, a Q&A series with staff and reps to celebrate Consortium’s 40 years of independent book distribution.

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do at Consortium.

I’ve been with Consortium for 12 years now but have worked in publishing all my life. Before Consortium, I worked in editorial for several small presses, so I feel like I can relate to our clients and their individual needs as a small press. My favorite thing about working at Consortium is being able to experience all the new titles each season. It really is a treat to have a part in delivering all these books to readers across the world. Outside of Consortium I enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons, reading (of course!), playing video games, hiking and walking the dog, biking, going on drives in the car, and following NBA basketball.

What are 5 Consortium titles you love and why?

The Bear by Andrew Krivak (Bellevue Literary Press)
You can feel nature’s peaceful and comforting presence wrap around you like a warm hug as you read this book. One of those books I read years ago but still think about all the time.

Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren (Imperfect Publishing)
The single most important book for anyone who cares about art and design, as well as everyone who doesn’t. It’s a short book packed with tons of meaning and worth revisiting often.

Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca (CLASH Books)
Thoughtful supernatural thriller from the crown prince of horror, Eric LaRocca. With hints of Stephen King, LaRocca’s writing has an almost eldritch or cosmic feeling to it as well. Engaging and expertly done.

So Far So Good by Ursula K. Le Guin (Copper Canyon Press)
Ursula K. Le Guin’s presence and influence on the literary world is powerful and unmatched. Her poetry collection, So Far So Good, is enjoyable and easily accessible in that it feels pure, at times humorous, and always relevant.

Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! by Kate Schatz, illus. Miriam Klein Stahl (City Lights Publishers)
A viral sensation long before TikTok was even a thing, Rad American Women A-Z is a timeless collection featuring inspiring women spanning several centuries and multiple professions. With unique and amazing illustrations, the book has something for everyone including girls and boys and kids and adults.

Outside of Consortium titles, what books have you enjoyed recently?

I’m a huge Brandon Sanderson fan, and currently I’m working my way through Wind and Truth which is book 5 of Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive.

Can you share any special or formative experiences you’ve had with bookstores and libraries?

Each time I go to the library with my kids it’s a magical experience, even now when they are older. We have an incredible library system in our county (Hennepin County); we have a choice of 40 different libraries to visit and explore.

I’ve had too many great experiences at local bookstores to count. One of my favorite times ever was back in 2015 when Magers & Quinn hosted a marathon reading of Beowulf to mark National Readathon Day. Everyone took turns reading all the way through, it was a blast.

In your time at Consortium, what memorable or meaningful moments stand out?

My very first day on the job we had a new publisher visiting the office in person—right away in the morning. The publisher was Françoise Mouly from TOON Books. I was very nervous to meet her! We met in the conference room and all the Consortium employees were going around the table introducing themselves. When it came around to me, I said, “I’m Josh and I’ve worked here for about 10 minutes now!” I hadn’t even met all of my new co-workers yet! Everyone had a good laugh.

‍