OUR COMPANY
Founded in 1994 by award-winning entrepreneur, author, and publisher Milli Brown, Brown Books Publishing Group (BBPG) ushered in a New Era in Publishing®. Through its Relationship Publishing® model, BBPG empowers authors to retain rights and achieve greater profitability.
Today, BBPG is one of the nation’s most successful independent publishers, and in 2020, Publishers Weekly named it a Top-5 Fast-Growing Independent Publisher for the third consecutive year.
Built on an author-first approach, BBPG combines the quality of traditional publishing with the ownership benefits of self-publishing. Its collaborative process and strong author relationships consistently produce high-quality books—while giving authors a level of involvement traditional publishers can’t match.
With a full-service model, BBPG transforms ideas into market-ready content, offering integrated editorial, design, production, distribution, and retail services. Its Agency at Brown Books (ABB) provides scalable marketing, media, and PR support to help authors build their brands.
BBPG’s end-to-end approach has attracted prestigious authors, including New York Times bestsellers and Pulitzer Prize finalists. Its titles have earned numerous awards and regularly appear on major bestseller lists such as The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.
Brown Books Authors Speak About The Brown Books Experience
Listen to what past authors had to say about the Brown Books Publishing Group, the entrepreneurial publisher for entrepreneurial authors.
Imprints
Our original BBPG imprint has a 25-year legacy of successful fiction and non-fiction titles; from history to self-help, business books to biographies, and leadership guides to lifestyle tomes—we develop award-winning work across all genres.
Our award-winning children's imprint, brings stories to life with beautifully illustrated picture books, board books, early readers, chapter books, and young adult books.
NY Times bestselling author Michael Sampson leads our imprint focused on cultivating the joy of reading in children, in keeping with the philosophy of Bill Martin Jr.
Rescue Animals Deserve Our Support, the first nonprofit press to support homeless animals. In honor of the mission of this press, all profits are donated to Operation Kindness, a Texas-based nonprofit animal shelter that provides lifesaving medical care, safe transport to shelters and rescues, and forever homes for homeless dogs and cats across the United States.
Serving with Excellence. At Brown Christian Press, a division of Brown Books Publishing Group, our mission is to serve Christian authors who desire to inspire and enrich the lives of others with a life-changing book.
At The Small Press, our mission is to serve authors who want to share their story. Through this imprint, we provide top-level services on small print runs. For businesses, families, and anyone wishing to inspire those around them.
Business Model
We pioneered Relationship Publishing® to give authors the retail access and advantages of traditional publishing, combined with the profitability and creative control of self-publishing, and our model was developed to deliver several critical advantages.
Learn how hybrid publishing can push your book to new heights.
BBPG authors receive 80 to 90% of the profits from their book sales.
In the traditional publishing model, authors receive an avg. of 7% to 9% of the revenue for each copy sold—and that’s only after the publisher has recouped their advance.
Our authors always retain the rights to their work—and enjoy the perks of being part of the creative process.
Under a royalty contract with a traditional publisher, authors are required to give up the rights to their work, losing all or the majority of their creative control.
We offer full-service distribution backed by a sales force, placing our books in global wholesale and retail channels.
BBPG delivers the same level of global distribution provided by traditional publishers, offering full market access that isn’t available to self-published authors.
What Makes Our Model Different?
At BBPG, authors get the production and distribution quality of a major publisher—but they never have to give up the rights to their work to work with us. We are foundationally different from our competitors because our model was designed for an author-first approach that includes:
No other publisher of our size boasts a sales force as effective as BBPG's. Our highly experienced team works directly with the largest book buyers, giving our titles global exposure and ensuring our books are on shelves at major retailers including:
Our authors retain all rights to their books, earning the majority of the revenue on every copy sold and from foreign, digital, audio, and TV/film rights transactions. BBPG authors have had original series and films picked up by networks and organizations including:
With our staff of industry veterans, we deliver a seamless editorial, design, and distribution process that is unmatched among indie publishers. That means BBPG gets your book to market faster than a traditional publisher, while still maintaining the same production quality. Plus, our sales team will continue to present your book to buyers well beyond the typical three- to six- month push you'll get from a major publisher.
Our Services
Publishing
Whether you're an aspiring writer or a proven talent who has been published by a major house, few—if any—authors have the expertise and resources required to craft a manuscript in line with industry quality and compliance standards. BBPG's end-to-end editorial division ushers you through this complex process with seamless, turnkey solutions designed to elevate each author's dynamic project.
Licensing
BBI is built to deliver a turnkey experience for our authors. In addition to handling the negotiation and management of subsidiary book rights, we collaborate with organizations across the globe for country-specific sales integration, and have developed a broad network of partners who translate, export, and present our titles to retailers around the world.
Social Media Campaigns
Build a sustainable social presence that supports your book without turning you into a full-time content creator. We define which platforms matter, what content drives discovery, and how social reinforces your publicity and sales.
Public Relations
Get your book in front of trade media, reviewers, and industry gatekeepers before launch. We build a coordinated publicity plan that creates early awareness and momentum so your book enters the market with context, not silence.
Distribution
Our distribution services work in synergy with our fulfillment management, and since we handle all book inventory and order processing needs, our publishers and authors can focus on building their brand and business.
Marketing & Advertising
Paid advertising is used strategically at key moments to reach the right readers, not to chase volume. Campaigns are timed and structured to amplify your publicity rather than operate in isolation.
FAQs
Have questions about your publishing options, our business model, and what it really takes to develop a success story? Tap into our answers from our Founder and CEO, Milli Brown.
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Hybrid publishing is a model that combines the best aspects of traditional and self-publishing. In this approach, authors invest in the production of their book while gaining access to a team of professionals who provide services such as editing, design, distribution, and marketing support. This model offers greater creative control and faster timelines than traditional publishing, along with a higher level of quality and support than most self-publishing routes.
Hear our CEO walk through how the model works and who it’s best suited for. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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Before publishing a book, authors should take time to clarify their goals and expectations. Consider what you want the book to achieve whether it’s building credibility, generating revenue, growing a business, or leaving a legacy. It’s equally important to identify your target audience and understand who the book is written for. You’ll also want to evaluate which publishing model best aligns with your goals, whether that’s traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing. Think through the level of support you’ll need in areas like editing, design, and marketing, as well as your available budget and desired timeline. Finally, having a clear plan for how you will market and distribute your book is essential to its success.
Hear our CEO break down the key questions every author should ask before publishing. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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We look for manuscripts that demonstrate a clear purpose and a strong understanding of their intended audience. A well-structured and organized manuscript makes a significant difference, as does originality and an engaging voice that reflects the author’s perspective. We also consider the marketability of the content whether there is a defined niche or readership for the book. While polish is important, a manuscript doesn’t need to be perfect; strong ideas and a willingness to collaborate and refine the work are just as valuable.
Hear directly from our CEO on what stands out in a manuscript and makes it truly publish-ready. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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Not every author needs a literary agent. Agents are typically essential when pursuing traditional publishing, as they act as intermediaries who pitch manuscripts to publishing houses. However, in a hybrid publishing model, authors can work directly with a publisher without needing representation. This allows for a more streamlined process while still benefiting from professional publishing services and guidance.
Hear our CEO explain when you need an agent and when you don’t. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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The timeline for publishing a book typically ranges from six to twelve months, depending on several factors. These include how complete and polished the manuscript is at the start, the level of editing required, and the time needed for design and production. Marketing preparation can also influence the schedule. Authors who come to the process with a well-developed manuscript often move through publishing more quickly.
Get a realistic timeline from our CEO on what to expect during the publishing journey. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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A book cover serves as the first impression for potential readers and plays a crucial role in whether someone chooses to engage with your book. It communicates the tone, genre, and professionalism of the work at a glance. A thoughtfully designed cover not only attracts attention but also builds credibility and trust with your audience, which can significantly influence sales and visibility.
Hear our CEO explain why cover design can make or break your book’s success. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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Ghostwriting is a collaborative process in which a professional writer develops content on behalf of an author. The author provides the ideas, expertise, or story, while the ghostwriter crafts it into a clear, compelling manuscript. Although the ghostwriter does the writing, the author retains full credit and ownership of the finished work.
Hear our CEO discuss how ghostwriting works and whether it’s the right fit for your project. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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Distribution refers to the process of making your book available to readers through various channels. This includes online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as physical bookstores, libraries, and other outlets. Effective distribution ensures that your book is accessible to your target audience wherever they prefer to purchase or discover books.
Learn from our CEO how distribution works and how your book reaches readers worldwide. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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An editor plays a critical role in refining and elevating your manuscript. Through professional editing, your book gains improved clarity, stronger structure, and a smoother flow. Editors also address grammar, consistency, and readability, ensuring that your message is communicated effectively. Ultimately, their work helps transform a solid draft into a polished, professional book.
Hear our CEO share why editing is one of the most important investments you can make in your book. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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In a hybrid publishing model, pricing is typically a collaborative decision between the author and the publisher. While authors often have input, publishers provide guidance based on market standards, comparable titles, and the book’s format and length. The goal is to establish a price point that is competitive while still supporting the book’s profitability.
Hear our CEO explain how book pricing works and how to position your book in the market. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
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Gaining book reviews requires a proactive and strategic approach. Authors can start by sharing advance copies with early readers and leveraging their personal and professional networks. Outreach to bloggers, influencers, and reviewers can also help expand visibility. Launch campaigns often play a key role in generating early momentum, and encouraging readers to leave reviews on retail platforms helps build credibility and discoverability over time.
Hear our CEO outline proven strategies for getting meaningful, credibility-building book reviews. WATCH ON YOUTUBE.
Founder + CEO
Milli Brown
From New York Times bestsellers to Pulitzer Prize candidates, Milli Brown empowers authors as the founder and CEO of Brown Books Publishing Group (BBPG). Milli pioneered a New Era in Publishing® by building BBPG as a fiercely independent, full-service publishing house with an author-first ethos.
Since establishing her Texas-based company, Milli has prioritized one pivotal commitment—developing award-winning books for those who wish to retain the rights to their intellectual property.
Under her leadership, BBPG has continued to evolve with responsive publishing solutions for entrepreneurs, executives, thought leaders, and corporations. In addition to traditional editorial, design, and development services, BBPG has leveraged a 360-degree approach with distribution and promotional options that can be engaged by authors from diverse publishers around the globe.
After all, many authors joined Milli at BBPG to find a better way to publish after working with major houses like Simon & Schuster, Random House, and others.
Milli marked another industry first in 2015 with the launch of The Agency at Brown Books (ABB), introducing a turnkey publicity firm that serves authors from all publishing houses. In 2016, she enhanced BBPG's end-to-end retail distribution with a national sales force to represent the company's catalog to wholesalers and booksellers.
Most recently, Milli and her team expanded ABB's cross-promotional capabilities in 2018, adding an in-house video production studio and premiering an original author spotlight series, Page Turners.
BBPG and ABB authors also continue to make headlines with high-profile media appearances. During the past year, current titles have been featured by CNN, Bloomberg, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Forbes, USA Today, the Washington Post, and many more.