University of South Carolina Press Names Chris Johns as Sales and Marketing Director

The University of South Carolina (USC) Press has announced the appointment of publishing veteran Chris Johns as its new Sales and Marketing Director. Johns officially assumed the role on July 8, 2026.

Johns brings nearly three decades of senior-level book publishing experience, including an 18-year tenure as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Tuttle Publishing, a prominent publisher of Asian-culture books. At Tuttle, he managed national accounts, oversaw international rights, led global sales forces, directed distribution partners, and guided strategic marketing and acquisitions. Previously, Johns served as the Director of Specialty Retail at Abrams, where he spearheaded sales and marketing initiatives.

Over the last three years, Johns has worked as a publishing consultant while pursuing personal writing projects, which included attending the Iowa Writers' Summer Workshop at the University of Iowa and completing a family memoir.

In his new capacity at USC Press, Johns will join the leadership team, contributing directly to strategic planning. He will supervise marketing, sales, and publicity efforts, work closely with booksellers and sales representatives to maximize market presence, and manage two staff members.

“Chris is a true publishing professional—one who appreciates authors, values books in all formats, and loves to get the right book into the hands of the reader who has been waiting for just that title,” said Michael J. McGandy, director of USC Press. “All of us are looking forward to working with Chris, and I know we will benefit from his experience and energy.”

Johns expressed enthusiasm about joining the university press, noting his admiration for the publisher's regional focus.

“I'm excited to join the friendly and talented folks at USC Press and add my publishing acumen to their important work,” Johns said. “I admire the press's broad range of books on Southern cuisine, culture and history, which strives to tell an accurate and ongoing story of who we are.”

Established in 1944, the University of South Carolina Press is one of the oldest and most distinguished publishers in the American South. The press extends the university's core mission by publishing premier academic scholarship and authentic stories that impact local and global communities.