Publisher — Joe Ricker
Joe Ricker is the driving force behind Down & Out Books, steering the press with a mix of streetwise grit and literary precision. A novelist and editor with deep roots in crime fiction, Ricker brings years of experience working with authors who know the dark corners of human nature. Under his leadership, Down & Out continues to champion the outsiders—writers whose voices cut sharp and true through the noise of today’s publishing world.
Director of Operations — Michelle Gouveia
Michelle Gouveia is the strategic backbone of Down & Out Books, overseeing the systems and workflows that keep the press running sharp. She manages production timelines, distribution channels, metadata, and vendor relationships, ensuring every title moves smoothly from manuscript to marketplace. Drawing on years of experience in independent publishing operations and business administration, Michelle keeps the list lean, efficient, and focused on the kind of crime fiction that hits hard.
Senior Editor — Nate Perry
As Senior Editor, Nate Perry brings a seasoned editorial vision and deep respect for the craft of storytelling. He works closely with authors to shape their manuscripts across multiple genres, including noir, crime, and transgressive fiction. His focus is on honing in the existing style and voice of an author through refining what makes them unique.
Nate holds an MFA from the University of Nevada and his experience in publishing has been sharpened by working in various capacities with small presses and new authors in order to make their work land with maximum narrative and emotional impact.
Acquisitions Manager — Dustin Pawlikowski
Dustin P is on the front lines of discovery for Down & Out Books. He scouts new voices and established pros alike, curating a list of gritty, voice‑driven crime fiction that fits the press’s reputation for uncompromising storytelling. Combining experience in submissions evaluation, developmental editing, and author outreach with an academic background in literature and creative writing, Dustin builds relationships with writers who push the genre into darker, stranger, and more compelling territory.
Creative Director — Zach Terry
Zach Terry gives Down & Out Books its visual edge. A designer and illustrator with a storyteller’s instinct, he creates the covers, interiors, and branding that define the press’s look on shelves and screens, from moody photographic noir to bold graphic pulp. Trained in digital art and design and active in genre and indie‑publishing spaces, Zach has contributed art and design to a wide range of book, game, and media projects, and shares his work under his social handle @silent_realms on Instagram and Reddit.