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Ty Wilson Named PW Sales Rep of the Year 2025
Ty Wilson, a sales representative for Ingram Publisher Services brands, including Publishers Group West and Two Rivers, has earned the prestigious title of Sales Rep of the Year in 2025. This accolade comes after he was nominated in the previous year, ultimately culminating in this recognition of his contributions to the industry.
Residing in Sonoma, California, Wilson manages sales across a broad territory in Northern California, which stretches from Mendocino to Santa Cruz and all the way to Sacramento. His career in the book industry began in 1984 at Tower Books in Sacramento, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the national adult frontlist buyer. He later served as the adult frontlist buyer for six Copperfield’s Books locations in the Bay Area.
In a reflection on his career, Wilson remarked, “This business is still very much a personal business,” emphasizing the importance of nurturing positive relationships and leveraging good word-of-mouth. He expressed a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness within the publishing ecosystem, commenting, “It’s that chain from editor to rep, from rep to bookseller, from bookseller out into the public.”
Two years ago, Wilson had a significant interaction with Katie Raissian, who, at the time, was a senior editor at Grove Atlantic and is now an executive editor at Scribner. Knowing of Wilson’s admiration for author Colin Barrett, Raissian sent him an advanced copy of Barrett’s gripping thriller, Wild Houses. Wilson foresaw its potential fit for Bookshop West Portal’s Irish book subscription program and promptly informed the store’s owner, Anna Bullard. The result was a successful sales surge, culminating in the book being longlisted for the Booker Prize, a development that brought Wilson great satisfaction.
Currently, Wilson is concentrating on a select few titles that resonate with him. Noteworthy among his recommendations this year are John Kenney’s poignant exploration of an obituary writer, I See You’ve Called in Dead (Zibby, available now); French author Thomas Schlesser’s American debut, Mona’s Eyes, translated by Hildegarde Serle (Europa Editions, scheduled for August); and Sakina’s Kiss by Indian author Vivek Shanbhag, translated by Srinath Perur, which will be released as a paperback original in June through PGW’s new distribution partner, McNally Editions.
The co-owners of Green Apple Books, Pete Mulvihill and Kevin Ryan, who nominated Wilson for the award, have lauded him as a dependable representative for their Bay Area stores. Mulvihill noted Wilson’s extensive experience and deep knowledge of the market in his nomination, while Ryan highlighted Wilson’s ability to identify standout titles that might otherwise go unnoticed. “He’s long overdue for recognition,” Ryan affirmed.
Michael Barnard, president and general manager of Rakestraw Books in Danville, California, added his voice of support, describing working with Wilson as “a total pleasure.” He praised Wilson’s diligence, knowledge, and dedication to the many publishers he represents. “I cannot think of anyone who deserves this honor more,” Barnard stated in his nomination.
Despite undergoing hip replacement surgery earlier this spring, Wilson plans to return to engaging with the book community by fall, attending sales conferences and trade shows. He humorously anticipates being “the rep wearing the laurel” at these events. Reflecting on the significance of this award, Wilson acknowledged it’s uplifting as he marks his 40-year journey in the book industry, stating, “It makes me feel so good,” while also recognizing the many colleagues and peers who have supported his growth along the way.
Originally published in the April 21, 2025, issue of Publishers Weekly.
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