Book Publicity School provides professional PR support to authors and academics navigating the publication of their books. Powered by Press Shop PR, a top independent literary publicity firm, we draw on years of on-the-ground experience to give writers the tools, strategies, and know-how to successfully promote their work.
Press Shop PR has worked on media campaigns for #1 New York Times bestsellers including ON TYRANNY by Tim Snyder, MARCH by Rep. John Lewis, and WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE IN 3D by Neil deGrasse Tyson, as well as a wide range of nonfiction, literary fiction, memoir, academic titles, short story collections, and poetry. Press Shop regularly lines up coverage in outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, & shows on NPR, MSNBC, & CNN.
Leah Paulos, founder of Book Publicity School and Press Shop PR, has spent over 25 years at the intersection of books and media. She has led publicity campaigns for hundreds of authors, securing media coverage and events while guiding them through the world of publishing. Wanting to support more writers than Press Shop PR could accommodate, Leah created Book Publicity School to share her expertise and passion with a wider audience at an accessible price.
She has spoken on book publicity at venues including the Columbia School of Journalism and the Authors’ Guild, and on podcasts like Brad Listi’s Otherppl and The Writer Files. Leah began her career as a magazine editor at Condé Nast and went on to write and edit for several national publications. A Cornell University graduate (1998), she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and co-book publicist, Andy Davis, and their two boys.
Emma McGlashen (she/they) is the Director of Book Publicity School and a publicist with Press Shop PR. She co-creates all of our programming, manages author relations, and oversees our advertising and marketing campaigns.
She is an alum of the University of Michigan with degrees in Literature, Neuroscience, and Drama. In her free time, she is the creative director of Murmuration Theatre Company, a Brooklyn-based independent theatre organization.
Sophie Smith (she/her) is the Community Manager at Book Publicity School, fostering relationships with authors across multiple platforms. Her aim is to put as many writers as possible in touch with the resources and support we provide in our workshops, social media, and other programs.
A graduate of Sewanee University, Sophie has a degree in English Literature and French. Outside of Book Publicity School, she also works in event planning, communications, and copywriting. She loves reading and drawing in her free time, and she’s famous for her chocolate chip cookies.
Madeleine (Maddie) Barnes (she/her) is a writer and visual artist who has worked with Press Shop PR since 2017. She is the author of one full-length poetry collection and four chapbooks, and she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.
At Book Publicity School, she wears many hats — she works on web design, marketing, social media, and curriculum development. Over the years, she has helped Press Shop with numerous high-profile campaigns, projects, and collaborations. This experience, in combination with her writing background and practice, continually informs her dedication to helping authors skillfully and creatively represent their work.
Among the books Press Shop PR has worked on:
Book Publicity School is powered by Press Shop PR,
which was featured 2x in the Observer's annual list
of the country’s top PR companies.
“Today’s media environment is noisy, fast-paced, and fractured—it’s really hard for any author to break through. In our workshops, we share insider insights and our tried-and-true strategies to help you get attention for your book at an affordable price. Every author needs expert advice and energetic support from a publicist. We are thrilled to offer it through our programs!”
—Leah Paulos, founder of Book Publicity School and Press Shop PR