Publicity 101 for Authors with Leah Paulos
In this episode of The Smart Author Podcast, Chris is joined by Leah Paulos, founder of Press Shop PR and Book Publicity School. Leah shares her journey from journalism to becoming a leading book publicist and provides invaluable insights on leveraging PR for your book.
Learn how to craft compelling pitches, build effective media lists, and secure media coverage for your book—without breaking the bank. Discover actionable strategies for promoting your book pre- and post-publication and explore how Book Publicity School empowers authors to navigate the complex world of media and publishing.
Whether you're new to PR or looking to amplify your book's reach, this episode is packed with practical advice.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome, Smart Authors!
01:13 – Meet Leah Paulos
Leah discusses her background in PR, running both Press Shop PR and Book Publicity School.
01:38 – Leah’s Journey to PR
From journalism to PR: Leah’s career evolution and how it shaped her expertise in publicity.
02:19 – The Journalist’s Perspective
How Leah’s experience as a magazine editor helped her understand and excel in PR.
03:13 – Starting Press Shop PR
Leah shares the story of transitioning from consulting to founding her own PR agency.
04:11 – Breaking Into Book Publicity
Leah’s first author client and how it led her to specialize in book publicity.
06:20 – Demystifying Publicity for Authors
Why Leah focused on making PR accessible and jargon-free for authors through her website.
07:05 – The Birth of Book Publicity School
How Book Publicity School was created to help authors access affordable, effective PR resources.
08:17 – The Changing Role of Publishers
Why modern authors need to take charge of their own publicity efforts.
09:30 – Navigating Media and Publishing
How Book Publicity School equips authors to manage these often opaque industries.
11:19 – The Core of Book Publicity School
Leah explains the key elements of the school, including crafting pitches and building media lists.
13:09 – Tailored PR Strategies for Authors
How Leah helps authors refine their messaging and target the right audiences.
15:14 – Building Feasible and Effective Campaigns
The importance of balancing ambitious goals with realistic outreach strategies.
17:00 – Leveraging Media Placements
Using initial media wins to snowball into larger opportunities.
19:27 – The Book as a Long-Term Product
Why authors should view their book as a long-term investment, not a short-term project.
20:26 – Big Name Campaigns
Leah reflects on high-profile projects, including Neil deGrasse Tyson and Representative John Lewis.
23:16 – The Puzzle of Book Publicity
Why Leah finds working with lesser-known authors and books especially rewarding.
24:15 – Giving Journalists a Story
How crafting compelling angles for journalists leads to media coverage.
27:13 – A Unique Approach to Publicity
Why Book Publicity School fills a gap in the market with practical, campaign-based workshops.
28:03 – Where to Find Leah and Her Resources
Details on accessing Book Publicity School, Press Shop PR, and Leah’s monthly free workshops.
30:05 – Thank you for listening
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Connect with Leah:
Book Publicity School
Press Shop
LinkedIn:
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Apple Podcasts: https://links.smartauthormedia.com/apple
