Description

Help bring short books with big arguments into the cultural conversation.

Prickly Paradigm Press is seeking an experienced, creative, and resourceful Publicist who is passionate about independent publishing to develop and execute publicity campaigns for select titles across on a per-project basis. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced freelance publicist or publishing professional who enjoys working collaboratively while managing campaigns independently.

About Prickly Paradigm Press

Prickly Paradigm Press is a small, mission-driven publisher dedicated to unconventional approaches drawn from across the scholarly disciplines. Since 2002, we have published nearly 60 pamphlets on topics ranging from anarchism to artificial intelligence. Now under new leadership, we’re deepening our commitment to informed historically informed thinking, drawing on scholarship from across the disciplines to bring depth and perspective to questions of broader public concern. Dispatches, our editorial supplement, gives editors, authors, and invited contributors a space to amplify and respond to the printed word.

Our ideal publicist is excited by nonfiction that intersects with culture, politics, history, social issues, and contemporary thought—and understands how to position these books for broad public engagement.

The Role

Working closely with the publisher, authors, and external partners, you will lead 2 short seasonal campaigns each year promoting upcoming titles. Currently the press is publishing one book this fall and four next spring.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing tailored publicity strategies for individual book campaigns.
• Writing press releases, media pitches, and publicity materials.
• Pitching legacy media, including national, regional, trade, and digital publications, as well as new media including podcasts and newsletters.
• Identifying timely news hooks, cultural conversations, and partnership opportunities.
• Coordinating review copy distribution and media follow-up.
• Building and maintaining relationships with journalists, producers, reviewers, podcast hosts, influencers, and event organizers.
• Supporting author interviews, speaking engagements, festival appearances, and virtual events.
• Tracking campaign performance and providing regular status updates and post-campaign reports.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience executing successful publicity campaigns for books, media, cultural organizations, or comparable creative industries.
• Demonstrated success promoting scholarly, academic, or ideas-driven books to general-interest audiences.
• Strong relationships with media across print, digital, broadcast, podcasts, and newsletters.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Outstanding organizational and project management abilities.
• The ability to manage multiple campaigns independently while maintaining close collaboration with a small publishing team.
• Creative thinking and strong news judgment with an eye for compelling story angles.
• Experience working directly with authors and external stakeholders.
• A passion for books, publishing, and bringing important ideas to wider audiences.
• Experience working with nonfiction publishing, independent presses, or mission-driven organizations is particularly welcome.

Contract Details

• Project-based independent contractor position.
• Flexible, remote work arrangement.
• Campaigns assigned on a per-title or seasonal basis.
• $4,000 per seasonal campaign