Welcome to PR by the Book

Her desk sat just outside her boss’s office, where she was personally mentored in the art of book publicity. In those days, PR was all about the phone—what Marika fondly refers to as her “smiling and dialing” days. She learned to pitch media with nothing but her voice and a well-crafted story, and she loved it.

There was a leaderboard in the office, tracking media hits, and Marika quickly proved she had a natural talent for landing coverage. She continually placed at the top, fueled by her drive and her ability to form genuine connections with journalists. It wasn’t long before she took over managing the firm, learning the ins and outs of publicity at an accelerated pace. But she wanted more—more control over the types of books she promoted, more creativity, and more opportunities to shape the way authors and books found their audiences.

In 2002, with the support of her husband, Doug—who had been working as an account manager at an ad agency—together, they launched PR by the Book. The name itself was a nod to the strategy and structure she brought to the wild world of publicity, but also to the heart of the business: finding readers for books. From day one, PR by the Book was built on Marika’s love of media (her focus in college was TV reporting) and storytelling, blending traditional PR expertise with an innovative, personal approach to promoting authors.

A copy of The Little Engine That Could sits in Marika’s office, a symbol of the determination that fueled PR by the Book’s early years. She built the company on a foundation of integrity and transparency, always giving potential clients an honest assessment of what PR could—and couldn’t—do for them. PR by the Book became known not just for its media wins, but for its ethical approach and the strong relationships it fostered.

As the literary landscape evolved, so did PR by the Book. Marika was no longer “smiling and dialing,” but leading a powerhouse team of campaign managers, each with over 2 decades of experience in the book publicity industry. The company’s unique strengths set it apart in an ever-changing media world:

• A senior team with unparalleled experience.
• A level of communication that ensures authors are always in the loop.
• Digital services tailored to modern book promotion.
• The ability to be nimble and customize campaigns to fit each author’s needs.
• A foundation of integrity, with transparency at every step.
• A commitment to connection, fostering relationships beyond a single campaign.
• The ability to pivot and go the extra mile—what Marika calls lagniappe, that little something extra.

Marika’s reputation extends beyond PR by the Book. A natural connector, she served as president of Women Communicators of Austin, has served as an expert for the Independent Book Publishers Association, served on the “kids committee” for the Texas Book Festival and on the board of San Diego Writers Festival. She is a sought-after speaker in the publishing industry, having shared her expertise at Publishing Innovations, the San Francisco Writers Conference, Digital Book World, Book Expo America, IBPA’s Publishing University, and the Writers’ League of Texas, among others.

Beyond books, Marika has spent over two decades as a travel writer, now serving as Travel Editor for Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She’s a familiar face on Texas television, regularly sharing stories about destinations near and far (utilizing that TV reporter experience from university).

Today, PR by the Book is a testament to Marika’s vision—a firm that champions authors, elevates stories, and connects books with the audiences that need them. What started as a dream in 2002 has become a legacy, built on the simple but powerful idea that great books deserve to be discovered.