About Maria Carola

 
 
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Meet Maria

I grew up in New York City surrounded by books, galleys and manuscripts. My parents worked in the editorial departments at Holt, Houghton Mifflin, Random House and Harper Collins (back then it was still called Harper & Row). I truly believe that working with authors (and the agents and editors who acquire them) is in my blood (fun fact: I am related to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). I love the collaborative aspect of bringing an authors message into the world. I love the excitement, the pace, the thrill of securing media opportunities and coming up with new ways to reach the target audience for a book or brand. 

I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” cookie cutter campaign strategy and approach each client with a fresh lens and framework. Every campaign is tailored to the client and I am with them every step of the way from book conception to book launch and beyond.

I am in awe of all the places Maria took me. I could not have done it alone.
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My Approach

 

Your story.

Together we will uncover your unique story and create a campaign to share your unique message with the world.

Your power.

We all have the potential to be a bestseller. Sometimes we need to shift our perspective in order to unlock the possibilities available to us.

Your vision.

Together we will create engaging opportunities to reach your target audience with integrity, authenticity and creativity.

Professional Bio

Maria began her career as an in-house publicist at St. Martin’s Press and later as the Publicity Manager at Kodansha America, where she spearheaded the publicity for the North American office of Japan’s largest publishing company, Kodansha International. After spending five years in-house, Maria began working independently as both a literary publicist and photographer. From coordinating traditional book publicity campaigns, book tours and launches to photographing annual reports, author events, portraits and ads, Maria was able to use her voice, her writing skills, and her camera to amplify her work and the work of her clients. Notable campaigns include work with David Mamet, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Charles Schumer, Princess Takamodo of Japan, Gerry Spence, The Asia Society, Nikon, Starbucks, Cranium, Osho International, iUniverse, Barnes & Noble, I Love NY, American Red Cross, and United Way. Her award-winning photographic work has been published in the United States and Europe and is in the permanent collection of the MoMA as part of their landmark, "Life of the City” exhibition.

In 2014, after experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of her two children, Maria drew upon her experience in publicity and marketing to communicate for better maternal health in America and founded Momma Mosaic, an empowerment and awareness platform dedicated to breaking shame, stigma and stereotypes around motherhood. In 2017 she was named “Ambassador of the Year” by national nonprofit, 2020 Mom (now Maternal Mental Health Policy Center). She has appeared on a variety of media outlets including Refinery 29, Romper, The Girlfriend, The Boston Globe, VeryWell Health, Love What Matters, SheKnows (and Sesame Street!) sharing her candid and authentic perspective of motherhood.

Amidst the ever-shifting media and publishing landscapes, Maria is pleased to be able to merge her passion, strategy, and creativity to help authors of traditionally and self-published books navigate the changing marketplace and share their voice with the world.

Maria studied Documentary Photography at The International Center of Photography. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Goucher College. Maria is also is a Certified Life Coach, a Certified Health Coach and a DONA-trained birth and postpartum doula. She has been mentored by some of today’s leading change makers, coaches and thought leaders. She lives in New York City.

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