We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julia Drake. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julia below.

Julia, appreciate you joining us today. Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?

In 2020, our business focused primarily on running media campaigns, managing social media services, and organizing book tours for our clients. That year, we had an ambitious lineup of high-profile events planned, both in the U.S. and internationally, which represented a significant portion of our revenue. However, when the pandemic struck, these events faced widespread cancellations.

Drawing on our expertise in film and video production, we quickly pivoted to producing these events online. Adapting to the unique challenges of hosting diverse event formats virtually was a steep learning curve, but it proved to be a rewarding experience.

Over time, live-streamed and virtual events—and later, hybrid formats—emerged as a cornerstone of our business. Today, we’re proud to produce prestigious literary events, including the annual Kirkus Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award Ceremony, cementing our reputation in the industry.

Julia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My husband and I met at UCLA Film School—he was on the directing track, and I was on the screenwriting track. While we shared a passion for filmmaking, we didn’t feel at home in the industry that surrounded it. After creating and directing several successful commercials, series, and films, we decided to shift gears and immerse ourselves in the book industry. Working with authors and publishers has been a deeply fulfilling journey.

Our company, Wildbound, is inspired by what we admire most about talented storytellers: their fearless pursuit of the uncharted territories of the mind. They tread the edge of the unknown, confronting their limits in realms both real and imagined. Their stories move us, challenge us, and bring us closer to our shared humanity, offering narratives that explore, entertain, enlighten, and transform—all within the boundless pages of a book.

At Wildbound PR, we take a deeply personalized approach to every campaign, crafting strategies that reflect each author’s unique voice, message, and aspirations. For us, it’s about more than promotion; it’s about authenticity and purpose. We prioritize projects with depth and social impact, partnering with works that challenge the status quo or spark meaningful conversations around pressing issues.

We believe book campaigns should be dynamic, leveraging expertise across all facets of PR and marketing. Our services include branding, platform building, traditional media placement, online and broadcast media outreach, social media engagement and advertising, website development and optimization, video production and promotion, and both in-person and virtual events. Our goal is to help authors gain earned, owned, and paid exposure while building their brand and career for long-term growth and opportunities.

At Wildbound, we are passionate about elevating stories that matter and helping authors create a lasting impact.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

We’ve built our business on a simple principle: underpromise and overdeliver. We’ve never needed to market ourselves—our growth has come entirely through word of mouth.

In a world oversaturated with noise and endless sales pitches, we focus on cutting through the clutter by fostering genuine, personal connections with our clients. We care deeply, not just about their books, but about them as individuals. By prioritizing relationships and authenticity, we aim to create a partnership that feels meaningful, collaborative, and rooted in mutual respect.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

A client once came to us fresh from academia, presenting her thesis—a deeply insightful examination of misconceptions about women in Iran. Her professors had urged her to transform her research into a book, believing her vital message deserved a wider audience. Captivated by the importance of her work, we decided to take a leap of faith. At the time, she had no platform, no publisher, and no prior experience as an author.

We started from scratch, guiding her through every step of the journey. Together, we refined her manuscript, helped her establish her own publishing imprint, and crafted her identity as a thought leader on women’s rights in Iran. It was a tough process, requiring determination and collaboration, but the results were extraordinary. Her book went on to win multiple awards, and today, she is recognized globally as a leading author, historian, and expert on women’s rights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wildboundpr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildboundpr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildboundpr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wildboundpr
• Twitter: https://x.com/wildboundpr

Image Credits

Wildbound PR