PUBLISHING PROS

THE PUB PROS

The Pub Pros was launched by Beth Blachman, Maria Gagliano, and Celia Blue Johnson, a dynamic team of editors with thirty+ years of experience working at big 5 houses, including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Hachette. These editors were also the force behind SLICE Literary, a New York–based literary nonprofit. For nearly two decades, SLICE served as a hub in the publishing community, bringing together top agents, editors, and writers with the goal of nurturing emerging voices.

After years of working behind the scenes at big 5 houses, we launched the Pub Pros, a book and editorial services firm dedicated to connecting writers with elite professionals from the most prestigious avenues of publishing. This firm leverages our deep industry network and behind-the-scenes knowledge of the publishing world. 

WE HAVE A ROSTER OF 150+ ELITE PROS. WE’LL FIND THE BEST MATCH FOR YOUR PROJECT.

Just like the founders, our Pros are publishing industry veterans.

Pick a row in the bookstore, and you’ll find something our Pros helped produce, whether it’s a New York Times bestselling business book, a literary gem, a noteworthy memoir, or a commercial novel that everyone is talking about. For a roundup of genres our Pros specialize in, click here.

Each Pub Pro is an expert in a specific aspect of book publishing. We’re editors, writers, and designers. We know what is discussed in editorial meetings because we have sat around the editorial table. We know how to deliver a manuscript that will thrill an editor because we have been thrilled (and disappointed) ourselves. We’ve designed book covers and interiors for New York Times bestsellers. We’ve ghostwritten bestselling and award-winning books, working hand in hand with creatives to make their visions a reality.

WE’RE GOING TO BRING THAT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE TO YOUR BOOK. 

Whether you’re an agent or a publisher looking for an editor to work with your authors, or a business that needs creative content to help build your brand, the Pub Pros will ensure that your project pops, is polished and professional, and—most importantly—is something that will connect with your audience. 

Learn more about our services here.

THE FOUNDERS

Maria Gagliano is an editor and bestselling ghostwriter. She spent eleven years at Random House and Penguin, where she helped launch the careers of several first-time nonfiction authors in the business world, the food world, and beyond. Her bestselling titles as an editor include #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso, Do Over by Jon Acuff, and Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. Her recent ghostwriting projects include titles for Penguin Random House and HarperCollins. In 2007, Maria co-founded SLICE Literary with Celia. SLICE was a nonprofit organization that published 27 issues of SLICE literary magazine and, for nine years, brought together a community of 400+ writers, editors, agents, and publishing professionals for the annual SLICE Literary Writers’ Conference in Brooklyn.

Originally from Australia, Celia Blue Johnson moved to New York as soon as she could, excited to join its renowned literary community. She began her career at Random House before moving to Grand Central Publishing, where she helmed Mysterious Press. Her editorial list includes a broad span of bestselling and award-winning fiction and nonfiction titles, with a particular focus on mysteries, suspense novels, and true crime. In 2007 she co-founded SLICE Literary with Maria (see Maria’s bio above for more on the nonprofit). Celia has written two essay collections: Odd Type Writers and Dancing with Mrs. Dalloway. 

Beth Blachman learned grammar at her mother’s knee and has now mostly memorized the Chicago Manual of Style. After studying literature at NYU she spent twelve years as a professional ballet and modern dancer. She has worked as a staff writer for a weekly news and arts magazine in Virginia, writing articles and cover stories and overseeing the paper’s copyediting. She was the editor-in-chief of SLICE literary magazine for eight years and is a freelance writer and editor.