Self-Publishing and Promotion Success

Join Melody Chu, author of Mathey Girls: A Novel , and her publicist Mara Leventhal, as they chart the success of Mathey Girls over its first year. Melody published Mathey Girls in May 2025 and has since participated in numerous library events, book clubs, and community engagements. Mathey Girls was selected for the Princeton Alumni Weekly fall 2026 book club, the first time that a self-published book has been chosen. Melody was also included in Cleveland Magazine 's Most Interesting People 2026. Hear how Melody and Mara launched the novel and generated local interest through press outreach, social media, and events. Mara will explain how to identify your audience, generate a marketing plan, and apply the principles of Mathey Girls' success to promotion of your own work.

Melody Chu, Author and Attorney

Melody Chu writes contemporary fiction featuring complicated Asian American characters. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan. Melody graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School and has practiced as an attorney in Hong Kong, Beijing and the United States. She lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, with her husband and three children. Her debut novel, Mathey Girls , was published in May 2025. In September 2025, Melody hosted a Cleveland Public Library event at the Asiatown ArtBox, attended by nearly 200 community members. She has been interviewed by Kabir Bhatia on Ideastream, featured on FreshWater Cleveland, and included in Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People 2026. Melody regularly speaks to book clubs, writing groups, and community organizations. Contact her at [email protected].

Mara Leventhal, PR and Media Specialist

Mara Leventhal helps artists, nonprofits and community leaders tell their stories and expand their audience. A native Clevelander, Mara moved to New York after graduating from Ohio State University with a B.A. in English. She produced national and international news stories at MSNBC before joining the Communications Department of the American Red Cross in Greater New York. After moving to Miami, she worked between nonprofit and political worlds, including a feminist grantmaking foundation, a political campaign and a government relations firm. Her freelance writing has appeared in Forbes.com, Miami New Times , and Huffington Post , and her PR campaigns for artists and non-profits have garnered stories in outlets including The New York Times , Time Out NY , NBC Miami, and Northeast Ohio's Ideastream Public Media. Mara's volunteer involvement in Miami included leading a women's civic engagement organization and co-hosting a current events radio talk show. She is thrilled to be back in Greater Cleveland with her husband and three children.