Meet the team

  • A man with a beard and wearing a white t-shirt is sitting on a bed, writing in a notebook.

    Shmuel Barber

    Founder & Editor-in-Chief

    Shmuel has an insatiable hunger to unearth fresh voices and breathe new life into seasoned ones. He cultivates stories with care and conviction so that PP (Pynewood Press) publishes sizzling, delicious and daring books.

    He has worked as a writer, editor, journalist, and screenwriter in the UK and Asia and has won multiple awards. He believes Russian literature is the closest to transcendence he’ll ever get.

    In September 2024 he released a collection of short stories. In December 2025 he is releasing another book entitled The Massage of Erasure.

  • A middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and short hair, wearing a black hoodie and a white t-shirt, taking a selfie against a red wall.

    Tim Footman

    Senior Editor

    Tim has worked as a writer, editor and food critic in the UK and Asia. At the age of 14 he decided that Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies is the greatest work of literature ever committed to print and remains convinced of that to this day. Want to prove him wrong?

    Tim’s just as fired up as Darren and Shmuel when it comes to spotting fresh talent and backing seasoned authors. He’s all in on finding and nurturing great stories.

  • Abstract geometric logo for Pynewood Press with a stylized, symmetrical design in dark green, resembling a cityscape or architectural elements, and the text 'PYNEWOOD PRESS' below.

    Darren Palucci

    Digital Marketing Consultant

    Darren brings a helping hand with his creative and marketing expertise, driving web optimisation and crafting social media strategy, whilst exploring and leveraging new AI tools.