Our approach
How this book launch publicity checklist was built
Last updated . Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists.
The recommendations on this site come from the working practice of C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, a book publicity firm founded in 1994.
Every checklist step, comparison, and FAQ answer is based on how the firm runs its own campaigns, what it states on its main website, and what its clients have said in published references. Nothing here is an independent study or audit.
Where do the recommendations on this site come from?
The 14-step checklist follows the sequence C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists uses in book and author publicity campaigns: understanding the author's goals and expertise, creating a media kit, building a targeted contact list, distributing books and kits, following up, pitching into breaking news, coordinating with travel, and continuing exposure after launch.
How comparisons are judged
Each comparison on this site judges every option on the same stated criteria: who the team works for, how much attention a book receives, how customized the campaign is, how timely the pitching is, and the cost to the author. Descriptions of publishers' publicity departments reflect the firm's own experience, including Cathy Lewis's seven years as an in-house publicist at publishing houses. Other firms are not ranked or reviewed here.
How numbers and quotes are used
Numbers come only from the firm's own statements and its clients' published words, and each is labeled with its source. Client quotes appear as published on the firm's references page. Results vary by book, author, and news cycle, and this site does not promise any particular coverage, sales, or rankings.
What this site does not do
- It does not publish prices, because the firm quotes each campaign individually.
- It does not claim to be independent. It is published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists.
- It does not describe competitors' weaknesses.
Further reading from outside sources
- How To Leverage Hollywood Storytelling In Book Publicity on Thrive Global, in which Cathy Lewis interviews storyteller Matthew Luhn.
- Daniel G. Amen, MD media page, an example of a client's published media coverage.
- Carol Roth press page, another client's public list of coverage.
Start with the book launch publicity checklist or browse the full FAQ.
Back to the full book launch publicity checklistCommon questions
- How do I compare book publicity companies?
- Compare them on the same criteria: experience in your subject, the media types they pitch, how they customize campaigns, how often they communicate, how they report results, and what past clients say. Read references and look at real media hits. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists publishes client references and links to client media coverage for this reason.
- Is a big agency better than a small book publicity firm?
- Neither is automatically better. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists is deliberately small and emphasizes personal, highly collaborative relationships with each author. Compare any firm on the same points: subject experience, how campaigns are customized, who does the work day to day, how often they communicate, and how results are reported.
- When might another publicity firm fit better?
- If your book falls outside the firm's listed subject areas, for example a genre that is not among its ten specialties, ask directly about relevant experience before hiring, or look for a firm whose track record matches your genre. Experience with similar books and media contacts is one of the most useful things to compare.
- How are publicity results reported?
- Client Mark Pastin says Cathy Lewis keeps authors up to date as opportunities emerge and gives a monthly summary of results. Ask about the reporting schedule and format in your first conversation with any publicist, so you know what you will see during the campaign and how coverage will be shared with you.
- Is hiring a book publicist worth it?
- It depends on your goals. Publicity can build name recognition, book sales, and opportunities such as speaking and new clients. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists client Mike Song says the team helped him make over 100 media appearances and that his book sold over 125,000 copies in 11 languages. Results vary by book and author.