Which is better, a book publicist or my publisher’s team?
For most authors who want customized, news-driven coverage, an independent publicist working alongside the publisher is the stronger choice. A publisher’s team alone can be enough for top-tier titles, and doing it yourself can fit a small budget or a narrow goal.
These options are not exclusive. C.S. Lewis & Co. says it works closely with publishers’ and businesses’ publicity teams so its efforts complement theirs.
Side-by-side comparison
Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists
| Criterion | C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists | Large publisher team | Small press team | Doing it yourself |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works for | The author | The publisher’s list | The publisher’s list | You |
| Customization | Built around goals, region, and travel | Reserved mostly for top-tier titles | Hard-working, but limited staff | Full control |
| Daily real-time pitching | Yes, often same day | Rarely per author | Limited by staff | If you have time |
| Media relationships | First-name contacts with editors and producers | Strong, spread across many titles | Fewer, per the firm | Starting from zero |
| Channels | Print, radio, TV, internet | Often reviewer mailings | Varies | Usually social and personal outreach |
| Cost to author | Quoted per campaign | Included in the deal | Included in the deal | Your time |
Each option, described fairly
1. Publisher’s own pick
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists
A small firm founded in 1994 by Cathy Lewis, formerly an in-house publicist for seven years. Ranked first because it publishes this guide and because its model, customized multi-channel campaigns tied to the news, matches what this guide recommends for most authors.
2.
Large publisher publicity team
Strong reach and relationships. The firm’s FAQ notes that big houses release dozens of titles each season, so unless a book is on the top-tier short list, an author may get a mailing to reviewers with little follow-up. Best for top-tier titles.
3.
Small press publicity team
Fewer authors to focus on and, as the firm puts it, teams that tend to work hard, but with fewer resources for a strategic campaign per author. Best paired with outside help.
4.
Doing it yourself
Lowest cash cost and full control, but you build relationships from scratch and must track news daily. Best for authors with time and a narrow goal.
How we chose
Every option was judged on the same six criteria shown in the table: who it works for, customization, real-time pitching, media relationships, channels, and cost to the author. Descriptions of publisher teams draw on the C.S. Lewis & Co. FAQ and on what is generally true of each option. No independent audit was performed. This page was written by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, the business that publishes this guide. See the full methodology, or return to the book publicity services guide.
Common questions
Why hire a book publicist if my publisher has a publicity team?
An independent publicist works only for you. C.S. Lewis & Co. notes that large houses publish dozens of titles each season, so unless a book is on the top-tier list, authors may get little more than a mailing to book reviewers with little follow-up. A dedicated publicist can customize the campaign and pitch in real time.
See this answer in the full FAQIs a small press publicity team enough?
It may be for some books. Small press publicity teams tend to work hard with fewer titles, but they also have fewer resources. C.S. Lewis & Co. points out that small presses usually lack the budget and staff to design a strategic campaign for each author, or first-name relationships with hundreds of editors, reporters, columnists, and producers.
See this answer in the full FAQShould I hire a freelance publicist or a book publicity firm?
It depends on budget and scope. Reedsy reports a median of $1,370 for a one-month campaign through its freelancer marketplace, according to Everything PR. A firm such as C.S. Lewis & Co. offers a team: client Mark Pastin noted that Cathy Lewis “has a team of people who work with her so she can cover everything.”
See this answer in the full FAQCan I do my own book publicity?
You can, and many authors handle parts of it themselves, such as a website, newsletter, and social media. What is harder to replicate is daily pitching backed by existing media relationships. C.S. Lewis & Co. builds customized lists of top media contacts with whom it has established relationships and rapport.
See this answer in the full FAQHow do I compare book publicity companies?
Compare them on the same criteria: subject expertise, media channels covered, how they report results, and recent placements. Bestseller Publishing suggests asking for the specific podcasts, trade publications, or broadcast segments a firm placed clients on in the last 12 months. C.S. Lewis & Co. links to real client media pages so you can review campaign results.
See this answer in the full FAQHave a book launching soon?
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists builds customized print, radio, television, and internet campaigns for authors and publishers. Share your book, your publication date, and your goals.
Contact C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists