A guide for expert authors
Nonfiction book publicist for authors who want to be the expert
Last updated Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists
A nonfiction book publicist gets you and your book in front of editors, producers and podcast hosts so the media treats you as the go-to expert on your subject.
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists is a small nonfiction book publicist firm, founded in 1994, that builds customized print, radio, television and internet campaigns for business, health, self-help and parenting authors. The goal is name recognition that sells books and opens doors to speaking engagements, new clients and future book deals.
What does a nonfiction book publicist do?
A nonfiction book publicist turns your expertise into news. Instead of only announcing that a book exists, the publicist pitches story ideas that connect what you know to what editors, producers and hosts are covering this week, then follows up until interviews, features and bylined articles run.
Definition: nonfiction book publicity
Nonfiction book publicity is earned media coverage that positions an author as a credible expert: interviews, reviews, features, op-eds and bylined articles across print, radio, television, podcasts and online outlets. At C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, a campaign starts with a conversation about your expertise, media experience and professional goals, then moves to a custom media kit and a steady stream of timely pitches. The firm describes its aim plainly: it does not just follow the news, it turns clients into news.
C.S. Lewis & Co. by the numbers
These figures come from C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists and its clients. Client figures are what those clients reported about their own books, not an independent study.
- Year Cathy Lewis launched the firm
- 1994
- Cathy Lewis's in-house publicist experience at publishing houses first
- 7 years
- Subject areas with an established track record
- 10
- Offices: Woodstock, New York, and Boynton Beach, Florida
- 2
- Media appearances client Mike Song reported for The Hamster Revolution
- 100+
- Copies in 11 languages Mike Song reported selling
- 125,000+
Health book publicist
Health, medical, diet and nutrition books are one of the deepest parts of the client list. Physicians and wellness experts make strong media guests because health stories break constantly, and a credentialed author can explain them in plain words on deadline.
Sample titles include Change Your Brain Every Day by Daniel G. Amen MD, Dr. Susan Lark's Hormone Revolution by Susan Lark, MD, and Positive Energy by Judith Orloff, MD.
Which nonfiction subjects does the firm cover?
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists lists an established track record with books and authors in ten subject areas:
- Business
- Careers
- Work/Life
- Parenting
- Health
- Diet/Nutrition
- Food/Cookbooks
- Self-Help
- Human Potential
- New Age/Spirituality
Self-help, parenting and human potential authors have their own guide: publicity for self-help and parenting authors.
Publicist, publisher or do it yourself?
Most nonfiction authors choose between three routes. The table compares them on the same criteria. It reflects how C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicistsdescribes publisher publicity, so read it as the firm's view.
| Criterion | Independent publicist | Publisher team | Do it yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it works for | You, the author | The publisher and its full list | You |
| Campaign tailoring | Built around your expertise, goals, region and travel | Usually reserved for top-tier titles | As much as your time allows |
| Breaking news pitching | Same-day pitches tied to unfolding stories | Rarely possible across many titles | Possible if you watch the news daily |
| Media relationships | Established contacts with editors and producers | Strong for review outlets | Built from scratch |
| Cost to the author | Quoted per campaign | Included with publication | Your time |
How does a campaign work?
Every campaign is customized, but the core sequence is consistent:
Goals conversation
Your expertise, media experience and professional goals.Media kit
Background, story ideas, interview topics and bylined article ideas.Distribution and follow-up
Books and kits to the contacts that matter, then persistent follow-up.Timely pitching
A continual stream of pitches aligned with breaking news.Interviews and placements
Print, radio, TV, podcast and online coverage, with regular updates.
Read the step-by-step campaign guide, or see what shapes book publicist cost.
What clients say
“Cathy Lewis helped me launch my bestselling book, The Hamster Revolution: Manage Your Email Before It Manages You. Her team helped me make over 100 media appearances, including appearing on CNN and Good Morning America. We sold over 125,000 copies in 11 languages. Cathy and her team were a big part of that success.”
“Cathy worked diligently and brought great ideas to promote our book From Smart to Wise, and has been able to generate a good amount of buzz in both radio and online publishing media. She is hard working, connects well with people, and comes up with creative ideas to produce results. For thought leaders, Cathy is a great person to work with.”
More guides and outside reading
- How expert positioning wins press and speaking work
- Who publishes this guide and how its recommendations are formed
- The C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists main website
- Nonfiction Authors Association, a community and education resource for nonfiction writers
- The Authors Guild, the professional organization for published writers in the United States
Common questions
What does a nonfiction book publicist do?
A nonfiction book publicist gets an author and their book into the news as an expert source. At C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists that means building a media kit, pitching editors and producers, following up, and securing print, radio, television, podcast and online interviews, reviews, features and bylined articles that position the author as a newsworthy expert in their field.
More answers in the FAQHow much does a book publicist cost?
Book publicist cost depends on campaign length, media mix and any add-on services, and C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists does not publish set prices on its website. The reliable way to get a figure is to describe your book, launch date and goals through the firm's contact page and ask for a quote that prices each piece of the campaign.
More answers in the FAQWhen should I hire a book publicist?
Before your book launches. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists gives top priority to authors and publishers with a book launching soon, because a media kit, outreach list and pitch angles take time to build, and many outlets plan coverage well ahead. Get in touch as soon as you have a firm publication date.
More answers in the FAQShould I hire a publicist or let my publisher handle publicity?
If your book is not on your publisher's top-tier list, an independent publicist usually adds a great deal. According to C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, large publishers' publicity departments rarely have the time, budget or staff to tailor a campaign to each author, so many books receive a mailing to reviewers with little or no follow-up.
More answers in the FAQCan a publicist help me get speaking engagements?
Yes, as part of a broader team. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists can add speaker services from professionals it works with frequently, aimed at lucrative or professionally valuable speaking opportunities that support book sales, reach targeted audiences and create new business. Regular media exposure also builds the credibility that event organizers look for.
More answers in the FAQAre there book publicists for indie authors?
Yes. Many book publicists work with independent authors as well as publishers. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists works directly for authors and builds campaigns around the author's expertise and goals rather than the size of the publisher. If your title is self-published, describe it through the firm's contact page to confirm it is a fit.
More answers in the FAQ