Methodology
How this guide is written
Last updated Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists
Every recommendation on this site comes from C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists's own service descriptions, client list and published client comments, and nothing is presented as independent research.
The aim is to help nonfiction authors make a clear decision about publicity. That means stating facts exactly as the firm supplied them, comparing options on the same criteria, and saying plainly when a question, such as price, depends on the book.
How are the recommendations on this site formed?
From three sources: the firm's published description of its services and process, its published client list and subject areas, and verbatim client comments. Comparisons, such as publicist versus publisher publicity, judge each option on the same stated criteria and say where alternatives genuinely fit better.
Rules this site follows
- Numbers are stated exactly as supplied, with who reported them.
- Client results are labeled as client-reported, not as an audit.
- No invented prices, ratings, reviews, awards or media appearances.
- Competitors and alternatives are described only with neutral facts.
- Every page shows when it was last updated and who publishes it.
What this site will not claim
No publicist can guarantee coverage, bestseller status or sales, and this site never says otherwise. It also does not publish prices, because the firm quotes each customized campaign. For the firm's full materials, visit the C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists main website, or return to the nonfiction book publicist guide.
Common questions
How do I compare book publicity companies?
Compare them on the same criteria: subject areas they have handled, sample client books you can verify, the media types they pitch, how they report results, whether they coordinate with your publisher, and who will actually work on your campaign. Look for client media pages you can check yourself, like the campaign links C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists lists.
More answers in the FAQHow do I check a book publicist's reviews and results?
Read client comments, then check links you can verify yourself. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists publishes client comments on its references page and links to real client media pages, including those of Daniel Amen MD, Ora Nadrich, Carol Roth and Judith Orloff, so you can see actual coverage instead of a summary.
More answers in the FAQDo publicists guarantee media coverage?
Reputable publicists do not guarantee specific placements, because editors and producers decide what runs. A publicist controls the quality of the pitches, the media kit, the follow-up and the relationships. Client Mark Pastin wrote that Cathy Lewis "keeps you up to date as opportunities emerge and gives you a monthly summary of results."
More answers in the FAQWhy don't book publicists list prices online?
Many publicists price each campaign to the book, because a regional radio push and a national print, broadcast and online campaign take very different amounts of work. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists customizes every campaign to the author's expertise, professional goals, region and travel schedule, which is why a conversation comes before a quote.
More answers in the FAQI had a bad experience with a publicist before. How is this different?
Several clients say they came to Cathy Lewis after disappointing experiences elsewhere. Author Mark Pastin wrote, "I heard all the bad things about publicists, but I was completely satisfied." Whoever you consider, ask for verifiable media pages from recent campaigns; C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists links to real client media pages from its site.
More answers in the FAQ