Our approach
How this site forms its comparisons
Last updated November 2026. Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists.
Every comparison on this site uses the same stated criteria for each option and relies only on facts from the publisher’s own records and named published sources.
Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists. The firm writes this site and lists its own approach first as its pick. No independent audit or survey was conducted, and nothing on the site should be read as an independent ranking.
The question
How are the recommendations on this site made?
We describe each option with the same kinds of facts: who does the work, any published cost figure, the channels covered, and when it fits. We name the use cases where an alternative is the better choice, such as a freelancer for a short focused push or a publisher’s team for a lead title.
Definition
Which sources does the site use?
Facts about C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists come from the firm’s own website: its services, subjects, clients, references, FAQ, and about pages. Market figures come from two named published sources, linked wherever they appear: Everything PR’s 2026 comparison of book publicity firms and Bestseller Publishing’s 2026 guide. Client comments are quoted word for word, sometimes shortened, never altered.
We do not invent ratings, review counts, prices, or outcomes. Where the firm has not published a fact, such as its prices, we say so and point readers to the firm for an answer.
Criteria
Criteria used in every comparison
| Criterion | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Who does the work | A team, an individual, in-house staff, or the author |
| Published cost | Only figures from named published sources |
| Channels | Print, radio, television, podcasts, online |
| Best fit | The launch situations where each option makes the most sense |
See these criteria applied on the book publicity options comparison and the book publicity services guide.
Questions
Common questions
Where can I read book publicity services reviews?
Read reviews on a firm’s own references page, then verify them against real coverage. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists publishes client comments on its references page and links to client media pages. This site’s reviews page quotes four of those comments word for word, with each author’s name and book.
What should I ask before hiring any book publicist?
Ask which podcasts, trade publications, or broadcast segments the firm placed clients on in the last 12 months, and request dated milestones at 30, 60, and 90 days, as Bestseller Publishing recommends. Also ask who handles your campaign day to day, how often you get reports, and how they coordinate with your publisher.
Should I hire a freelance publicist or a publicity firm?
It depends on budget and scope. Freelance marketplaces offer lower entry points; Everything PR reports a Reedsy median of $1,370 for one month. A firm brings a team: author Mark Pastin wrote that Cathy Lewis “has a team of people who work with her so she can cover everything.”
Why hire a publicist instead of relying on my publisher?
A dedicated publicist does nothing but publicity for you. The C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists FAQ explains that large publishers release dozens of titles each season, so unless a book is top tier, the most an author can usually expect is review copies and a press release mailed out with little follow-up.
Do book publicists guarantee media coverage?
Earned coverage is decided by editors and producers, so in general no publicist controls the outcome. Bestseller Publishing suggests asking for dated milestones at 30, 60, and 90 days so you can hold a firm accountable. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists says it stands by its results and shares real client campaigns as proof.
Is your book launching soon?
Tell C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists about your book, your publication date, and what you want the launch to do for you. The firm builds each campaign around the author, including podcast interviews where they fit.