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A book publicist secures earned media coverage that introduces a book and its author to the public conversation. That includes pitching journalists and producers, coordinating interviews and features, managing outreach across print, digital, broadcast, and podcasts, and advising on messaging and positioning throughout the campaign.

At Smith Publicity, our work goes further. We collaborate closely with authors to uncover compelling pitch angles, prepare their brand and platform for media attention, and guide important pre-launch networking strategies that engage their existing communities in supporting and celebrating the book. We also plan around news cycles and seasonality, coordinate and vet the right media opportunities, and report results transparently. Throughout the process, we partner with an author’s broader team—including agents, publishing professionals, and marketing teams—to ensure every effort is aligned strategically.

Ideally, authors should begin building their book marketing plan 12 to 18 months before they launch a book. Publicity, or media outreach, often starts six months before your publication date, especially when targeting magazines, major media outlets, podcasts or long-lead opportunities that plan coverage months in advance.

At Smith Publicity, we also work with authors earlier in the writing process to build visibility for their expert brand as well as authors whose books have already launched. In those cases, we focus on timely, evergreen, and expert-driven angles that keep ideas relevant and visible long after publication. We view books not as one-time events, but as long-term professional assets that have the ability to continue creating authority, opportunity, and visibility for years.

The best publicity partnerships start with honest alignment, and we take that seriously from the very first conversation.

Smith Publicity works best with nonfiction authors, experts, and thought leaders who have a clear area of expertise, a defined audience, and a genuine commitment to the process. Our clients come to us ready to engage actively, show up for media opportunities, and think beyond a single book launch toward long-term visibility and credibility.

We’re not the right fit for every project, and we’ll tell you that directly if we don’t think we can deliver meaningful results for your work. What we look for in a strong partnership includes a compelling, well-defined point of view, a book or body of expertise with clear media angles, readiness to invest time and energy alongside our team, and goals that align with what earned media can realistically achieve.

If you’re exploring whether Smith Publicity is the right fit, we welcome that conversation. Our goal is never to take on every project. It’s to build thoughtful partnerships where strategy, expectations, and opportunity are genuinely aligned.

Every engagement begins with understanding your goals, expertise, and message. We partner you with the right team–with layers of support–with deep experience in your genre.

From there, we strengthen your author brand and offer network strategies, clarify your positioning, develop compelling media angles, and conduct targeted media research and outreach tailored to your audience and objectives.

Throughout the campaign, we secure and coordinate podcast and broadcast interviews, print and digital features, contributed content including bylines and op-eds, expert commentary, and book-centric coverage such as excerpts, reviews, and recommendations. We also place strong emphasis on vertical marketing opportunities through association media, trade outlets, organizational platforms, and niche communities — helping you build visibility directly within the industries and audiences most aligned with your work and speaking goals. Strategy adapts as opportunities evolve, and ongoing communication is built into everything we do.

At Smith Publicity, we partner closely with the full ecosystem surrounding your book and brand — from literary agents, editors, publishers, and content creators to speaking partners, marketing teams, and bulk book specialists. We share detailed updates, hold in-depth strategy conversations, and work collaboratively to maximize visibility for your ideas, expertise, and long-term platform.

Every engagement begins with understanding your goals, expertise, and message. We partner you with the right team–with layers of support–with deep experience in your genre. 

From there, we strengthen your author brand and offer network strategies, clarify your positioning, develop compelling media angles, and conduct targeted media research and outreach tailored to your audience and objectives.

Throughout the campaign, we secure and coordinate podcast and broadcast interviews, print and digital features, contributed content including bylines and op-eds, expert commentary, and book-centric coverage such as excerpts, reviews, and recommendations. We also place strong emphasis on vertical marketing opportunities through association media, trade outlets, organizational platforms, and niche communities — helping you build visibility directly within the industries and audiences most aligned with your work and speaking goals. Strategy adapts as opportunities evolve, and ongoing communication is built into everything we do.

At Smith Publicity, we partner closely with the full ecosystem surrounding your book and brand — from literary agents, editors, publishers, and content creators to speaking partners, marketing teams, and bulk book specialists. We share detailed updates, hold in-depth strategy conversations, and work collaboratively to maximize visibility for your ideas, expertise, and long-term platform.

On average, clients should expect to commit five to seven hours per week to support campaign momentum. Some weeks will feel lighter, others, especially around your publication date, may require a bit more attention.

That time typically includes ongoing communication with your publicist, interview preparation and appearances, drafting or outlining contributed articles, responding to expert commentary requests, and regular strategy calls. At Smith Publicity, we understand you are busy. With advance notice of travel or blackout dates, we’ll always work around your schedule.

You can see our complete list of frequently asked questions here.