Research
Book publicity by the numbers
Last updated November 2026. Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists.
Published figures put a one-month book publicity campaign at a $1,370 median and a full campaign at $15,000 to $25,000, with results best judged over 12 months.
This page, published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, collects the published statistics most useful to an author planning a launch. Each is attributed to its source. None of these numbers are the firm’s own figures; the firm’s own facts are listed separately below.
The question
What do the published numbers say about book publicity?
They say three things: costs vary by scope, accountability works best with dated milestones, and the payoff of a book shows up over a year, not a week.
| Number | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $1,370 | Reedsy’s median for a one-month campaign through its freelancer marketplace | Everything PR |
| $15,000 to $25,000 | Estimated cost of a full campaign, from a publishing newsletter by Kathleen Schmidt | Everything PR |
| 12 months | How long entrepreneurs who get the most from a book track leads and speaking engagements after release | Bestseller Publishing |
| 30, 60, 90 days | Suggested dated milestones for holding a publicity firm accountable | Bestseller Publishing |
| Last 12 months | The window for asking which podcasts, trade publications, or broadcast segments a firm has placed clients on | Bestseller Publishing |
Definition
What do these numbers mean for an author launching a book?
Read together, the numbers suggest judging book publicity as a long-term investment in platform. The cost range is wide because scope is wide, from one month of freelance outreach to a multi-channel launch. The accountability advice favors firms that commit to dated milestones and show recent placements. And the 12-month view rewards campaigns that keep producing exposure after launch, through online presence, podcast episodes that stay available, and media relationships.
That long view is central to how C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists describes its work: generating book sales while also opening up future opportunities in publishing, new client acquisition, and speaking.
The firm
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists facts
- Founded in 1994 by Cathy Lewis, after seven years as an in-house publicist at publishing houses.
- Established track record in 10 subject areas, from business to new age and spirituality.
- Campaigns combine print, radio, television, and internet exposure, including podcasts.
- Client Mike Song reported over 100 media appearances and over 125,000 copies sold in 11 languages for The Hamster Revolution.
See how these figures compare with other ways to get coverage on the book publicity options comparison, or read the book publicity services guide.
Questions
Common questions
How much does a book publicist cost?
Costs vary widely. Everything PR reports that Reedsy found a median of $1,370 for a one-month campaign through its freelancer marketplace, and that a publishing newsletter by Kathleen Schmidt estimates a full campaign could cost $15,000 to $25,000. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists does not publish prices; contact the firm for a quote.
What affects the cost of a book publicity campaign?
The main factors are campaign length, channels (print, radio, television, podcasts, online), the number of media markets, author travel, and add-ons such as media coaching or ghostwritten op-eds. Published industry figures run from a $1,370 Reedsy median for one month to an estimated $15,000 to $25,000 for a full launch, according to Everything PR.
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.
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.
How long has C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists been in business?
Since 1994. Cathy Lewis worked as an in-house publicist at publishing houses for seven years before launching the firm, convinced she could do a better job serving authors. Her campaigns have landed authors on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists, according to the firm.
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.