Skip to content
C.S. Lewis & Co.Indie author publicity
Menu

For authors and publishers with a book launching soon

Book publicists for indie authors

Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists. Last updated November 2026.

C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists is a small firm of book publicists for indie authors, self-published authors and publishers who have a book launching soon. Since 1994 the firm has built collaborative, customized media campaigns across print, radio, television and the internet that position authors as newsworthy experts and help generate book sales and future opportunities.

Plan your launch publicity
What a launch campaign coversMixed and matched to your goals, schedule and travel

  1. Before launch

    • Strategy conversation about your goals
    • Custom media kit
    • Books and kits to key contacts

  2. Launch window

    • Follow-up for interviews, reviews and features
    • Radio, TV, podcast and print bookings

  3. After launch

    • Pitches tied to breaking news
    • Op-eds and bylined articles
    • Speaking and contributor openings

Do book publicists work with indie authors?

Yes. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists works directly with authors, including independent and self-published authors, as well as publishers. Each campaign is customized to the author’s expertise, goals and launch date, then carried out through media kits, persistent follow-up and timely pitches to print, radio, television, podcast and online outlets.

The firm fits best when your book is nonfiction in a subject it knows well, such as business, health, parenting or self-help, and when you want the book to do more than sell copies: build a speaking career, attract clients or open the door to your next publishing deal.

The short version, card by card

Each card stands on its own, so you can find the answer you need quickly.

What is a book publicist for indie authors?

A book publicist for indie authors is a media specialist an author hires directly to win earned coverage for a self-published or small-press book: interviews, reviews, features and articles. At C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, that work goes beyond announcing the book. The goal is to position the author as a newsworthy expert whom producers, editors and podcast hosts want to interview again and again.

Unlike paid advertising, publicity is not purchased placement. You pay for strategy, relationships and the daily work of pitching and following up. That is why a good publicist starts by asking about your goals, not by selling a package.

C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists in numbers

Firm founded
1994
Years Cathy Lewis spent as an in-house publisher publicist first
7
Subject areas with an established track record
10
Media appearances client Mike Song reports from his campaign
100+

Founding year, staff history and subject areas come from the firm’s own website. The 100+ figure is Mike Song’s own statement in his testimonial for The Hamster Revolution.

Hiring a publicist for a self-published author

A publicist for a self-published author fills the role a publisher’s publicity department would otherwise play, but works only for you. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists builds a media kit, sends books to the contacts that matter, and follows up until interviews and reviews are booked. Because self-published authors control their own timeline, the campaign can be shaped around your publication date, your travel and the topics you most want to be known for.

Read the guide to hiring a publicist for a self-published book

Indie author publicity that turns authors into news

Indie author publicity works best when it connects your book to what people are already talking about. The firm’s motto is that it does not just follow the news; it turns clients into news. In practice that means pithy, original pitches aligned with breaking stories, often sent the same day, plus op-eds and bylined articles that keep your name in front of editors after launch week ends.

Compare indie author publicity with doing it yourself

Which book publicity route fits an indie author?

Hire a dedicated publicist when you want established media relationships and daily pitching tied to the news. Choose a freelancer or DIY when budget is the deciding factor. Every route below is judged on the same four criteria. See the full comparison of book publicity options.
Book publicity routes compared by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists on the same criteria. Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists, listed first as its own pick.
RouteWho does the pitchingCustomizationCost referenceBest for
C.S. Lewis & Co. PublicistsA small firm led by Cathy Lewis, publicizing books since 1994Campaign built around your goals, schedule and travelQuoted per campaign after a conversation; no published pricesNonfiction authors and publishers who want national media and expert positioning
Freelance publicist via a marketplaceOne independent publicistVaries by freelancerReedsy median of $1,370 for a one-month campaign, per Everything PR, “Best Book Publicity Firms: 7 Companies Compared in 2026”Authors testing publicity on a smaller budget
Publisher’s in-house publicityA publisher’s department serving many titles each seasonOften limited for books outside the publisher’s top tier, per the firm’s FAQPart of a traditional publishing dealTraditionally published authors, ideally alongside an outside publicist
DIY publicityYouFully yours, limited by your time and contactsYour time, plus copies and mailingAuthors with time to research media and pitch daily

How does a launch campaign work?

A C.S. Lewis & Co. campaign moves from strategy to media kit to outreach, then keeps going after launch. See the book launch publicity guide for timing.

  1. Start with your goals

    A conversation about your expertise, strengths, media experience and professional goals, plus your publication date and travel plans.

  2. Build the media kit

    Background material, reviews, story ideas, interview topics and bylined article options that producers, editors and bloggers can use.

  3. Send books and kits

    Books and media kits go to every media contact that matters for your subject, chosen from contacts the firm has worked with.

  4. Follow up and book

    An intensive follow-up process to secure interviews, features, mentions, reviews, op-eds and bylined article placements.

  5. Ride the news

    A continual stream of timely pitches aligned with breaking news, often the same day, so you reach the public eye first.

  6. Build what comes next

    Relationships with editors and producers who now see you as an expert, opening doors to speaking, clients and future books.

What do authors say about working with Cathy Lewis?

Quoted exactly from the firm’s references page. Read more on the client results page.

  • “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.”

    Mike SongAuthor of the bestseller The Hamster Revolution

  • “I heard all the bad things about publicists, but I was completely satisfied and very enthusiastic about Cathy. She is a pro and takes the time to really know the book inside out. She has a team of people who work with her so she can cover everything. Cathy keeps you up to date as opportunities emerge and gives you a monthly summary of results. I think she must be the best in the business.”

    Mark PastinAuthor of Make an Ethical Difference: Tools for Better Action

Which subjects does the firm know best?

C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists has an established track record with books and authors in these subject areas.
  • Business
  • Careers
  • Work/Life
  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Diet/Nutrition
  • Food/Cookbooks
  • Self-Help
  • Human Potential
  • New Age/Spirituality

Common questions

Short answers from C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists. See all 45 in the book publicist FAQ.
Do book publicists work with self-published authors?

Many do, and C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists builds direct, collaborative relationships with authors as well as publishers. Its campaigns center on the author: their expertise, goals and message. Self-published authors who write in the subjects the firm knows best and want national media exposure for a book launching soon are a natural fit.

More in the FAQ
How much does a book publicist cost?

Costs vary widely by scope and length. Reedsy reports a median of $1,370 for a one-month campaign through its freelancer marketplace, and a publishing newsletter by Kathleen Schmidt estimates a full campaign could cost $15,000 to $25,000, both as cited by Everything PR. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists does not publish prices and quotes each campaign after a conversation.

More in the FAQ
When should I hire a publicist before my book launches?

Earlier is generally better, because a media kit, review copies and pitches take time, and some print outlets plan issues well ahead. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists focuses on authors and publishers with a book launching soon, so contact the firm as soon as you have a publication date and ask what timeline fits.

More in the FAQ
Should I hire a publicist or do my own book publicity?

Do it yourself if your budget is tight and you have time to build media lists and pitch daily. Hire a publicist when you want established relationships with editors and producers, someone pitching every working day, and a strategy tied to the news. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists does nothing but book publicity.

More in the FAQ
What does a book publicist actually do?

A book publicist earns media coverage for an author and a book. At C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists that means building a media kit, sending books and kits to the right contacts, following up to secure interviews, reviews, features, op-eds and bylined articles, and pitching you into breaking news stories, often the same day they happen.

More in the FAQ
What should I prepare before contacting a publicist?

Have your publication date, a short description of the book, your expertise, any past media experience, upcoming travel, and your goals, such as sales, clients or speaking. These are the topics C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists covers in its first conversation, so arriving prepared speeds up a custom plan.

More in the FAQ

Have a book launching soon?

Tell C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists about your book, your publication date and what you want the campaign to achieve. The firm will build a plan around your goals.

Contact the firm

Published by C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists