From a writer's side - thank you for highlighting your personal anxiety struggles! Your vulnerability in sharing this helps me to be super mindful in how I show up in this process. As I don't have a publicist yet, I've DEFINITELY booked marked this!
As someone on the traditional media side of things, I don’t think most authors understand how incredibly difficult it is to get us to cover something. Coverage will almost never arrive from a cold pitch. It’s all about the publicist cultivating relationships and leveraging that at the right opportunity for the particular outlet. A publicist who knows that and navigates it well is worth their weight in gold. Any publicist who promises the world in terms of coverage is someone to run from.
Most of them don't understand. There is an enormous lack of author education from publishers. It's also important for authors to understand the media landscape. I am blunt about it with potential clients/clients. It serves no one if you give them false hope.
11. With media, there are no guarantees: you don’t know exactly what that story will be like until it pops. But a savvy publicist will have a good sense of it by staying in touch w the editor/writer/producer.
Fellow publicist in the trenches here. If I could reach through my email and give you a HIGH FIVE, a hug, and a big-smacky-kiss for this article, I would. Virtual love from afar will have to do instead.
So relieved to hear your dog is well and that you were able to get answers and treatment so quickly. It’s terrifying when they’re suddenly ill. And I appreciate this list and I’m glad you take time away from work. Not a single person actually produces better work by only working (diminishing outcomes and all)!
Despite my PR practice today being predominately b2b for public companies, I relate to all your pointers. The importance of clients being kind and respectful is so important. I think your Substack, which takes people behind the scenes on ‘how the sausage is made’ goes a long way in building a bridge of understanding.
I don't know you. I will probably never have a book successful enough (or enough money) to hire you. But I want to give you a giant, not creepy - I promise, random stranger hug. I'm a bit longer in the tooth and I am still just as sensitive and insecure. Here's to surviving anxiety attacks and getting on with it day by day.
Very well put
Thanks, that was very helpful.
From a writer's side - thank you for highlighting your personal anxiety struggles! Your vulnerability in sharing this helps me to be super mindful in how I show up in this process. As I don't have a publicist yet, I've DEFINITELY booked marked this!
As someone on the traditional media side of things, I don’t think most authors understand how incredibly difficult it is to get us to cover something. Coverage will almost never arrive from a cold pitch. It’s all about the publicist cultivating relationships and leveraging that at the right opportunity for the particular outlet. A publicist who knows that and navigates it well is worth their weight in gold. Any publicist who promises the world in terms of coverage is someone to run from.
Most of them don't understand. There is an enormous lack of author education from publishers. It's also important for authors to understand the media landscape. I am blunt about it with potential clients/clients. It serves no one if you give them false hope.
This is fascinating, thank you for the insider perspective!
Dipped in and out of book PR / worked elsewhere in PR and been PRd 🙌🏽⚡️ and spot on.
11. With media, there are no guarantees: you don’t know exactly what that story will be like until it pops. But a savvy publicist will have a good sense of it by staying in touch w the editor/writer/producer.
Fantastic post!
You echo my anxiety in dealing with a slow process and less than reasonable fast expectations. Your author education is useful! Thanks.
This is great. I'm sharing this with my author community!
Fellow publicist in the trenches here. If I could reach through my email and give you a HIGH FIVE, a hug, and a big-smacky-kiss for this article, I would. Virtual love from afar will have to do instead.
Right back at you.
Brilliant! I am such a fan!
So relieved to hear your dog is well and that you were able to get answers and treatment so quickly. It’s terrifying when they’re suddenly ill. And I appreciate this list and I’m glad you take time away from work. Not a single person actually produces better work by only working (diminishing outcomes and all)!
Despite my PR practice today being predominately b2b for public companies, I relate to all your pointers. The importance of clients being kind and respectful is so important. I think your Substack, which takes people behind the scenes on ‘how the sausage is made’ goes a long way in building a bridge of understanding.
I truly hope so.
Thank you for this! I've saved this post (I have a book coming out next year).
I don't know you. I will probably never have a book successful enough (or enough money) to hire you. But I want to give you a giant, not creepy - I promise, random stranger hug. I'm a bit longer in the tooth and I am still just as sensitive and insecure. Here's to surviving anxiety attacks and getting on with it day by day.
Thank you.