So, you’ve written a book and want to get it out to as many people as you can.
There are many media channels that can provide you with a platform to promote yourself and you book.
Some of these include book launch events, interviews on radio, television and the internet, and talks at book conventions, not to mention the world of paid marketing with examples including advertising, both in print and online.
There’s only so much you can do yourself, and if you have limited contacts in the publishing industry, publicity and marketing can take even longer.
If you’re self-publishing and have the budget to do so, you may be considering to partner an independent book publicist.
Even if you’re being published through a traditional publisher who will handle publicity for you, you may want to carry out additional public relations activities to really get your title(s) into the market place.
If you’re an author based in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland looking for publicity support, or a writer outside of the UK wanting to expand your reach beyond your home nation, take a look at the following 19 top Book Publicists in the UK.
1. Ruth Killick Publicity
An established publicist with two decades of experience, Ruth Killick has worked with major publishing houses and prolific authors in her career. Currently she handles publicity and PR for Atlantic, Bloomsbury and Sandstone Press. Based in Monmouthshire, Ruth has different options for different authors in need of her services. Providing 4 kinds of publicity packages- the full and unabridged, the concise, the serial or the headliner; which one you would need would be dependent on the type of publicity you require and for what duration. Individual authors or publishers can contact Ruth for her expertise. You can contact her via email and even request for free publicity tips.
2. Cameron Publicity & Marketing
Ben Cameron started Cameron Publicity & Marketing in 2006. A writer, speaker and educator, Ben provides promotion, publishing and sales services to authors, self-published authors and publishers. A regular contributor to The Huffington Post and the Writing Magazine. Ben also teaches promotion to students and holds workshops. He has the ability to figure the unique target audience of each author and reach them effectively. Specific publicity campaigns for different genres such as creative, children’s books, business, social media services, marketing and ebook marketing are some of the options available if you hire Cameron Publicity & Marketing. Located in London, you can reach out to them via email or fill this form.
3. The Book Publicist
A unique publicity agency, The Book Publicist tries to stand out among the other agencies by going above and beyond for the individual author and publisher. Having won awards, they focus on business, non-fiction and management books. Ella Gascoigne, the founder of The Book Publicist started the agency and began working on promoting the book and the author since the credibility of the author can play a huge role in the success of a book. Contact them by writing an e-mail to this Hay-On-Wye based agency.
4. Karen Bultiauw
A freelance book publicist, Karen’s love of books convinced her to help promote, publicize and guide authors in reaching their target audience. She wants to work with authors who are looking to create an impression in the audience. Promotion, marketing, social media services are offered for authors, self-published authors and publishers. While she works on all genres, she prefers young adult. Write to Karen for help and support on your book promotion and publicity.
5. Louise Rhind-Tutt Publicity
An award- winning freelance book publicist, Louise Rhind-Tutt has worked with bestselling authors, established publishing houses and publishers. Her client list includes impressive names like Random House, Pan Macmillan, National Geographic Books and Long Barn Books. Freelancing since 2010, Louise can create traditional and digital publicity campaigns for your book. Sports, nature, cookbook and non-fiction are some of the genres she has worked on. Fill this form to reach out to Louise.
6. PR for Books
Formed in 2005, the PR for Books is the publicity division of PR for Less. Perfect for authors who are just starting out or self-published authors who have a budget and want to work promotional activities within that budget. They have a solid database; cover all regional, local, national and international media, ensuring your book reaches the global audiences. Providing bespoke and customized publicity campaigns for each book, PR for Books offers an all inclusive 195 pound package for authors, individuals and publishers. Fill out this enquiry form and they will get back to you.
7. D’Image
A publicist that knows you can’t just rely on book reviews for your book to become a bestseller, D’Image specializes in media relations and uses their contacts to engage media and create positive press for the author and the book. Authors get a first free consultation and constant personal guidance for their book and story to make its way to the newspapers, radio, television stations and all relevant media. Located in Buckinghamshire, you can write to them via email.
8. Literally Public Relations
Helen Lewis launched Literally Public Relations in Kent in 2012 to lend publicity services for books, food and drinks. Knowing that every author will require varied services and styles of promotion, they offer packages, whether it is brainstorming on an hourly basis to create the best promotional campaign or social media support, marketing and consultancy in a bespoke package. Packages start at 350 pounds and you can request detailed information by emailing them.
9. ed public relations
Started in 2010 by Emma Draude, this London based agency has won awards for its work. With 25 years of publicity experience behind her, Emma has worked with bestselling authors such as Nadiya Hussain, Jane Green and Lisa Jewell. Fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, autobiographies, health and lifestyle are some of the genres the agency has worked on previously. Committed to building the book’s interest on a positive note and using media to garner audience appreciation, ed public relations is an ideal choice for authors or publishers wanting customized and personalized services and attention to their work and project. Contact Emma by emailing her regarding services.
10. Liz Scott PR & Marketing
Liz Scott has 12 years of publicity and marketing experience. Based in Manchester since 2009, she works exclusively on children’s books. Whether it is just supporting authors in marketing their children’s book or consulting with authors and publishers, Liz is a dedicated PR agent and can work with authors on a budget. Co-ordinating events, managing social media and publicity, Liz does it all. She can consult with authors for certain days a month or work on a project for a fixed duration of time. Email Liz to know more details.
11. Georgia Lawe PR
Nine years of publicity experience has enabled Georgia to understand the publishing industry intricately and use that knowledge to promote books and authors. Traditional marketing campaigns include creating an interest in the book and author before publication, positive reviews post release, tours, events, media coverage, digital marketing and handling social media. She has worked with children’s publishers like Random House, Egmont and Scholastic. Authors, individuals, publishers or publishing houses can hire Georgia to work on a campaign basis where she will promote it from pre-release to reviews and coverage, project basis or on a consultancy session basis. Email Georgia to learn more about services and rates.
12. Emma Finnigan PR
Situated in London, Emma Finnigan started Emma Finigan PR and has 17 years of marketing and publicity experience to strategize and customize publicity campaigns for books. Her clients include bestselling authors such as Harper Lee, Harlan Coben, Sara Taylor, Paul Harding, Kathy Reichs and Tony Fletcher. Authors may not need the same level of assistance or publicity so there are different options such as a complete PR campaign that can last 6 months, a project that is for a fixed time period or certain days during a month. Securing appearances for authors, getting them to attend festivals or events, helping authors to debut, building an author’s brand and establishing media coverage for the book are some of the things Emma can help you with. Fiction, non-fiction, business, management, history, politics and popular culture are some of the genres she has previously worked on. Fill this form to contact Emma for hiring her services.
13. Midas PR
A reputed publicity agency, Midas PR has made its mark publicizing books and authors. Based in London, Midas PR has worked with famous authors, publishers and publishing houses over the years. Events, workshops, seminars, festivals and reviews are all handled effectively by a professional and dedicated team of publicists and marketers. They have worked on genres such as crime, mystery, non-fiction, politics, social issues and thrillers. Authors like CJ Daugherty, Mark Edwards and Peter May have worked with Midas previously. If you want global coverage, personalized media attention and a strong media database, email Midas for service details and rates.
14. Kew Publicity
Founded by Jane Beaton in 2009, Kew Publicity is a good choice for self-published authors, individual authors and publishers. Clients include successful names like Allen & Unwin, Simon & Schuster, Bloomsbury and Rizzoli. Her experience as a former head of publicity of HarperCollins comes handy when authors from different backgrounds and levels approach her. She has worked in genres such as fiction, memoirs, sports, motivation, cookbooks and non-fiction. While she is eager to work with new authors, her former authors have been popular names like David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay, Stephen Fry and a posthumous book by JRR Tolkien. Contact Jane by emailing her details about your books.
15. Riot Communications
This boutique PR agency in London has consistently created successful marketing and publicity campaigns for books, authors, publishers and publishing houses. Collaborating with writers to creatively campaign, promote and publicize, they have a compact team of publicists and marketers who have worked in various genres. Choosing to focus on quality instead of quantity, they pick specific projects, authors and publishers and lend their skills to arrange appearances, promote the book on different platforms, build a brand that is strongly visible and generate interest in the book. Using innovative ways and means to promote a book and author, they have worked with bestselling authors and publishers of repute. History, sports, fiction and non-fiction are few genres Riot has worked in. Write to them to receive details about services.
16. FMcM Associates
Fiona McMorrough established FMcM Associates in 1998 and slowly became one of the most respectable and successful communications consultancies in UK. A full service agency that works with brands across various genres and styles, they are based in London. Fiona has been on many boards, won awards such as The Bookseller’s Award in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and has 25 years of experience promoting authors, books and publishers. Now along with a team of experienced professionals, Fiona can help promote and publicize your book. Creating videos, photos, designs, attending launches, events, seminars, maintaining profiles and support, forming a digital strategy are some of the services they offer. Authors of fiction and non-fiction can contact them via email.
17. Palamedes PR
Picking a publicist for your book is often a complicated task as most authors either want to do it themselves or let the publisher figure it out. But in today’s world when marketing and promotion are the crucial factors that can help a book succeed, you need an agency like Palamedes PR that can give a practical and collaborative approach to publicity, promotion and marketing. Guaranteeing appearances, promotions and interviews in UK and other countries for local and international authors, they can run a campaign and promise results within 14 days. Fiction, non-fiction and ebooks are the genres they promote and market. You can avail a free consultation when you contact them and they have tailored different packages for newspapers, radio, television or a custom PR package. Fill this contact form to request a free consultation and learn more about their rates.
18. Read Media
Kate Read formed Read Media in 2007 to offer tailor made promotional, publicity and marketing services to clients, authors, publishers and self-published authors. Using traditional and digital media to build a brand, promote a book, provide publicity support and enhance the profile of an author. A boutique agency that connects with authors to understand the story and the book in a deeper sense and use it find the right audience and target them with promotional activities, campaigns and strategies. They offer a short term or ongoing publicity program according to your needs and requirements. Email Kate or fill this form to contact the London based agency.
19. Taylor Herring
Calling themselves an independent communications agency, Taylor Herring offers full range of publicity, branding and marketing solutions. Located in London, they respect the role public relations play in advertising and branding a book and author. While the author is the creator, it can benefit to establish a strong identity for the book on its own and also promote the author in a positive manner. Challenging notions of traditional publicity devices, they have run campaigns using disruptive tools and ideas. They work with businesses, brands, media, lifestyle and celebrities but book publicity is one of their core specialties. Publicity, support, brand management, social media and marketing are some of the services you can avail should you choose to hire them. Winning innumerable awards for their campaigns and PR strategy, they have also won the PR Agency of the year because of their committed work ethos. You can hire them on a consultancy basis or an ongoing basis as per your budget and project requirement. Email them to find out about services and rates.
Are you a freelance book publicist in the UK? Or do you run a book publicity agency? Please tell us about your services in the comments box below.
Shikha Pandey is a creative, content and script writer based in Mumbai, India.