Hiring a Publicist: What You Should Know Before Contacting a Book Publicist by Jessica Florez Freelance Writer for Spotlight Publicity You wouldn't look for a publisher without first coming up with a book idea or concept. So, why is it important to secure a publisher before contacting a book publicist? There are several reasons why, but the most important reason is that a book publicist won't have enough information to pull together a successful book marketing proposal without the following: Publisher: Who's your publisher? What's their publishing timeline? Book Bio: These details seem small, but are significant with any book marketing service. Publication Date Copy-Editor's Name Genre Price Length Hard Cover and/or Paperback Cover Concept Your publisher should be able to provide this information to you. Events: Knowing what publicity your book has or has yet to receive will prevent us from overlapping your efforts. Has your book already received some publicity from the media? Have you begun arranging local booksignings in your area? Competition: The key to successful book marketing is being one step ahead of your competitors. What books does yours compete with? What makes your book stand out from other books in the same genre? Remember, book marketing is essential within the first six months from your book's publication date. Don't wait! You're already one step closer to securing a book publicist.