You're Not Marketing Alone: Meet Your Publicity Team
If you've been following our blog series, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by now. We've been sharing everything authors need to do to market their books.
It's a lot, and we get it. Marketing can feel isolating when you're trying to juggle writing, promotion, and everything else life throws at you. But here's the good news: you're not doing this alone.
At Arcadia, every single book and author is paired with an expert publicist from our in-house team. These aren't general marketers – they're specialists who have the tools to help your book's success.
Getting to Know Your Publicity Team
Our publicists work regionally, which means your publicist truly understands your local market. They know which newspapers cover book releases, which bookstores host the best events, and which radio stations love interviewing local authors. [You can read about each publicist here.] (And if you've written a children's book, keep an eye out – Megan will be reaching out to you directly!)
When Does the Magic Begin?
Your publicist loosely follows a strategic nine-week timeline, reaching out to you about nine weeks before your publication date. This isn't arbitrary – it's the sweet spot that gives them enough time to secure those all-important book signings and media interviews that can make or break a book launch. The timeline is not written in stone and you might see some timeline variations.
Our publicists are already looking ahead, identifying media outlets and event venues that need longer lead times. If you know of a specific venue or outlet you'd love to work with, just mention it in your marketing spreadsheet or tell your title manager – they'll make sure your publicist gets that information.
Here's the reality: Arcadia publishes 5-15 books every single week. Our publicists are simultaneously working on books about to launch, books that just published, and books that are still building momentum months later. It's a carefully orchestrated process, which is why we ask for patience with special requests that might disrupt the proven system.
What Your Publicist Actually Does
Think of your publicist as your local marketing detective and relationship builder. They take information from your marketing questionnaire and proposal, combine it with their deep knowledge of your area, and get to work trying to schedule book signings and book talks at the venues most likely to reach your readers.
For media outreach, they use both your insider knowledge and our comprehensive media database to create targeted lists of potential reviewers. The process is thorough: they send initial email blasts, follow up with review copies (both requested and strategically sent), and then personally follow up weeks later to try to secure interviews and coverage. This, unfortunately is not a guaranteed process, and while we would love to see all of our books get tons of coverage, it's not something we can guarantee. Because our books are incredibly localized we work primarily with local media. National media outlets like GMA or The Today Show usually don't pick up these local stories.
Here's where you come in: If you have personal relationships with media outlets or bookstores, definitely let your publicist know and then feel free to reach out to them on your own. A recommendation from you as a friend or community member carries far more weight than even the most polished pitch from a publicist. But here's the key – don't send out your own review copies. That's what we're here for! Save your personal book stock and let us handle getting books into reviewers' hands.
Your publicist can also provide promotional materials to support your efforts. [You can learn more about what's available in this blog post.]
What Your Publicist Doesn't Handle
Let's be clear about boundaries so you know what to expect. Your publicist focuses on publicity and media relations, not direct sales – we have dedicated sales teams for that important work, and we'll introduce you to them in an upcoming post.
Your publicist also won't manage your social media accounts or set up your Amazon author page. These platforms are deeply personal and reflect your unique voice and personality. Only you (or someone who knows you incredibly well) should be posting as you on social media.
And while our publicists would love to attend every single event with you across the country, they'll be cheering you on from headquarters while working on securing your next great opportunity.
The Bottom Line
Marketing your book is a team effort, and your Arcadia publicist is your dedicated teammate who knows your region, understands your market, and is committed to getting your book the attention it deserves. You're not shouting into the void – you've got a professional advocate working behind the scenes to amplify your voice and connect your book with the readers who are waiting to discover it.
So take a deep breath. While you focus on what you do best – writing and connecting with readers – your publicist is working the phones, building relationships, and opening doors. You're not alone in this journey, and together, we're going to get your book into the hands of people who will love it.