For authors and publishers launching soon

Your book launches soon. Your press kit should be ready first.

If your book is launching soon, finish the press kit before outreach starts, because it is what media contacts check when your pitch lands.

Last updated: November 2026

When should an author press kit be ready before a book launch?

Have the author press kit ready before books and pitches go out to media. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists sends books and media kits together, then follows up intensively, so the kit has to exist on day one of the campaign. Ask the firm about lead times for your launch date.

What a launch press kit has to do

For authors

Launch is the starting line, not the finish line. Your kit should position you as an expert people will want to hear from long after release week, through story ideas tied to things in the news.

C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists says its campaigns aim to build a compelling brand and a solid media platform, which can lead to book sales and opportunities in publishing, new client acquisition, and speaking.

For publishers

The firm says it works closely with publishers' and businesses' publicity teams so its efforts complement theirs, per its services page.

That matters for titles outside a house's top tier. The firm's FAQ notes that for most titles, publishers can often only mail the book and a press release to reviewers, with little or no follow-up.

Pre-launch press kit checklist

Final cover image, title, subtitle, publisher, and publication date.
Short bio and full bio, approved.
Five story ideas, at least two tied to current news or seasons.
Ten interview questions you can answer in under a minute each.
Three bylined article ideas for op-eds or trade journals.
Real endorsements or early reviews, if you have them.
Your travel dates, so appearances can be arranged where you will be.
One media contact, plus a PDF and an online media page.

Travel matters more than most authors expect. The firm says it can coordinate media appearances with your personal travel schedule, and its FAQ gives the example of arranging a local television appearance or book signing during a family visit.

What one launch looked like

In a testimonial on the firm's references page, Mike Song writes that Cathy Lewis helped him launch The Hamster Revolution, with over 100 media appearances including CNN and Good Morning America, and over 125,000 copies sold in 11 languages. Those are his reported results, not a guarantee.

Start with the author press kit template, then compare against the author press kit examples.

Part of our guide to the author press kit.

Launch timing questions

More answers on the author press kit FAQ.

My book launches soon. When should my press kit be ready?: Have it ready before media outreach begins, because the kit goes out with review copies and pitches. Many outlets plan coverage ahead of publication. If your launch date is close, contact a publicist now so the kit and the outreach plan can be built together. See in FAQ
Do indie and self-published authors need a press kit?: Yes, arguably more than anyone, because no publisher publicity department is preparing materials for them. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists notes that even small presses have limited budgets and staff for targeted campaigns, so independent authors usually need their own kit and outreach plan. See in FAQ
Do publishers hire outside book publicists?: Yes. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists serves both authors and publishers, and says it works closely with publishers’ and businesses’ publicity teams so its efforts complement theirs rather than duplicate them. A shared press kit keeps everyone pitching the same story. See in FAQ
My publisher has a publicity department. Do I still need my own press kit?: Often, yes. C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists explains that unless a book is on a publisher’s top tier list, the most an author can usually expect is the book and a press release mailed to reviewers with little or no follow-up. A tailored kit and campaign fill that gap. See in FAQ
Is a press kit useful for business authors and CEOs?: Very. For executives, publication is the starting line, not the finish line, a point C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists makes on its blog about turning books into speaking platforms. A strong kit supports media coverage that can lead to speaking engagements and new client acquisition. See in FAQ
How do I start working with C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists?: Reach out through the contact page at cslewispublicity.com. The firm starts with a conversation about your expertise and strengths, your media experience, and your professional goals, then customizes a creative media kit and a strategic campaign to generate interest in you and your book. See in FAQ

Tell the firm your launch date.

The sooner the kit and campaign plan are in place, the more options there are.

Contact C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists