You don’t need a book publicist if you’re ready to learn the tricks and work tirelessly to promote your book. If you can afford one, however, a competent publicist can jump-start your publicity campaign.

I thought I knew all the tricks about how to generate news coverage on a shoestring budget until someone told me about the best free media contacts tool.

Local radio station airing a half-hour interview with you? Getting a two-page spread in a national magazine? The challenge is to turn one media publicity “hit” into multiple hits. Recycling publicity is like rolling a snowball downhill and watching it get bigger and bigger.

A reporter from your local newspaper heard about your new book and wants to meet you for lunch. You accept the invitation and have only three days to prepare. What do you do?