Expert Book Publicity & Marketing

I help writers find readers.

For more than twenty years, I’ve focused on finding the best ways for authors to connect with and grow their audiences. It is work I am grateful for every day.

Because every day I get to read something new, something moving, something engrossing, something surprising. I get to talk to the most talented thinkers, artists and communicators, understand their perspectives and help them express their ideas to audiences who are eager to hear from them.

While I have worked at Simon & Schuster, Hyperion, and Melville House with positions in subsidiary rights, special sales, and editorial —my passion is for publicity & marketing because of the satisfaction I get helping authors create relationships with readers —and helping readers find new books to expand their worlds.

I work on a variety of projects including individual book publicity and marketing, publisher retainers (short- and long-term), literary festival promotion, awards campaigns, and more.

I’m always happy to talk about how we might work together. Reach me at becky@cursivecomms.com.

—Becky Kraemer

Recent Projects

BOOKSHOP.ORG Launch

January – June 2020

Wired
Forbes
Marketplace
Inc.
Entrepreneur
FT
LinkedIn
The New York Times
New York Post
Reset podcast
Bloomberg Out of Office podcast
ReWork podcast
StartUp Nation podcast 
The Atlantic
CNBC
OneZero
Airmail
CO — US Chamber of Commerce
New Republic
Fast Company
Quartzy
InsideHook
WNYC All of It

 

 

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LyricPop Series Launch

Akashic Books, June – October 2020

Paste
Romper
Ultimate Classic Rock
ABC News Radio
Radio.com
Adam Carrolla podcast
Largehearted Boy
I Love Classic Rock
Storytime with Ryan & Craig
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
GeekMom
IllustrationDept podcast
Literary Hub
BookRiot
Blabbermouth
MomReadIt
IHeartRadio – 80s Martha Quinn
Beasley Media Group Stations
MathisEverywhere
NYCTechMommy
Vermont Country Sampler
CounterPunch
KidLit411

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TEN DAYS IN HARLEM
by Simon Hall (September 2020)

 

Politics & Prose Virtual Event
Smithsonian Magazine
New Books Network podcast
Americas Quarterly
New York Journal of Books
Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Publishers Weekly

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CHRISTMAS IN AUSTIN

by Benjamin Markovits (November 2019)

The New Yorker
The New York Times Book Review
NPR Books
Tablet Magazine
CBS “We Are Austin” (TV)
Spectrum News Austin (TV)
Texas Standard (Radio)
Texas Monthly
Austin Chronicle (review & gift list)
Austin Chronicle (interview)
Lonestar Literary
Shelf Awareness
Literary Hub
Library Journal
Foreword Reviews
Kirkus Reviews

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A HUMAN ALGORITHM: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are

by Flynn Coleman (October 2019)

(TWiT) This Week in Tech
TNW – TheNextWeb
The Boston Globe Ideas
The San Francisco Chronicle
Afternoon Live (TV)
AM Northwest (TV)
New Day Northwest (TV)
Nautilus
Seattle 24×7
ThriveGlobal
The Thirlby
Literary Hub
Shelf Awareness
RoboPsych Podcast
Between Two Worlds Podcast
This Time Tomorrow Podcast
Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Library Journal

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THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF FREEDOM

by Billy Bragg (September 2019)

NPR 1A
WNYC All of It With Allison Stewart
DemocracyNow!
World Literature Today
The AV Club (mention)

Events at
Politics & Prose
Free Library of Philadelphia
Greenlight Books/Brooklyn Public Library
Harvard Bookstore/Cambridge Public Library

INDECENT ADVANCES: A Hidden History of True Crime and Prejudice Before Stonewall

by James Polchin (June 2019)

The New Yorker
The Paris Review
Slate
Rolling Stone
The New Republic
Time
Advocate
Vox
American Scholar “Smarty Pants”
Los Angeles Review of Books
San Francisco Chronicle
New York Daily News
Chicago Reader
Austin Chronicle
Washington Blade
MetroWeekly
South Florida Gay News
PBS Names it 1 of 5 Essential Culture Reads for July
LogoTV’s New Now Next
Oxygen Crime Time
Electric Literature
Vox
Lambda Literary
NPR Here & Now
CrimeReads #1
CrimeReads #2
CrimeReads #3
Starred Library Journal review

THIS SEARING LIGHT, THE SUN, AND EVERYTHING ELSE: Joy Division: An Oral History

by Jon Savage (April 2019)

Pitchfork (One of Best Music Books of Year)
Rolling Stone
The Atlantic
The New York Times Book Review
The Los Angeles Times (Best Book of April)
The Los Angeles Times (review by Henry Rollins)
BoingBoing
PopMatters
BrooklynRail
CoolHunting
StyleZeitgeist
Louder Than War
LitHub
MPR The Current’s Rock ‘n Roll Bookclub
Starred Kirkus Review
Red Bull Academy – Peak Time
SiriusXM – Feedback

Testimonials

“It has been brilliant to work with Becky on publicising Ten Days in Harlem: Fidel Castro and the Making of the 1960s. She has brought a real energy and enthusiasm to the project, as well as determination and a sharp professional focus during what was, given the COVID-19 pandemic, a particularly challenging time for the wider publishing industry.”

Simon Hall, author of Ten Days in Harlem: Fidel Castro and the Making of the 1960s

“Becky is one of the best publicists I’ve ever worked with. In the first place, she’s a very smart and knowledgeable reader, and a pleasure to talk books with. She also knows the business inside out and is tireless and inventive in thinking of ways to promote your work. Then there are the little things that make the whole process of publication more fun and less stressful: her tact and kindness, her instant response to questions or requests, her willingness to go the extra mile. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Benjamin Markovits, author of Christmas in Austin and A Weekend in New York

“It was really a pleasure to work with Becky on the launch of This Searing Light… in the US. She got great review coverage and interviews in national outlets like the LA Times, NY Times, The Atlantic, and more. She put the book into the hands of the right people and helped make the book a success. She was also fun to deal with because this part of the process should be fun, right? Hope to work with her again.”

Jon Savage, author of This Searing Light, The Sun, and Everything Else: Joy Division: The Oral History

“Becky’s greatest strength is that she truly believes in the projects she takes on, and this is reflected in the energy and enthusiasm she shows in seeking out opportunities to get your work in front of the right people. She’s great to work with and I would have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone.”

Steve Burrows, author of A Shimmer of Hummingbirds, part of The Birder Murder Mystery Series

“Becky is a dedicated and highly effective advocate for writers. Our book is an unusual collaboration between a neuroscientist and composer. Becky was able to get us coverage in everything from Wired, Psychology Today and Smithsonian to the Chronicle of Higher Education. She strategically targeted highly trafficked websites and podcasts, and gained diverse and abundant exposure for our book. Throughout the months of working with her, she was always well-organized and responsive, and her advice constructive. We’re immensely thankful to have worked with her and enthusiastically recommend her.”

Anthony Brandt and David Eagleman, authors of The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World

“Becky’s advice, contacts, and strategic messaging and outreach provided immediate results in promoting our book, The Path. She reached influencers and secured interviews and events for us, handling everything from initial contact to day-of details, with attentiveness and a work ethic that is unparalleled. She was helpful, knowledgeable, and, above all, a great communicator — I would recommend her to anyone looking for a true partner in promoting their work.”

Christine Gross-Loh, co-author, with Michael Puett, of the International and NYT Bestseller The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life (Simon & Schuster)

“Becky hasn’t only put my novel into many hands – she has put it into the right hands. She makes no blind assumptions, follows no recipes. Instead, she gets to know a book to its core and then orchestrates a myriad of actions to help it get where it needs to go. I’m sure her impressive results come from her many connections and big experience in all things publishing and publicity, but mostly I suspect she’s so good at what she does because she’s first and foremost an extremely thorough and sensitive reader. I know any writer will feel very lucky (and greatly included and well looked after) to get to work with her.”

Laia Jufresa, author of Umami

“You won’t regret hiring Becky Kraemer. During twenty years in newspapers, I was frequently on the other side of the phone from publicists. Becky easily ranks among the best I ever encountered. She cared about my book and its success every bit as much as I did. She was my tireless advocate. She got results. Hire her.”

Brad Parks, award-winning crime fiction author

“Becky was an invaluable support and advocate during the successful launch of Bookshop.org. She juggled hundreds of pitches and media requests; she helped us secure incredible placement at national and international outlets; she kept us on schedule and always followed up. I’ve worked with many freelance publicists and Becky is among the top of her field. I give her my highest recommendation. ”

Andy Hunter, CEO Bookshop.org and Publisher of Catapult, Counterpoint, Soft Skull, Black Balloon

“It was a real pleasure working with Becky. She handled the US publicity for my books The Three Dimensions of Freedom and Roots, Radicals and Rockers, and did a fantastic job. She knew exactly which journalists to approach and landed me several key national interviews, including NPR’s Fresh Air and 1A, PBS Newshour, WNYC All of It, VICE, UPROXX, and more. She also arranged for several talks at bookstores around the country, and secured excellent regional media around those events. She was flexible, reliable, and creative with her ideas for how best to get my book in the hands of the right audience. I felt confident that anything she arranged would be really worth doing. I recommend her highly.”

Billy Bragg, musician and author

“Becky has an uncanny ability to familiarize herself with the essentials of your book and then relentlessly convey those essentials to the right people, leaving no stone unturned. As a result, she makes killer publicity appear in places you would never expect. Her working methods are precise and effective and she is impressively organized. With exquisite skill and diplomacy, she makes a winning campaign evolve before your very eyes. Especially welcome is her responsiveness, including all relevant parties, reporting progress on a timely basis, both in writing and via phone. She has a lot of marvels up her sleeve and with Becky Kraemer you’re in good hands.”

John-Ivan Palmer, author of Master of Deception

“The publishing market is extremely competitive, with hundreds of titles being published every month. Becky’s planning and contacts helped my book be featured in several media outlets – The New York Times, Bustle, Book Riot and The Huffington Post among them. She knows the market and how to approach journalists. I could not have had better coverage. I was very pleased, and grateful, to have her as my publicist.”

Martha Batalha, author of The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao

“It was a joy to work with Becky on promoting my translations of Eugene Vodolazkin’s three novels Laurus, The Aviator, and Solovyov & Larionov. She’s not just highly collaborative and creative, she truly cares about books and is a lot of fun to work with.”

Lisa Hayden, author at Lizok’s Books and literary translator

“Becky is the only publicist I’ve ever worked with who treats a book as a journey … or better said, an adventure. And you’re on it together. I’m not an author, but a translator, and Becky implicitly understands how much of an advocate a translator can be for a book. The more minds who have worked on and love the book the better is her principle. And you won’t get any light or glib puff about the book in question from her. I was bowled over by the sincerity and intelligence of her reading of Umami, and how this clearly played out in the reviews, articles, and positive buzz she helped create. And all perfectly timed, so that there was never a rush or pressure from her side, and the great press all fell around publication week.  It was amazing to watch her in action, and a pleasure to get to know Becky – a brilliant reader, an impressive publicist, and a genuine joy to work with.”

Sophie Hughes, literary translator of Umami

“Working with Becky was an absolute pleasure – she’s energetic, conscientious and imaginative and knows exactly what she’s doing. Also, she never gives up!”

Will Ashon, author of CHAMBER MUSIC: Wu-Tang and America (in 36 Pieces)

“It was such a pleasure working with Becky for the US publication of my book Art Sex Music. Her experience and knowledge of promotion in the publishing world, her enthusiasm and reliability in organising many interviews and the book launch in New York made a huge difference to awareness and sales of my book. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again.”

Cosey Fanni Tutti, Artist, musician, author of Art Sex Music (Faber & Faber)

“Becky did amazing work with my book Fight Like a Girl, setting up multi-city events and getting me great reviews. It can be difficult to promote outsider work in the US, and I have appreciated every effort she has made to help bring my books to the American audience. I cannot recommend her more highly!”

Clemetine Ford, author of Fight Like a Girl and Boys Will Be Boys

“Hands down, Becky is one of the best freelance publicists I have ever worked with. Becky’s passion for her job really comes through in her thoughtful, detailed campaigns. She is always thinking outside the box when it comes to media contacts that she pitches. She spends endless time (more than other publicists in the game!) working on op-eds, offering feedback/edits and generally making sure the authors are feeling listened to and supported.

Becky is the tops when it comes to communicating, reminding authors of meetings/interviews/etc. She is relentless when it comes to securing media for the authors we publish and frequently scores top-tier media.

It is a joy working with someone like Becky and I cannot stress enough how much I would recommend her work, if one is thinking about hiring an outside publicist. She really is one of the best in the business.”

Megan Fishmann, Associate Publisher/Senior Director of Publicity for Counterpoint Press, Catapult, Soft Skull

“I can’t say enough about Becky Kraemer’s fantastic work in promoting and publicizing my book. From our very first meeting, she was engaging and thoughtful and focused on the project. She came with the manuscript in hand along with her notes and questions. I knew from that moment that she cared about the book and its success. Throughout the process she was professional and diligent, and always brought to our conversations a positive energy and good humor. She showed such persistence and follow up in the months before the launch, keeping me updated on the progress, balancing expectations and realities. But of course she exceeded expectations in every way. Without Becky, my book would have never been as visible and successful as it was. Now, I can’t imagine publishing a book without her.”

James Polchin, author of Indecent Advances: A Hidden History of True Crime and Prejudice Before Stonewall

“I was looked after so well by Becky for my American book tour, she was full of enthusiasm for my book and had endless patience with all my questions about American architecture as we sat in the back of cabs looking out of the window! I had a fantastic time and can’t wait to go back and do it all again.”

Viv Albertine, author of To Throw Away Unopened

“Becky Kraemer is one of the most accountable and effective book publicists I’ve worked with. Her initiative, creativity, and diligence were invaluable in generating coverage and awareness for Gregory Crouch’s The Bonanza King. I can’t wait to get to work with her again.” 

Farley Chase, Literary Agent

“I worked with Becky on a project that wasn’t long in duration but required attention to the media cycle and a willingness to move quickly. She didn’t disappoint, landing me regional and national interviews. I’d hire her again.”

Gilbert King, Pulitzer-Prize Winning Author of Devil in the Grove

“Hiring Becky to help promote my book The Bonanza King is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. She generated more than 95 percent of the publicity surrounding its release. Becky hammered against closed doors until they opened, outflanked obstacles with creative and innovative thinking, and followed through on every opportunity, however slight. I look back on the end result of her labors with amazement—excerpts in Time, Smithsonian, and many others; interviews with relevant podcasts; reviews in important newspapers and magazines; events at bookstores, clubs, and other organizations; the list goes on and on. Virtually everything pertinent to THE BONANZA KING arose from her efforts, and that list represents just a fraction of her endeavors. She’s organized, thorough, meticulous, creative, and tenacious. Her superb work has earned her a lifetime of employment from me—I’ll never release another book without having her onboard as a core member of the team. Becky Kraemer is a panzer division of publicity generation spearheading a coordinated attack on media outlets fool enough to imagine themselves indifferent. They won’t be when she’s through with them.” 

Gregory Crouch, author of The Bonanza King: John Mackay and the Battle Over the Greatest Riches in the American West

“Becky marketed my book The Power of Others in the US, pushing it to magazines, radio stations and other media outlets. She did a fantastic job, getting me commissions in several top-line publications. She’s energetic, super dedicated, always rooting for her clients, always positive, and she’s also very well connected in the media world. I’d recommend her to anyone.”

Michael Bond, author of The Power of Others: Peer Pressure, Groupthink, and How the People Around Us Shape Everything We Do

“Becky drummed up more publicity for my book, Gold Fever, than I ever could have imagined. Not only does she take your ideas and make them more marketable, but also she generates a steady flow of ideas of her own that result in stories, features, interviews and items being published in a wide variety of media. Becky got me on NPR’s Weekend Edition, PRI’s The World, in USA Today, National Geographic Book Talk, and many other outlets. I have no hesitation whatsoever in endorsing Becky and her peerless skills as a publicist.”

Steve Boggan, author of Gold Fever: One Man’s Adventures on the Trail of the Gold Rush