About Elly
With over 40 years’ experience in book-publicity, PR & publishing, I now teach authors how to carry-out their own publicity campaigns
PR expertise & experience
I am an experienced book publicist who has spent more than four decades working in PR and publishing and journalism - including ten years as an independent book publicist carrying-out publicity campaigns for numerous authors (and publishers) – successfully landing reviews, feature articles & interviews for them in newspapers & magazines; on websites & blogs; and on podcasts, TV & radio. These days I take great pleasure in teaching authors how to carry-out their own PR campaigns to promote their books.
Demystifying the book publicity process
Throughout my career I have felt that novice authors (particularly independent authors) often feel cast adrift in the fast-paced, jargon-infested world of publishing and publicity. With publishing budgets being so squeezed nowadays, authors are increasingly thrown back on their own resources when it comes to trying to get media attention for their books.
For those authors who have never worked in PR, marketing or publishing, there is a lot to discover about the highly-competitive book industry and the way in which the media works with authors and publicists. Even very experienced authors can feel daunted by the prospect of having to carry-out a publicity campaign for their own book.
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I am here to help authors. I offer friendly one-to-one tuition and coaching tailored specifically to you and your book!
I offer a range of one-to-one tutorial sessions via Zoom to help authors and independent publishers understand the PR process, learn some of the skills needed, and get to grips with the techniques required for a publicity campaign – all with the ultimate aims of improving your chances of securing some great publicity in the media, getting your books noticed more widely; and boosting your book sales.
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I welcome first-time authors (as well as experienced authors and publishers) and I help to steer them through the (sometimes bewildering) world of publishing, publicity and PR with kindness and understanding.
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I am a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors and a Member of The Publishers’ Publicity Circle.
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If you have any queries or would like further information about how I might be able to help you, why not request a FREE, no-obligation 20-minute chat with me via the ENQUIRE page of this website?
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Thank you for visiting my website. I hope to hear from you.
Best wishes
ELLY DONOVAN PR
elly@ellydonovan.co.uk
“I really enjoyed our sessions and found them so helpful and informative. I feel so much more confident about carrying out my campaign!”
KELSIE STOKER (author of Silenda)
“Thank you very much for your marvellous tutorials. They are really paying off and this makes me realise that effectively publicising a book is almost as hard as writing it. I am hugely grateful for all your advice. Your help is certainly making a big difference to my book’s visibility.”
DR SARAH WATKINSON (author of Native Soil)
“Elly Donovan has helped me enormously, patiently guiding me through the minefield. There is a lot to get your head around – a quick glance at Elly’s PR Coaching page shows that clearly. There is so much to think about and learn. It is not enough to write the book. The book is nothing without readers and that’s where Elly’s help, advice and tutorials come in.”
PAUL GRAHAM
(author of In the Shadow They Cast)
“Elly is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, committed and generous. She is also reliable, quick to respond and always around for advice. I have found her training invaluable.”
An independent Sussex author who wishes to remain anonymous
“Without Elly’s incredible commitment, work ethic, networking and experience my book would be unknown. Elly was always available and very approachable, the ultimate professional who knows the industry inside out. I would 100% recommend Elly.”
JAN ROTHNEY
(author of Breaking Free: A Guide to Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long Covid Symptoms)
“Elly works with dedication and commitment, with expansive knowledge and experience. Her assistance has been vital to the effective promotion of titles and she is a delight to work with.”
STEVE MCNAUGHT
(Editor & Co-ordinator, Arkbound Publishing)
“Working with Elly has been awesome. She has vast experience, drive and determination. To top it off she is a lovely lady too. Thanks Elly, for everything. You really are a superstar.”
ELIZABETH COFFEY
(author of And the Little One Said)
“I cannot thank Elly enough. She has been so diligent, patient, and flexible throughout. She is always prompt, always helpful, and has managed to simplify every step of what initially felt like a bewildering world. I would highly recommend Elly … Brilliant work and tireless professionalism.”
DR MORGAN PHILLIPS
(author of Great Adaptations:
In the Shadow of a Climate Crisis)
“Elly was recommended to me, and I am so glad I took the advice. As a complete novice in the world of publishing, she unerringly guided me along the correct path. She was never too busy to answer my queries, she was always on hand to advise.”
DAVID JACKSON, FRCS
(author of Surgeon in the Raw)
“Wonderful. I cannot thank you enough for all your support to make a dream a reality. Friendly, professional, fantastic service. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you.”
ROBERT McHARDY
(author of Bonnie Montrose)
“Thanks for your support. You have been super kind to me and I know you’ve gone above and beyond in helping me promote this book. You’re a star!”
MICHAEL HACKETT
(author of Gobsmacked)
“Elly is an inspired book publicist”
ANDY HAYWARD
(former Director of Constable Robinson Publishers)