What exactly does a publicist spend their days doing?

Pitching the media, confirming (and re-confirming) interviews/appearances/events, managing author egos, putting out fires, etc. But if you’re someone who works with NYT bestselling authors like Jennifer Weiner and Fredrik Backman, you also get to go on tour! Ariele Fredman Stewart began her publishing career interning for Bloomsbury and mocking up Harry Potter posters, and now works as the Associate Director of Publicity in the Atria imprint at Simon & Schuster. Corinne talked to Ariele about just how much publicity has changed since the advent of digital media, why her role on book tours is that of a (friendly) cop, how the role of a publicist is always evolving, and whether or not viral fame has changed her toddler.

Ariele Fredman Stewart is a book publicist who has launched New York Times bestselling campaigns for Fredrik Backman, Jennifer Weiner, Colleen Hoover, and many others, including YouTube sensations Shane Dawson and Connor Franta. She loves cheese, crafting, and reading (duh), and lives with her husband and daughter in Queens, NY. Find her on Instagram at @arielestewart.