The public relations business can feel ruthless at times. Professionals are competing to win clients, competing for limited space in the media, and competing for the attention of consumers.

An aggressive, can’t-stop attitude is necessary in PR, but competition isn’t everything.

After years in the book PR business, our CEO, Crystal Patriarche, has found that collaboration can be just as meaningful and motivational as competition. As a small business owner and female CEO, Crystal wanted to take a moment to tip her hat to some of the most meaningful publicity relationships in her career.

Sarah Burningham, Little Bird Publicity, Marketing & Branding

Perhaps the most notable moment in Crystal and Sarah’s partnership is their collaboration on the very first Summer Reading Challenge (now in its seventh year). The two female entrepreneurs first conceived the idea together and combined forces to bring the SRC to life. Both freelance publicists and moms, they leaned on each other to help provide an immensely valuable opportunity to their clients.

Since that monumental moment, the two women have continued to send clients to one another. For Crystal, Sarah is someone she will always respect and she couldn’t be more grateful for the sounding board this smart and savvy woman provides.

Ann Marie Nieves, Get Red PR

Crystal and Ann Marie have worked alongside one another for years, recommending clients back and forth and sharing their journey with one another. Another member of the mom-preneur club, Ann Marie is someone who, like Crystal, is balancing the life of motherhood and business ownership.

Ann Marie was also part of the first Summer Reading Challenge, coming together with Sarah and Crystal to promote their clients.

The thing Crystal admires most about Ann Marie is her approach and the results they produce. Aggressive and fearless, Ann Marie is the first publicist Crystal recommends to anyone in need of an East Coast, results-driven PR professional.

Stephen Lee, Publicist to Emily Giffin

The one dude to make the list has no problem being a part of this female-saturated club. Stephen Lee has connected Emily Giffin with our team on a number of occasions, helping make her the host of SRC and a powerful addition to any of our promotions and initiatives. We’re grateful for the connections and ideas that come with Stephen.

Crystal has noted just how gracious, responsive and willing to collaborate he is on more than one occasion.

Elena Meredith, PR By The Book

Elena came to our very first writers retreat, worked with one of our recommended pubs for She Writes Press authors, and even did a panel at the She Writes Retreat. Her Austin-based agency has the same vibe as BookSparks so she keeps Crystal and her team on their toes and watching with eager anticipation.

The work she does for indie authors in particular gives Crystal major heart eyes and she is grateful for the open relationship that allows her to connect Elena to She Writes Press authors in a big and beautiful, collaborative way.

Eva Zimmerman, Eva Zimmerman PR

Working as an individual publicist, Eva makes waves as a solo pro. She comes from the traditional book publishing world and has made a name for herself inside and outside that sphere. She has worked with She Writes Press authors and has a great approach, and awesome results for indie authors.

As far as Crystal is concerned, Eva is the memoir maven of the book PR world and the go-to person for memoirists and nonfiction authors.