Testimonials

Brendan has been invaluable to Wild Dingo Press' growth over the past two years. He understood the different publicity needs of our various authors and books, and tailored campaigns to them accordingly. He loves literature, and propels our books into the world with all of the (considerable) skills, connections, passion, energy and enthusiasm he can muster. His work has made our small press more visible, through the reviews, radio, TV and festivals he has been able to secure for us. He is a dream to work with.

—Cathi Lewis, Publisher, Wild Dingo Press

We’ve had the great pleasure to work with Brendan on a number of cookbook campaigns, and he is without doubt one of the best there is.  Hard working, professional, incredibly effective, not to mention an absolute delight to work with. We wouldn’t go anywhere else.

—Ruth Hobday, Editor-in-Chief, Blackwell & Ruth

Brendan Fredericks is a highly engaged and effective publicist. He loves writing, writers and ideas and does all he can to connect them with readers. He has done a great job for Griffith Review in recent years, each edition requires a different approach, something he has enthusiastically embraced.

—Julianne Schultz AM FAHA, Publisher and Founding Editor, Griffith Review

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Brendan on the publicity of Audible Originals over the past 18 months. In that time, Brendan’s passion and enthusiasm for great storytelling and his commitment to delivering strong results has resulted in impressive media coverage for Audible.

Brendan has a deep understanding of what will resonate with media and he has the relationships required to secure major print and broadcast opportunities that drive business growth. I would highly recommend Brendan Fredericks for any publishing or entertainment publicity.

—Mel Gompes, Senior Brand Manager, Audible

Brendan Fredericks is organised, communicative and intelligent, and he has incredible relationships with media and festivals. He brings unparalleled passion and warmth to the publicity process, and his author care is second to none. It’s a delight to work with him.

—Angela Meyer, Publisher, Echo Publishing, Bonnier Zaffre

Brendan Fredericks has run media campaigns for two of my books—one current affairs and one self-help. In both cases—and across these very different categories—he produced flawless campaigns. Both authors made a point of talking to me about the quality of his communication and the strength of his commitment to them and to their work. Brendan is proof that with enough passion, drive and creativity you can still run a stellar traditional media campaign in this country, despite the rapidly changing media landscape.

—Ingrid Ohlsson, Director, Non-fiction Publishing Pan Macmillan Australia

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Brendan Fredericks and have seen his passion for books, the care with which he looks after authors and the great publicity results he delivers first hand. His work ethic is astounding and his humour and good nature make him a joy to work with. Publishing is a small world and I hope one day to work with Brendan again as he is, quite simply, one of the best.

—Vanessa Radnidge, Publisher Hachette Australia

Brendan Fredericks is a babushka. Gregarious, effusive, friendly on the outside, he is the party you want a publicist to be. On the inside he is layers of vision and intelligence, passion, excitement and loyalty, when promoting a book he knows no bounds. And right at the heart of him stands the archer, tall and calm and taking aim, and when he shoots it’s strategic, elegant, and hits the target every time. This is the babushka every publisher wants in their pocket.

—Donna Ward, Publisher, Inkerman & Blunt

When I needed to employ a publicist someone said take a look at this bloke, he's clever, he is so so keen. In walked Brendan, upsidedown hair, jiggling, dark suit, engaging smile and unbridled enthusiasm, a passion for books that was immediately impressive. The success of Orion books in Australia, in particular Gollancz, was in no small part due to Brendo and his championing of books and of authors. He was a great asset, a creative publicist, a situation rectifier and a man who got things done. He never let me or our authors down professionally or personally. He's top shelf.

—Sandy Weir Orion Sales and Marketing Director (2006–2009).

It's easy to say Brendan has been a pleasure to work with, because he has — diligent, committed, and genuinely supportive of his authors. But what matters most to me is that he cares about the works he represents, and takes that step into the unknown with them, feeling each moment of their arrival in the world along with their authors. He cares, and believes.

—John Kinsella, Poet, Playwright and Author

Brendan Fredericks is a class act when it comes to publicists. He got me an extraordinary amount of top level interviews and coverage for my book The Hunt for MH370, juggling a great range of demands with professionalism and efficiency. Brendan is also a top guy, thoroughly honest, ethical and eager to get the best results for all.

—Ean Higgins, Senior Reporter, The Australian

Brendan Fredericks provides a wealth of promotional and publicity opportunities nationally and locally as needed in Australia and will ensure the best possible experience for a book launch a writer could desire.

—Raymond E. Feist, The Magician

In an era when it’s no easy thing to get a book attention, working with Brendan Fredericks on Wisdom Tree was the first time I’ve ever had to beg a publicist to slow down and make me do less, so that I could make sure my family still knew me and my life wasn’t all festivals and interviews. He got the project so much coverage, the media reports started talking about how much coverage I was getting. All this because of a smart plan of his, executed with relentless energy and purpose.

—Nick Earls, Zigzag Street, Wisdom Tree: Five Novellas

As the BEST Author’s publicist going around, I want Brendan Fredericks to work with me on every book I manage to finish! He is a pure delight.

—Steve Bisley, Actor and Author, Stillways, All the Burning Bridges

I’ve truly never worked with someone who has so much energy, creativity and commitment to promoting authors. Brendan doesn’t live in our world. Some might call it ADHD, but I call it a blessing for those who don’t settle for second best. He’s going to bust his guts for you.

—Matt Noffs, CEO of the Noffs Foundation, Co-Founder of Street Universities, Author, Breaking the Ice, Addicted?

The publicity tour that Brendan organised for me with Bloomsbury Australia was brilliant. From national television and radio to print media, blogs, webchats, a sit down dinner for 60, canapes based on the book, demonstrations, and anything that could connect readers and cooks to my book, I had the most exciting tornado of  a book tour that I could have dreamed of. Brendan was organised, professional, tough when he needed to be, fun to be around, and an excellent eating partner (which counts for a lot to a food writer). He even helped me prepare the food for one of my television slots and washed up afterwards! Brendan and Bloomsbury got weeks worth of publicity and events into days. I can’t recommend him highly enough. One tip, start a swear box as soon as you meet him, and Brendan will supply you with enough money to buy him a thankyou dinner!

—Alex Mackay, Alex Mackay’s Cookbook for Everybody Everyday

For authors who have toiled with blood sweat and tears to reach the point of publication, the road to then getting the book out is always a long one, and there is nothing worse than the heartache caused by a lack lustre campaign... but there is light at the end of that tunnel, and it is Brendan Fredericks. 

Speaking from my own experience, Brendan goes far beyond his duty to champion his authors and is not prepared to have the work pigeon-holed at any stage. During the untold interviews, festivals, and other events that he set up for me, I felt that he had lined up journalists and event hosts who not only were able to broadcast my story to the public effectively, but who understood and appreciated my book and what I had to say. I noticed that festival directors, radio and TV producers, and editors, all listened keenly to Brendan's opinion and had a deep respect for him. Part of Brendan's quality is his vision, his willingness to aim high and think big, and never say die, but also his acute skill in connecting people, whether it be fellow authors, producers, or the waiter behind the bar. 

It has left me with the deep impression that Brendan is, by a country mile the most dedicated, enthusiastic, passionate, genuine and effective publicist of any kind that I have worked with. Whilst not to make light of that statement, I would also like to say he makes one great friend, and an expert dog handler! And lastly, I can't stress enough that Brendan listens, and is forever open, never one to roll the eyes at the suggestion of a new pie in the sky idea - and this creates the impression that for him, books, stories and people, are his way of life, and not just a job.

—Tim Cope,On the Trail of Genghis Khan

Brendan is the best publicity person I've ever worked with. He arranges amazing programmes for one's books, and is a great companion and advisor on the road.

—A.C. Grayling, The God Argument

When I first met Brendan Fredericks, he jittered with an enthusiasm so intense I thought he must be a coke head. But I soon realised that's just how he is. Naturally. Like he’s wedged his finger in an electric socket. I also realised that he was the best publishing PR person I had EVER dealt with. Brendan loves literature, therefore he also loves, (and understands) the people who make it. But it wasn't just the enthusiasm and energy that made him so valuable to me. It was his organisational abilities, the way he could get things up and moving, his commitment and dedication to the job, the fact that he was always ’there’. I shall miss him very much. I know that whatever he does, whether working in the publishing industry or out of it, he will bring those qualities to bear, and be an invaluable asset.

—Robyn Davidson, Tracks

Brendan Fredericks is the greatest publicist I have ever met in my life—and I have worked with several as an author at various publishing houses and as a journalist at various publications. I am not alone in this—many writers, including those who haven't even worked with him, know this or know of this. He is known in our circles as 'the rockstar publicist' and for good reason. He is a powerhouse! He made my Australian book tour the best experience of my life—and that includes meticulous correspondence many months in advance and then world-class treatment at the actual festivals and events. Brendan was always at my side not just because he had to be but because I wanted him to be—how rare that a publicist is not just an advocate and a representative, but a true friend! Brendan gets artists and creative types because I am convinced that deep down he is one! His combination of unstoppable energy, off-the-charts enthusiasm, boundless kindness, incredible book and street smarts made him an indispensable part of my life in the last year, and I hope beyond. I count myself as one of the luckiest writers on earth to have crossed paths with such a legendary human!

—Porochista Khakpour,The Last Illusion

I’ve known plenty of publicists and I must say (must as in it is a necessity) that Brendan Fredericks is A-1. He advocates and advocates for his authors, knows everyone worth knowing, and gets results - the reviews, the features, the international literary festival bookings - every author I know covets. To top it off, he makes sure all is well whenever he accompanies you in the world. Any scribbler that gets the chance to work with him should seize it light speed.

—Mitchell S. Jackson, The Residue Years

I was lucky enough to have Brendan Fredericks as the publicist of my debut novel, Past the Shallows. He is one of the most passionate publicists I have ever met, and his level of author care is incredible. He makes the sometimes difficult job of book promotion (interviews, events, public speaking, festivals) less stressful and more fun. I always felt totally taken care of and in good hands. Brendan put me at ease and allowed me to shine, and his hard work helped Past the Shallows become a success.

I was devastated when he left Hachette and it is always so lovely to see him at writers festivals and events. I’d love work with him again one day.

—Favel Parrett, Past the Shallows

Let’s say you find yourself out in the world with book: Brendan Fredericks is the man you want by your side. Not only can you trust him to get the word about your lifework, you can trust him to get you from interviews to appearances to the last clean bathroom in 40 miles with unflappable charm. It’s not often that business-smarts and street-smarts come from the same individual, but Brendan is exactly that rare bird.

—Mira Jacob, The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing.

I would be remiss not to take the time to sing Brendan’s praises, once more. We all know that we adore him because he is such a delight of a boy, but there is far more to that charming boy than meets the eye, and I've really been able to see it more clearly on this trip. 

Not only is he brilliant, well-read, and hardworking, but his skills with people go beyond anything I've ever seen. Traveling from festival to festival with him over these last 6 weeks, I have yet to see Brendan encounter a single human being whom he cannot immediately figure out how manage—from the prickly and entitled, to the sensitive and needy, to the aggressive, to the shy, to the outrageously drunk, to the petulantly vegan, to downright bastards and bitches. He possesses a sort of gentle emotional kung-fu that he puts to use on people swiftly, making each new person relax into trusting him within moments... and then they just want to work with him, not against him. And I mean EACH person—festival directors, publishing executives, TV producers, hotel concierges, literary celebrities, taxi drivers, waiters, airport personnel, and the guy selling coffee at 5am. 

As such, Brendan cuts a swath of ease through the world—and I honestly think it's just because he genuinely likes everyone he meets, and wants to see the only best in them. Therefore, they show him their best. What a power that is! There's a deep ethical goodness in Brendan that goes far beyond mere friendliness.  (Not only does he not gossip about anyone, for instance, but he will shut down the gossip of others by gently but firmly saying, 'Well, my experience with her is that she's wonderful,' or 'Please don't tell me bad things about people I've never met before—I would so much rather come to know them on my own, without prejudice.') And that goodness and decency inspires all of us to want to please him, and act like better people around him, which means that there is never any drama in Brendan-world. Better still, it also means that he convinces everyone (myself very much included) to work a lot harder and work a lot more cheerfully than we might otherwise have done. It's wonderful to watch, and wonderful to be swept up in.

Brendan is a treasure. My own warmest conviction is that he REALLY, REALLY, REALLY is a treasure.

—Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love.