| Copyright (c) 2007 Gail Richards | | | | |
| | | | Press Releases |
| One of the most vital items an author must | | | | |
| have in hardcopy and online is a media kit. | | | | An author should continually think about how |
| Keep it in PDF format, and you will have | | | | her book relates to the news of the day, and |
| everything you need in one place. | | | | she should release her own news stories |
| | | | accordingly. A press release should be |
| You are creating something that contains all | | | | short-a page or two at most, with a |
| the information that a media representative | | | | provocative headline that grabs the reader's |
| will need when preparing an interview or | | | | attention. Enticing statistics in the |
| writing a story. If there is a news story | | | | opening of a press release immediately |
| that is relevant to your book, a reporter | | | | communicate the magnitude of the problem or |
| will have no time to waste in getting the | | | | challenge the topics your book addresses. |
| information he or she needs. And if you and | | | | Writing should be short, pithy, and tight. |
| your book are ready, you will get the | | | | Always include a brief author bio and all the |
| interview. | | | | relevant book information and ordering |
| | | | information. |
| A full media kit will include at least: | | | | |
| | | | Interview Questions and Answers |
| � A Table of Contents for the media kit | | | | |
| itself | | | | It is very helpful to reporters and |
| | | | interviewers when you help them ask the right |
| � Fact sheet on book including the | | | | questions. Most of the time you will be |
| title, author, publication date, ISBN, number | | | | doing an interview with someone who has not |
| of pages, retail availability, testimonials | | | | had time to read your book. Professionals |
| | | | know this and do everything they can to help |
| � Book cover photo (full scale, color, | | | | the interviewer look good and do a good job |
| print-ready, 300 DPI) | | | | of highlighting what is important in your |
| | | | book. |
| � Author photo(s) | | | | |
| | | | It all comes back to your core messages. |
| � An author bio (full version | | | | Think of what questions you'd like an |
| demonstrating why you are an expert on this | | | | interviewer to ask you so you could answer |
| subject) | | | | them by giving your core messages, and when |
| | | | there is time, examples of each. |
| � Reviews, testimonials or endorsements | | | | |
| | | | When you write interview questions, write the |
| � Press release(s) � you can | | | | most important ones first. It is likely that |
| continue to add to these | | | | there will be time for at least two to three |
| | | | questions in any interview, so make the first |
| � At least ten interview questions the | | | | three questions in your list the ones you |
| author is prepared to answer (with the | | | | absolutely want to be asked because they give |
| answers) that highlight your core messages | | | | the most important pieces of information that |
| | | | will make your audience anxious to hear more |
| � Book excerpt from the introduction or | | | | and buy your book. |
| any piece that shows the impact of the work | | | | |
| | | | Great interview questions are the ones that |
| � Clippings from previous media | | | | help the interviewer get right to the |
| interviews/articles | | | | controversial part of your book. What are |
| | | | you telling your reader that is counter to |
| Plan to make this media kit available before | | | | what they might have heard before or contrary |
| publication. The media won't wait until | | | | to conventional thinking. |
| you've had a chance to put this together, so | | | | |
| if it isn't completed beforehand, they will | | | | Make sure and have examples or stories to |
| go to the next story. | | | | illustrate each controversial message point. |
| | | | If there is a great story behind why you |
| If you get frequent requests from the | | | | wrote the book, have your interview questions |
| magazines, in particular, you'll want to have | | | | bring that out as well. |
| some hard copies prepared and ready to go. | | | | |
| Hard copies usually are sent in a colored | | | | Interviewers like to ask for key points, or |
| folder with a printed label of the front | | | | five tips, or three strategies, so give them |
| cover on the front cover of the media kit. | | | | questions that allow you to answer with a |
| You will want to have a template of a | | | | list of items. These have great take-away |
| personalized letter ready to go out with the | | | | value for listeners or readers of the |
| media kit. | | | | interview. |
| | | | |
| Author Bio | | | | Create a compelling media kit and you will |
| | | | get more and better interview opportunities. |
| In the bio for your media kit, you want to | | | | |
| clearly state something about your background | | | | Gail Richards is founder of a dynamic |
| and your accomplishments that is relevant for | | | | website connecting aspiring authors with the |
| this book and its readers (about 100 to 500 | | | | classes, audio library, tools, information |
| words). | | | | and resources needed to make smart, informed |
| | | | decisions at each step in the nonfiction book |
| There are two common mistakes in writing an | | | | publishing journey. Jan King is the founder |
| author bio for a Web site or a media kit. The | | | | of a membership organization devoted to |
| ï¬rst is saying too much, and the second | | | | supporting and coaching women who become |
| is saying too little. | | | | successfully published nonfiction authors. |