How to Create a Press Kit for Your Book

Author Learning Center — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 14:46:36 GMT

Current Revision posted to Press Kits by Author Learning Center on 8/9/2018 2:46:36 PM

You want to grab the attention of as many people as possible when you release your book. That's where the press kit comes in. Press kits, or media kits as they're sometimes called, are "a package of promotional material provided to members of the press to brief them, especially about a product, service, or candidate." Before we dive into what goes into a press kit, let's talk about why they're important for your book marketing campaign.

Press kits are usually sent before your book is published and include an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) so interviewers and reviewers can acquaint themselves with your work. Book reviewers have their own publishing deadlines to meet, so the sooner a press kit can be sent the better. Plus, if you're planning on including any reviews or accolades on your book's cover or interior, you (or your publisher) will want those added as soon as possible to avoid pushing back your book's release date.

"...authors make their press kits available on their websites or blogs for easiest and quickest access."

Next, let's go over how you get your press kit into the hands of the people who want it. A press kit can be provided as a hard copy packet, but keep in mind that sending physical versions can get pretty expensive. Fortunately, we live in the digital age and, more often than not, a PDF will work just fine. Most authors make their press kits available on their websites or blogs for easy access, too. All that being said, you'll want to have both versions available just in case. More importantly, nothing gets a manuscript rejected faster than not following instructions. If you send a hard copy when they request a PDF, say goodbye to that potential review.

Now the pièce de résistance: what to include in your press kit. Here's what you'll need:

• Author Biography

• Elevator Pitch

• Press Release

• Sell Sheet

• Book Excerpt (a couple pages worth, usually from the beginning)

• Contact info (address, phone, email)

• Photos (book cover, author photo, etc.)

Put the same amount of effort into your press kit as you did with your book and it'll show. Along with taking the first step towards creating a strong marketing campaign, you'll also increase your chances of getting noticed by reviewers. Not all reviews will be winners, but a good review can be all that stands between a book becoming a bestseller or finding its way into the bargain bin.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Press Kit: What is it?

Author Learning Center — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 13:59:01 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Press Kits by Author Learning Center on 8/9/2018 1:59:01 PM

You want to grab the attention of as many people as possible when you release your book and that's where the press kit comes in. Press kits are "a package of promotional material provided to members of the press to brief them, especially about a product, service, or candidate." Before we dive into what goes into a press kit, let's talk about why they're important for your book marketing campaign.

"...authors make their press kits available on their websites or blogs for easiest and quickest access."

Now let's talk about what to include in your press kit.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Press Kit: What is it?

Author Learning Center — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 13:07:58 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Press Kits by Author Learning Center on 8/9/2018 1:07:58 PM

When getting your book out to the world, you want to grab the attention of as many people as possible. This is where press kits come into play. They are a package of information designed to show off your book and to allow people to get a good glimpse into you, the author, and your writing.

A press kit is usually sent before a book is published, and includes advanced review copies of your book that help interviewers prepare to meet you. Those who will write reviews of your book can meet their own publishing deadlines when they have a copy. The sooner a press kit can be sent the better. It helps the author and the book publisher get the excitement started.

"...authors make their press kits available on their websites or blogs for easiest and quickest access."

A press kit can be provided in two ways: as a hard copy packet or as a PDF attachment in an email. Some publishing companies and authors make their press kits available on their websites or blogs for easiest and quickest access. This can give interviewers and reviewers a chance to know about the book and author ahead of time.

You as the author can put together a press kit and send it to those who are asking to know about your book. It may be costly if you send out hard copies, so an alternative is going the digital way. Send an e-mail with a link to your website. The receiver will then download a PDF from your site on their computer. Or you can attach the PDF press kit right in your e-mail, making it a very simple process.

By delivering a press kit the moment it is asked for, you can market your work that much faster and meet the demand for instant availability.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Press Kit: What is it? - article

Shells Walter — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:28:48 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Press Kits by Shells Walter on 3/3/2017 1:28:48 PM

A press kit can be provided in two ways: as a hard copy packet, or as a PDF attachment in an email. Some publishing companies and authors make their press kits available on their websites or blogs for easiest and quickest access. This can give interviewers and reviewers a chance to know about the book and author ahead of time.

By being able to deliver a press kit the moment it is asked for, you can market your work that much faster and meet the demand for instant availability.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Press Kit: What is it? - Article

Shells Walter — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Press Kits by Shells Walter on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

By being able to deliver a press kit the moment it is asked for, you can market your work that much faster and meet the demand for instant availability.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction