You've published a book and suddenly a radio or televison station or a newspaper, want to interview you or a reviewer asks you to send them a press kit. First of all, don't panic. A press kit is not some magical entity that only those published by the big houses can have. You can create your own.
Here are some things that you may like to include in the press kit to send to interested reviewers and interviewers.
A) An author's bio detailing all your professional writing credits, contest wins, short stories, articles etc. A little bit about what you enjoy in your spare time, but most of it should be about your writing life.
B) Include the clippings (or photocopies of them) from newspapers or magazines where your articles have appeared. If you've only ever written for the web, print out a copy of the article and mention the
website where it was selected to appear.
C) An author photograph, as professional as possible.
D) A picture of your book's cover, or poster of it.
E) Any previous good reviews you have had for your book.
F) Any speaking engagements or booksigning events that you have coming up. Or the details of previous ones and how successful they were.
G) You could also inlcude a previous interview, it might save them some time and at least you know what sort of questions might be asked of you.
If you can afford it, a nice presentation folder for your press kit goes down well. On your website, you can also list the things above, but if a newspaper etc. ask for a press kit, don't just send them to the website. They are busy and would probably prefer to have everything to hand.
Your press kit can be as short or as long as you desire. It's really up to you and how much time you think the person on the other end has to read it.
Copyright 2002 Annette Gisby.
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Reviewed by Arthur Bain (Reader)
Reviewed on November 23, 2002
Great article Annette. I'm gonna start work on my media kit this weekend.
Arthur L. Bain
http://clik.to/ArthurLBain
author of Publishing for Profit &
Art 101: Developing Style
Annette I found it and it is very much to the point. I like it.Kristie wanted it and now I know what she wants she will get it. If I don't give it to her she will drag it out of me one way or the other. If we didn't have you and Kristie for a spark plugs we would only putter around in stead of zooming off like a rocket.
Reviewed by Kathleen Walls
Reviewed on November 9, 2002
Great article Annette. Concise but has all the pertinent infomation
Very good information. This type of a press kit can be done both as a regular press kit or even a virtual one which can be e-mailed to people who request it if they are agreeable to it.
Reviewed by Kristie Maguire (Reader)
Reviewed on February 17, 2002
Excellent info on how to put together a press kit without having to pay big bucks to have it done.
Reviewed by Lori Enos
Reviewed on February 16, 2002
Great information. I'm getting ready to put together a publicity campaign for my latest book and this will come in very handy.
Reviewed by Karen Bryson (Reader)
Reviewed on February 16, 2002
This is a very informative article and provides useful information for those writers wanting to develop professional publicity materials.
Reviewed by Mark Haeuser (Reader)
Reviewed on February 16, 2002
Good information for the new or even established writer. If you do not have the cash for a professional PR person this article will get you well on the way.
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http://clik.to/ArthurLBain
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This will be of help to most of us that
are fortunate enough to read it.
Thanks so much for sharing this with me.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Everett Beal author of Southern Winds