How to create press kits that demand attention.

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.