The Essential Elements Of An Author Press Kit

Crafting A Powerful First Impression

photo of Sherry Briscoe

What’s the purpose of an author press or media kit? And, do you really need one?

Authors are often asked to give presentations, do book signings, or speak on podcasts or during other interviews. Always send your press kit ahead so the person introducing you has all the needed information.

If you’re a professional author and you want to make a career from writing, then yes, you need a press kit.

You can hire a marketing/PR agency to create a press kit, or you can create your own.

Elements of a professional press kit:

• Book excerpt or chapter, here you can showcase your strongest writing.
• One-sentence pitch, this is about the book you’re promoting or a class you’re teaching.

Garibaldi, Oregon, offers many things, including quaint businesses, friendly people, and dark secrets. But beware, evil hides in the shadows.

or

When magic creeps into the bay of a small coastal town, will the inhabitants be able to survive ghosts, curses, and a dragon?

• Author bio. Make it relevant to your role as a writer.

A native Idahoan with Cherokee heritage, Sherry Briscoe writes paranormal suspense mysteries and urban fantasy. Her childhood heroes were Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allan Poe, and she insists that episodes of The Twilight Zone made perfectly fine bedtime stories.

With degrees in journalism, photography, and Adult Education, Sherry covers all her passions of creativity and teaching others. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, who keeps her well stocked in chai tea lattes and lemon drop martinis, and her Burmese cat, who shares her popcorn, pizzas, and even an occasional beer.

Sherry is a world traveler, US Army Veteran, and active member of her writing community.

• Author photo.

headshot of Sherry Briscoe

• Book cover image.

Photo by Author

• Reviews of the book.

Amazon review: “I don’t usually read this genre, but this book came as a gift. As soon as I read the first page, I was hooked. Miss Briscoe is a master of description and I finished the whole book in two big swallow! Her characters jumped right off the page and I couldn’t wait to find out what they would do next. Now I’m waiting for her next book.” ~ Alice B.

• Social media links.
• Your contact information.

What NOT to put in your press kit:

• Big blocks of text. Write clean, lean, and to the point. Less is more!
• A cluttered page. Think of it as a roadmap. It needs to make sense and be easy to follow.
• An unprofessional headshot. No selfies here!

When to use a press kit:

• Post on your author’s website.
• For new book releases.
• For speaking engagements.
• To pitch to an agent or publisher.
• To get media coverage for an event you’re doing, maybe a book signing or a new book launch.

All in all, the media kit is a one-page promotion about you and your latest book.

Use it wisely, but use it!

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Your friend, fellow writer, and lover of all things supernatural,

Sherry Briscoe

Reader, Writer, Wordsmith Advisor — navigating the universe of fiction and fantasy, sharing words of wisdom and inspiration. Send coffee.