How To Create An Amazing Book Press Kit for Authors

Discover the Power of a Book Press Kit For Authors: Journalists operate in a whirlwind of activity, sifting through a barrage of pitches daily. Navigating a landscape of deadlines and articles, a journalist faces over 200 pitches each day. To ensure your story stands out in this dynamic environment, make the journalist’s experience seamless by including an exceptional author book press kit with each pitch. If you haven’t crafted one before, no worries – this article is here to guide you on how to create a book press kit for authors that will captivate the media’s attention.

First, What Is an Book Press Kit For Authors?

A book press kit for authors serves as a comprehensive online PDF booklet, presenting all the essential information a journalist needs about you and your book. The purpose of this press kit is twofold: to simplify the journalist’s task and to pique their interest, increasing the likelihood of them interviewing you or featuring your book. An author press kit acts as a centralized repository, offering journalists a one-stop-shop for all the information they require.

In the past, press kits were typically printed on glossy paper. However, the digital age has revolutionized this practice, and now all press kits are presented in PDF format. It is easy to learn how to create a book press kit for authors as I break it down into easy steps with everything you need. Remember, an author book press kit must be designed for clarity, presenting information that addresses the media’s most common queries.

The Ultimate Guide to Creating an Author Press Kit

Two key elements play pivotal roles in garnering optimal media coverage for authors. First, the author press kit must be exceptional. Second, a well-crafted pitch should convey valuable information that resonates with the media’s interests. An author press kit serves as the cornerstone for all book promotions. As you engage with networks and media outlets, your press kit becomes an invaluable tool, helping crystallize your message and guiding discussions.

Navigating the media landscape can be overwhelming, but with a stellar press kit and a compelling pitch, you’ll stand out amidst the noise. Remember, your press kit is not just a document; it’s a strategic asset that showcases your story and book in a way that captivates journalists. So, take the time to create a press kit that reflects the passion and essence of your work, making the journalist’s journey through your material a seamless and engaging experience.

Ready to start? Follow this guide to creating an author press kit.

Where Does Your Author Press Kit Live?

Once your press kit is crafted, it will become an attachment to your emails and a downloadable link on your website. Ensure your press kit is added to your author’s website so you can conveniently direct others to it. For instance, when engaging with journalists or influencers who have an audience, you can refer them back to your press kit. Moreover, when the media visits your website, their initial search will likely be for a press kit, so it’s crucial to ensure easy accessibility.

What to Include in Your Author Press Kit

Based on my 10-odd years of experience in book publicity, journalists and media outlets requesting an author press kit would like the following information:

1. Three author bios
2. Three book descriptions
3. Contact information
4. Book information
5. Sample author Q&A
6. Current book reviews, endorsements, and testimonials
7. Quotes 
8. Author photos
9. Book excerpt

Writing Your Short and Long Author Bios and Your Author Tagline for Your Press Kit.

Your author bios are essential parts of your author book press kit. You need to get them right because you’ll refer to them repeatedly for all of your marketing initiatives. 

What is an author bio?

When the media requests your biography, they aren’t seeking your life story. Instead, they desire a concise overview of who you are as an author, your writing focus, and what sets you apart or adds extra value. In your author press kit, you should include three types of bios: the author tagline, a short bio, and an extended bio.

Writing Your Author Tagline aka The Mini Author Bio:

Your author tagline is a succinct one-sentence biography that is focused and direct. It serves as the most targeted description of you as an author, conveying only the essentials. Think of it as your elevator pitch.

The author tagline should omit any irrelevant or personal details. Avoid mentioning where you went to school, your pets, or your residence unless directly related to your writing focus.

Here are 4 tips on creating an author tagline:

1. Make your tagline simple and only focus on the main message you want to convey.
2. Drill in your value and benefit. 
3. Keep the buzz words out. Words like “out of the box” or “game-changer” are overdone.
4. Say no to cliches!

Writing Your Short Author Bio:

Your short author bio spans between 50-100 words and serves a multifaceted purpose. This bio finds its place on your book, social media profile, Amazon book page, and within your author press kit.

The 50 to 100 words in this bio should remain focused on pertinent details about you as the author. Refrain from sharing information about where you went to school, your hobbies, or family unless these details directly relate to your book or genre.

Writing Your Long Author Bio:

Your long author bio extends between 150-250 words, providing a bit more room for personal details. However, it’s crucial to remember that this is not an essay and still requires a compact presentation with only relevant information.

Here is a list of the main items to include in your author bios:

1. Demonstrate your authority and credentials on your book subject
2. Include things that build credibility or are interesting to your target reader
3. Mention any other books you have written
4. Keep it short and interesting
5. Try and relate to your target reader

Each of your bios should establish a connection with your target audience and showcase your authority and credibility to the reader. Crafting an author bio can be challenging for everyone (myself included!). It often stands out as the most demanding aspect of the book marketing and publicity process. If you sense that something is lacking in your bios, seek feedback from a few friends.

How To Write Your Three Book Descriptions:

Your book cover and description are pivotal in selling your book. People are drawn to a book based on the cover and decide to make the purchase if the description is compelling. In your author book press kit, make sure to include three types of book descriptions:

• The book’s tagline (25-50 words)
• The short book description (100-200 words)
• The long book description (200-300 words)

Your descriptions need to share the following:

• Hook: The hook is what will grab the reader and make them take notice
• Pain: Where you relate the pain, unsolved problem, or challenge in your book to your target reader. 
• Pleasure: This is where you tell the reader what they will uncover in your book. 
• Legitimacy: This simply lets the reader know why they should read your book. 
• Open-loop format: This is where you add some mystery where you give the reader a glimpse into a secret your book will share.

When writing your book descriptions, you want to insert the reader into the story where they see a connection between themselves and the characters. When done right, this creates an emotional connection by describing how the book will make the potential reader feel after reading it.

Add Your Contact Information to Your Press Kit For Authors

You’ll want to make sure that your contact information is obvious and easy to find on your author press kit. Contact information includes links to websites, social media accounts, and email addresses. Here is a list of the contact information you’ll want to include in your press kit:

• Links to all your book’s social media channels
• Links to your author website
• Your book publicist’s contact information
• Your publisher’s contact information
• Your personal author contact information 

Adding Your Book’s Information to Your Press Kit

You’ll want to include your book’s information or metadata on the first page of your press kit. This information should be the first thing a person sees when reviewing your press kit. Here is a list of items you should include:

• Cover Image
• Full title (and title of the series if applicable)
• Page count
• Genre
• Publisher (if published through an indie press)
• Publication date
• ISBN
• Available formats
• Links where you can buy the book

Including a Sample Author Q&A in Your Press Kit

Your author press kit should include a page with 6 to 10 pre-written questions and your concise answers, ranging from 2 to 4 sentences. Craft questions based on your target readership, covering aspects like your background, inspiration for writing the book, choice to self-publish, and future projects.

Adding Q&As to your press kit is incredibly helpful for the media and bloggers seeking ready-made content, streamlining their coverage of your book.

Adding Current Book Reviews, Endorsements, and Testimonials to Your Author Press Kit

Reviews, endorsements, and testimonials carry more weight than self-promotion. Therefore, your press kit should feature a section highlighting the commendations your book has received. If you don’t have any yet, don’t worry – you can add them as you collect them over time.

Including Quotes in Your Press Kit

You should also incorporate quotes directly from your book and from yourself as the author. These bite-sized quotes can be shared on social media or included in articles. Aim for three quotes from your book and three from yourself. Select quotes that resonate with readers who haven’t read your book yet.

Including Author Photos

Love it or hate it, include a few author photos in your press kit. Readers and the media want to connect a face to your writing. Use the same photo across all platforms for consistency. When getting your author photo taken, ensure a clean background, avoid props, and pay attention to lighting. Remember, the media prefers a simple headshot.

Here are list of items to consider when getting your author photo taken:

• Don’t wear a hat
• Make sure your background is clean and straightforward
• Don’t use a photo taken at a party or on vacation
• Don’t hold any props
• Pay attention to lighting and make sure there is no shadow across your face

Remember, the media just wants a simple headshot. 

Adding a Book Excerpt to Your Press Kit

While not mandatory, providing a sample or excerpt of your book gives the media a taste of your writing style. You can include the full excerpt in your press kit or provide a link to it. Many authors publish the first chapter on their website and link to it in their press kit. Sharing an excerpt helps the media generate interview ideas and may lead to online visibility through publication on their website.

Remember Your Author Press Kit Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

Journalists, bloggers, influencers, and the media need a book press kit to simply share the information they need  write about you and your book. Once your book press kit for authors is ready, make it accessible on your website and attach it to all media-related emails.

Need help creating your author press kit? Feel free to contact me for a free consultation. With experience in crafting hundreds of author press kits, I’d love to help you create yours.