In just a few days, I have a book releasing into the world. YAY! The Gentleman Spy, book 2 in the Serendipity & Secrets series, will hit the shelves on the 28th of July.
Prior to its release, my publicist, Audra Jennings of Audra Jennings PR and I Read With Audra blog tours, has been hard at work preparing materials to help with spreading the word about the book. She's created graphics with pictures and quotes from the book, sales copy, and most importantly, she's created a press kit specifically for the book.
You might wonder what a press kit is, and what it contains...so I thought we'd delve into that topic today.
So, what is a press kit?
A press kit, often referred to as a media kit in business environments, is a pre-packaged set of promotional materials that provide information about a person, company, organization or cause and which is distributed to members of the media for promotional use. (Wikipedia)
I have a press kit on my website that is generic, about me and what I write rather than about a specific book.
I have all the information on a single page of my website, under the heading Media Guide. If you click here: https://www.ericavetsch.com/media-guide.html you can see that I include a brief bio, contact information, a quick Q&A, and information on my latest and upcoming releases.
From this page, a journalist could craft an article using the basic information provided, and/or could contact me if they wanted a more personal interview.
My publicist creates a press kit for each of my new books that looks a bit different, but accomplishes the same thing.
The Gentleman Spy's press kit contains the following:
A snappy headline.
A single paragraph that encapsulates the book (and includes the publisher, the ISBN number, and the price.)
A nearly page-long story description, including upcoming releases in the same series.
Endorsements for the book, the series, and/or the author.
An author bio.
A series of suggested interview questions related to the book.
Contact information to connect with the publicist for interviews.
A completed interview with answers at least two paragraphs long for each question.
Cover Art for the book
Social media contacts for the author.
As you can see, a press kit is loaded with information that a blogger, a journalist, or a radio/tv personality could use to craft an interview that would help spread the word about your book.
QUESTION: Have you used a press kit before? Either for promoting one of your books or for writing a blog post or other social media blurb?
Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she is married to her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.
You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her at online https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/
You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her at online https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/
where she spends way too much time!
On sale TODAY! The Lost Lieutenant is just $4.99 right now through August 9th for Kindle, Nook, and GooglePlay!
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-lieutenant-erica-vetsch/1134878778?ean=9780825476006
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Erica_Vetsch_The_Lost_Lieutenant?id=nO_RDwAAQBAJ
(Please note that as I post these links on Wednesday 7/22, the books are not yet on sale. They are supposed to go to $4.99 on Monday, 7/27, so please, double-check the price before you buy!)
This is a great post, Erica, lots of information that we need to know. I love your books and luckily I find some of them at my local WalMart a lot of times! Wishing you good luck on your latest, The Gentleman Spy!
ReplyDeleteKaren, that's great that you've found the books at Walmart!
DeleteI'm so jealous! Our Walmart's book selection is dismal. :-(
DeleteHi, Karen! I'm glad you found the post helpful!
DeletePress kits!
ReplyDeleteThat is something every author and aspiring author needs to have in their arsenal, Erica.... To know how to sell ourselves, even when we don't want to sell ourselves is a crucial part of the game/business. I don't think most of us like/love it, but it's a necessary means to a productive end.
Well done, my friend!
Ruthy, I think you're right. I do NOT love trying to sell myself. I don't want people to think I'm being pushy. But then I see other people doing it and don't think they're pushy. So I should quit worrying so much! :)
DeleteRuthy, it is SO uncomfortable for many authors, so having the know-how to throw together a press kit helps you get the information out without too much angst!
DeleteErica, this is so helpful! I appreciate you sharing what your publicist has done for you. It's nice to see what a pro does!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about your new book! I love this cover, too! I'm even more excited that I'm finally going to get a chance to read The Lost Lieutenant! It's one of my vacation reads. :)
LOL, you should have set a limit on exclamation points for me today. ;)
DeleteMissy, NEVER limit your exclamation points in blog comments!!! :)
DeleteErica, I just added a press kit to my website. It's nice to have everything I need in one place.
ReplyDeleteMindy, this post reminded me to check out my media stuff. I'm not even certain if I included it on my new website! I must go look.
DeleteLOL. Nope I took that off. I think because I never did update it. :)
DeleteIsn't that handy? I love being able to refer people to my press kit instead of having to recreate everything from scratch each time!
DeleteVery interesting. Congratulations 🎈
ReplyDeleteLucy, we're glad you stopped by!
DeleteHi, Lucy! :)
DeleteFirst of all, I loved The Lost Lieutenant and can't wait to read The Gentleman Spy!
ReplyDeleteI'm indebted to Revell's publicity team for putting together great materials for each of my book releases! But I do have a general media kit section on my website, too. Although after taking a peek at yours, I can see where I can tweak some things to make it better!
First priority: Update it! That's the one page that I forgot to update with information about my fall release!
And I think I might have used more exclamation points than Missy. Is there a contest?
Jan, I've been bad about updating mine as well.
DeleteIt can be easy to forget to update. Perhaps I should put it on my quarterly to-do list, to check and update as necessary. :)
DeleteAnd there is NOT a limit to exclamation points! :)
Erica, congratulations on your new release!! I'm putting a press kit on my "must have" list. The day will come when I will need one. Thank you for the advice!
ReplyDeleteYes, Pat!
DeleteYes, Pat, start now, so that when you need one, you'll be all ready! You'll be ahead of the game!
DeleteErica, I do have a press kit on my website but it is bare bones and totally out of date. Thanks for the nudge - Updating it is moving up near the top of my to-do list.
ReplyDelete:) You'll have to let us know when it's done, so we can pop by! :)
DeleteWinnie, me, too. Not now, but I used to. And it got so out of date I deleted it. Now I need to go set it up again.
ReplyDeleteMary, I did the same when I had my website redesigned.
DeleteWe should have a press kit shareathon when we all get them updated and tidy! :)
DeleteErica, This is one of the things on my to-do list for quite some time, and now I have a concise list of what to include. Thanks for the info and the reminder that I really need to get this done!
ReplyDeleteTanya, I found the list very helpful too!
DeleteErica's example is great, too. Be sure to use the link to check it out on her website!
DeleteI'm so glad you found the post helpful! I love paying it forward since I received so much help and information from Seekerville through the years. :)
DeleteOne other thing I do (sometimes) is find the links to the book on Amazon, barnes and noble and Christian book distributors and save those links. I find I need them often, on blog posts for example, and I have to go three places to gather them. And also, sometimes they are so LONG they don't make blogs happy, so I then you to tinyurl.com and make shortened links and save those too. I often save them in an email I send to myself. It's a fast way to get the links...unless of course you LOSE the email and have to do it all again. (why does that sound like something I'd do???)
ReplyDeleteMary, I use bitly.com to make mine. It'll save them so you can go back and get them. I can also make them for specific sites (like my website, or my newsletter, so I know where clicks are coming from).
DeleteGreat tip, Missy!
DeleteYes! So helpful. I use bitly.com, too!
DeleteAre we really just days from the Gentleman Spy??? I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTomorrow, Mary! :)
DeleteErica, great post! Just as many have mentioned, I, too, need to update my website. Thanks for providing the perfect how-to for setting up a press kit!
ReplyDeleteLove your new cover! Congrats!
Thank you, Debby. I think we should do a group post when everyone gets their press page updated on their website! :)
DeleteI've loved reading all your comments, ladies! I've followed all of you with Seekerville for a long time so it's kinda like I "know" you all. You are all fantastic authors. Now, hurry up and go write more books, LOL
ReplyDeleteWe love having you as part of our community! :)
DeleteHey Erica - thanks for posting. I used press kits for special fundraising events when I worked in the non-profit sector and got used to writing my own PSAs. It's been a while though. :) I definitely to get one up on my website.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on ANOTHER fantastic regency! I'm waiting for THE Indebted Earl to be released now hahahahaha
:) Yay! You can use that expertise writing press kits for your stories!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the Regencies! :)
Thanks for the plug! Love working with you!
ReplyDelete