I would like to write a Press Release regarding my new book.

Does anyone have a "sample" of what they say....or perhaps advice on what NOT to say?

There are so many companies that send press releases, does anyone have a good experience with one particular company?

Also, any horror stories that may be helpful to know about?


Thankssssss!

Teresa

Teresa,
For starters, do a simple google on "press releases" and you will probably get MORE information than you bargained for...

JJ

Teresa,
I'm thinking I need to say a little more regarding how important everything you're beginning to do can be to your book, and your first impression to the world. It simply is. I'm sure you've always heard that when you're interviewing, first impressions count.

If you've ever gone to buy a house, there again, when you drove up, the first impression could very well of made it a "yes" or a "no" right off the bat.

Given this, I think it would be in your best interest to get Carolyn Howard-Johnson's book, The Frugal Book Promoter. It is the A-Z of book promoting and there are so many things you can be doing NOW. Carolyn tells you exactly how to do them, and sites a bazillion resources in the book to help you do your research.

Writing the story/book/article, whatever, is only the tip of the iceberg. Marketing is, or can be, a full time job. The more you are prepared BEFORE the book comes out, the better off you are. There are samples of press releases in it, query letters, and on and on.

If you were a carpenter, wouldn't you want to own a hammer? You are a writer and need the right/write tools to help you do a great job. I think everyone on this board will agree with me that Carolyn's book is your best starting point. That and doing research on google.

I hope this advice help! JJ

I totally agree with JJ Teresa....Carolyn's book has it all. The best tool in this writing business is "education" and of course the internet has TONS of resources - Carolyn's book will save you a lot of time in that she's packed a lot of useful information in one place.

There are a lot of writers websites on the internet too and whatever you might need in the way of specific information on agents, publishers, queries, etc. is "out there". Thank heavens for search engines! It's how a LOT of us educated ourselves enough to begin this journey without totally tripping over our own feet.

Again - I "second" JJ's suggestion to get Carolyn's book - it's DEFINITELY a "keeper" and you will refer to it a LOT as time goes by.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks Ladies! I will certainly purchase her book!

I had some time this morning so I have been exploring different search engines trying to get ideas.

I appreciate your advice!

Teresa

Teresa, I would have added my contribution but my publicist did all of this so I'm clueless. Something you might want to do though for upcoming radio/phone interviews is create a Crib Sheet. This is questions you might want them to ask you during the interview and you can tell the radio hosts that haven't read your book because they will use only the Crib Sheet. Whatever works to get the book and your name out there. Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

Perfect idea Dianne! Thank you!

I have been doing alot of research on press releases. Trying to keep it to 500 words or less is impossible but I'm trying.

One would think that if I can write a book, certainly I can write a press release. I don't know why this makes me so nervous but it does.

Of course I have a couple of weeks before I submit it.......so practise makes perfect!

Teresa :-)

Hi Teresa, you can go to my web site and click on the press release. This was written by the promo dept at Authorhouse. I'm sure others have press releases on their sites too. LLL

Hi Lynn!

You choose a great publisher........I also choose Authorhouse. So far, they have been wonderful.

Teresa

Hi Teresa,

Feel free to view my press release here:
http://www.sabrarobinson.com/VOR_Press_Release_2005.html

OR

go here for a website dedicated to press release writing: http://www.pressreleasehelp.com

They even provide samples.

Hope this helps.