Essential of a Press Kit

The Essential Components of an Author Press Kit
© 2009 Theresa Harvard Johnson

Author Press kits are made up of several basic, yet essential components. They contain elements that are strikingly different from a press kit for a business or ministry. Without these essential items your press kit, especially to the media, is considered incomplete and unprofessional.

Those basic items should include:

• A simple one page bio of the author
• A professional photo of the author
• A simple one page press release announcing the book (Most recent press release)
• A business card
• A schedule of book signings, media appearances and speaking engagements
• A published book list (Book cover images, titles, brief summaries, publisher information, ISBNs, etc.) If you have only published one book, then develop a sheet about that one book.

Again, please note that this information can be presented in multiple formats. It is not always necessary to have a separate sheet for book signings AND a published book list for example. If the author has only published one or two books, a single sheet can be designed in a flyer format that lists upcoming appearances and book signings in a pleasant format that fits on a single page. On the same note, an author may choose to combine his or her photo with the bio page.

Your press kit design can take many turns. You can choose a traditional press kit look and feel, or follow the current trend presentation trends which focus more on efficiency and effectiveness. {jcomments on}