PRESS RELEASES: How to write them – Miss Write

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This is a template I have committed to memory for writing a press release. I won’t mind if you pinch it! I have written examples for how you might write a press release as a writer, but these are just suggestions. 

RELEASE DATE & AUTHOR

Write your name and the date of when you would like this to be printed on the top of the page. There is no guarantee this will be adhered to by the Editors, but you can help them by suggesting an appropriate timetable.

FOR EXAMPLE:  If your book tour starts on Monday 13th May, send the article out at least a week before, remembering to check if the publication is a quarterly/monthly/weekly/daily occurrence. Check any deadlines for submission.

HEADLINE

Something snappy – I am rapidly going off alliteration in headlines, but the more interesting you can make it the more likely the article will be read.

FOR EXAMPLE:  Local Writer To Visit Northampton’s Bookshops

SUMMARY

This is the main gist of the story.

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY HOW?????

FOR EXAMPLE:  Local writer Louise Gibney will be touring the book shops of Northampton this month promoting her debut novel, ‘Girl Meets Boys’.

DETAIL

Expand on the story outline here. Let the reader know a bit about you. Give the a summary of the book you’ll be promoting, or the blurb, here.

MORE DETAIL

When did the book get published? Do you have any impressive figures which show how popular your book’s been since it launched?

QUOTE

Just one!

Do you have any noted writers quoted on your book cover? Think wider than this too – who else recognisable and related to your genre could comment? For instance, I approached Match.com to get a quote for ‘Girl Meets Boys’, my internet age rom com. I was turned down, but asking doesn’t hurt and you might have everything to gain.

Try to get a quote from the book store manager saying how much they’re looking forward to supporting a local writer.

A quote from you isn’t bad either – something nice about the pleasure of meeting fans, supporting literature in your area, and shopping local at your independent bookshops (only if you’re touring indies!).