My last month has been a series of hotel rooms, hospitals, and airports between all my family members’ ill health, Reader.
And on a recent adventure in Portland, we got stuck in traffic because of…
The Cinco de Mayo festival (sponsored by Toyota!🛻).
Protesters on the overpass.
Then, well, who knows 🤷🏻♀️ the roads in Portland are like spaghetti 🍝 and we weren’t the only ones that seemed to be lost.
But I really didn’t mind because one of my favorite shows (Grimm) was filmed almost entirely in Portland. So I was playing Spot That Filming Location Bingo as my husband drove us all over the city.
Eventually, we made it to all the places we had to go that day (the VA & lunch). And finally we were headed to the one place I wanted to see—Powell Books. Portland’s most famous bookstore.
However, little did I know there was more than one Powell’s Books. And that my husband had navigated us to the smaller annex store instead of the famous main one that takes up a whole city block.
Either way, there was still plenty to look at, even at the smaller store. And we definitely walked away with a bag full of prizes.
In fact, I was able to snag a copy of something on my wish list. Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens.
And to my surprise, the book contained a press release from the publisher tucked into its pages. And not a crap photocopy fax either. A full-color poster-sized fancy one that must have come in a promo box.
So why am I bragging about my good fortune? Well, because I intend to share it with you, of course, Reader.
Here is everything you need to include to put out a new book press release just like the pros:
1) Your Publisher Logo (in the top left corner). This is also the little graphic/icon you see on the bottom of the spine of a book. Mine is a cat reading a book.
2) Below the logo is the phrase “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” This is always in all caps. Below that “On Sale:” then the date the book releases. For example: On Sale: May 12, 2025.
3) At the top across from that info, you have “Media Contacts.” These are individual members of the press who would contact for information about the book or to set up press events with the author. Since that’s probably you, Reader, just list your first and last name and email here.
4) Title and author name or Title graphic. If your cover employs a unique title graphic or font, you can utilize it here.
5) Next is your logline. That 1-2 sentence Netflix-style pitch about your book you use for marketing materials.
6) The next one is optional. As in, only include them if you have them. 1-3 short “blurbs,” also known as praise for your book. Basically, if you had advanced readers such a book bloggers or media reviewers.
7) This part is slightly weird if you’re running a solo operation, I’ll admit, because you have to talk about yourself in the third person. However, you basically say something to the effect of “you (the publisher) are excited/thrilled/whatever to be publishing the book. Then you showcase any accolades such as New York Times bestselling, or award-winning, etc.
This is also where you include the this-meets-that statement, which helps potential readers know if the book is for them. Like Wednesday meets Heartstopper or Bring It On meets Dead Like Me.
8) The full book description that will appear on your back cover, eRetailer listings, and your website, along with the book cover.
9) Your short bio that appears inside books along with your author photo. These are usually 1-2 short paragraphs so they can be printed on dust jacket flaps.
10) The important “at a quick glance” details always go at the bottom of the page so they are easy to spot. They’re in plain text and centered.
Title by Author name
Publisher | On Sale: DATE |(for youth the format is Ages #+, Grade #+) Adult
Hardcover ISBN: # $#.##
Paperback ISBN: # $#.##
And there you have it Reader, an easy-to-follow breakdown of a new book press release. Oh, and you can view the full-sized press release example here.
Well until next time, this is your friendly neighborhood storytelling Kat wishing you a wonderfully creative week.
Your cohort in storytelling,
Kat Vancil
🐱
PS 👉 In the near future I’ll be putting together a mini course on all the writing stuff storytellers dread most. 🙀
I’m of course talking about writing book descriptions, loglines, query pitches, and press releases. If this is on your list of dreaded struggles, join the waitlist.
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Sloan Fiffer | Editing & Writing Coaching
Sloan Fiffer
Hi! I'm a writer, editor, and writing coach. I help writers of fiction and non-fiction find their voice on the page and make their manuscripts better. I'm also a translator, language learner, and an estranged puppeteer & performer. I love sharing stories across borders of geography and form, and I love looking at what we can learn about writing from other arts & disciplines. |
