Author and Book Media Kit Components - What Should You Include?

July 9, 2008

Today let’s very briefly go over some common components of the author (or book) media kit - in other words, what you should include. While most of these will work for a hard copy media kit / press kit, let’s focus on online author media kits (those in newsroom formats on your website or downloadable .pdf files).

Author Media Kit Components - Essential

• An author bio
• A published book list (titles, cover images, brief summary, publisher, ISBN, etc.)
• Media contact info (who journalists should contact with questions or interview requests)
• An author photo (high resolution)
• Past press mentions, interview credits, etc.
• Endorsements / testimonials from people the media will care about
• Latest press release (maybe a news release for your latest book launch, an upcoming speaking engagement, etc. - these are better suited for newsroom format, as you can include the full archive linked that way and it’s always up-to-date)

Author Media Kit Components - Optional (but good to have)

• More detailed book info (especially if you have a new release)
• Suggested interview questions (not all journalists that want to interview you will read all of your books or fully understand everything you were hoping to convey - include example questions they could ask you during an author interview, which they can tailor to their own use)
• Frequently asked questions (if you’re asked the same questions constantly, include them, and your answers, in the media kit to save everyone time)
• An excerpt from one or more of your books, or a longer synopsis
• Sales figures (especially for past books)
• Info on your target market / readers (who reads your books? who buys your books? why? This info helps a journalist know if you appeal to their own target audience.)

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