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Essential Documents for Your Author Media Kit

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As an author (especially if you self-publish), having a media kit is critical so people can reach you when they’re preparing to interview you for their show or magazine article. Think about your media kit this way: it’s a business card on your website. By having a media kit, it shows you are a serious author and realize the importance of your book being a business. If there is an upcoming story relevant to your book, reporters and/or journalists need to find the information fast. When you and your book are ready, chances are you’ll land the interview.

In a previous blog, Peter discussed why it’s important to have a media kit and why you should care. Today, I’m going to provide a list of the important documents to include in your media kit.

Media Kit Essentials

  • Author bio
  • Author one sheet
  • Book cover photo
  • Author photo
  • Reviews, testimonials, endorsements
  • Press release(s)
  • Q&A sheet
  • Book excerpt
  • Information from previous media interviews/articles

While all of these documents are important, I’m going to focus on three today:

  • Author bio – This is your chance to present yourself the way you want people to see you. Keep your bio interesting and concise; aim for 100-200 words. It can be hard to write about yourself, but having a well-crafted bio helps readers learn more about what makes you and your book interesting. After you’ve written your bio, run it by a few colleagues or friends for feedback.
  • Author one sheet – Your one sheet is a great tool anyone can download from your media page; it’s designed as a user-friendly, quick read. People can skim it for the information they want. Some important items to include in your one sheet are: book title and cover, author name, any publishing details – formats, price, category, genre, ISBN, publication date – to name a few, book description, reviews, your short bio, and contact information.
  • Q&A sheet – I’ve been a guest on podcasts over the past year and one item I have found to have handy is a list of questions ready for the interviewer. Bloggers, podcast hosts, and journalists usually don’t read your book so help them out and provide a list of seven to ten questions they can review. Doing so, helps them know what direction the conversation can go.

If you’re putting your media kit together and would like some input or have questions, Peter and I are happy to have a chat.

Until next time,

Colleen

About Colleen Wietmarschen

From introverted child to successful businesswoman to triathlete at age 50, finished a duathlon at age 60, violin student at age 54, and completing a 300-mile bike challenge in 30 days, I aim to face any challenge with an open mind.

As a speaker, I enjoy conveying my vast wisdom of business experience; from running a quarter million plus business to restarting after 18 years, believe me, I've seen it all. I like to bring energy to every engagement and inspire the audience with stories interspersed with value-packed knowledge. I also enjoy being a guest on podcast interviews having lots of fun interacting with hosts and sharing information from restarting my business after 18 years to taking up challenges in my 50s, and more!

I love consulting clients and mentoring students inspiring them as they move to their next level - whatever it is for them.

My favorite quote is "Music Makes Us Human." Author Unknown.

20 Tasks to Understand, to Know, to Complete Before Publishing

Follow along with Colleen as she guides you through the 20 tasks all authors should understand, know, and complete before publishing their book. From the planning stages through marketing your book it is important you have a clear understanding on the process.

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