News Flash: You Can Get Your Book in the News
Several of my subscribers wrote to me, saying they would like to know how one goes about getting an article that features you and your book into the local or regional news. It’s not that hard to do when you know how to do it.
I’ve worked for three different newspapers in the past, so I’ve seen firsthand what goes on behind the scenes. The smaller the paper, the greater the chance of getting your story featured.
There is some planning involved, however. You can’t just call or email the newspaper and say, “I’ve published a book, so please come over right away and interview me.” You’ll need something more—something newsworthy that the locals can take part in—to draw the attention of reporters.
For example, an activity you’re hosting at the library. You need an event, and libraries need to offer free activities. What sort of activities? A book signing alone probably will not be enough. Unless, of course, you’re having a book signing and a dozen other authors will be attending and signing along with you. Or even just one other author will be attending, but it’s a best-selling author, someone pretty well known. People love free events such as lectures, workshops, and readings. Of course your event doesn’t have to be at the library. It can be wherever you like.
Here are some ideas for newsworthy events:
• You’ve written a middle-school novel and you’re giving a free reading at the public elementary school. It’s about a kid who races sailboats, so after the reading, you’re going to teach the children how to make a paper boat that actually floats.
• You’ve written a nonfiction book about horse ownership, and you’ll be at the local stables to talk about the basics of horse care.
• You’ve written a novel about pretty much anything, and you’re hosting a wine-and-cheese gathering at a local wine bar, where you’ll do a reading and then answer general questions about the self-publishing process, or writing craft, or something more specific that has to do with your book.
• You’ve written a memoir about how you survived a traumatic relationship, and you’re hosting a lecture at the community center, where you’ll do a reading and talk about healing and where to seek help.
At all of these events, you’ll make your books available for purchase, and you can offer to sign them as well.
Once you have planned your event, you will write a press release, which is a very basic, three- to four-paragraph article. It will be a simple press release because all you want to impart is that you’re hosting an event, the specifics of date, time, location, why you are the person to lead the event, and how the publication can get in touch with you if they would like more information.
Here is what you need broken down. A sample press release follows:
1) The words FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE in the top right- or left-hand corner. Underneath that, your name (you are the person to contact for more information). Underneath your name, your phone number, and then your email address. Why the contact information? It’s possible the newspaper will put the information pertaining to your event on a community calendar, or they may run your press release word for word, or they may start with the release, then call you on the phone and bulk up the story a bit by doing a quick interview with you. If they’re really interested, they’ll do a full-blown feature. If that is the case, they’ll get in touch with you for an interview and a photographer.
2) A catchy headline. News people see the same things over and over again, so try to make it interesting. Don’t go overboard. This isn’t prime time news, but do put some effort into it.
Dream of Publishing Your Novel? Local Author to Share Know-How
3) An interesting opening sentence. Avoid being too straightforward (for example, Kim Catanzarite will talk about the process of self-publishing at a free event at the library on September 15 … is correct but dull). If you can get creative, you will likely do a better job of catching someone’s eye. You also need to get the pertinent info into this paragraph. Who, what, where, and when the event will take place:
Do you have a novel manuscript collecting dust in your desk drawer? Well, you might want to brush it off. Local author Kim Catanzarite is hosting an Ask the Author event at the Burlington Library from 6 to 7 p.m. on September 15, 2021.
4) The body of the story. Provide a few paragraphs that give further, interesting details of the event and who you are. You may add a quote or two, in case the paper decides to use your release as a quick article or blurb instead of writing one from scratch. See my example below.
5) Photos. When you send your press release to the local newspapers, you can attach files of your author photo and book cover image. In your press release, you’ll simply write “Images attached.”
6) Determine the best reporter/editor to send it to. It may be a person or it may be a generic email address (such as pressreleases@theburlingtonnews.com) and that’s okay.
Finally, be sure to have someone take photographs at the event so you can post about it on social media and use the images to promote your next event.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kim Catanzarite
Author of Book Title
(555) 555-5555
kim@authorkimcatanzarite.com
DREAM OF PUBLISHING YOUR NOVEL?
Local Author to Share Know-How
City, State—Do you have a novel manuscript collecting dust in your desk drawer? Well, you might want to brush it off. Local author Kim Catanzarite is hosting an Ask the Author event at the Smalltown Library from 6 to 7 p.m. on September 15, 2021.
After helping hundreds of other writers fulfill their publishing dreams, Kim Catanzarite has come out with a novel of her own. Titled THEY WILL BE COMING FOR US, her sci-fi thriller about a Russian adoptee who marries into an unusual family that’s obsessed with her pregnancy has received positives reviews from Kirkus, BlueInk, and many others. It also won an Honorable Mention in the Readers’ Favorites Award contest.
Catanzarite’s editorial career began in the 1990s at Bergen County’s Ridgewood News, where she was a copyeditor. Later she became a book editor at Creative Homeowner Press, publisher of how-to home improvement books in Saddle River. She also worked at The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C.
“I knew I wanted to write, so I made sure I had a job that allowed me to practice my writing and editing skills,” she says.
Currently, Catanzarite offers her editing services via platforms like Reedsy and Bublish, and freelances for independent authors. She also teaches online courses for Writer’s Digest University and shares her self-publishing experience in the form of a blog (www.authorkimcatanzarite.com/blog). “I’m excited to touch base with the community and share my self-publishing knowledge with anyone who has written or plans to write a book,” she says.
Catanzarite encourages writers to bring their editing and publishing questions to the library during this free event.
Images attached: Author photo, book cover
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Kim Catanzarite is a writer, editor, and instructor for Writer’s Digest University. Her sci-fi thriller, They Will Be Coming for Us, published June of this year to strong positive reviews. She is currently planning an event at a local venue.
Buy They Will Be Coming for Us
