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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.)

Related posts:

1. Book Marketing Author Interview: Tammy Powley
2. Why Author PR can be more Important than Book PR
3. Example Media Advisory for a Book Publicity Event
4. Book Marketing Author Interview: Dee Power
5. Build Buzz With This Book Launch Press Release Template

About the Author: Jennifer Mattern

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Jenn Mattern is a professional blogger and freelance business writer. She owns All Freelance Writing as well as several other sites and blogs covering PR, small business, and related topic areas. She is also currently writing a nonfiction book for freelance writers called The Query-Free Freelancer, and is the author of the Web Writer's Guide e-book series.