Jen's Writing Journey

Do you have a press kit?

I didn’t until recently, even though, as a working journalist, I know how essential an online press kit is to the media. So, I pulled mine together and posted it today. It is a work in progress, and I intend to continue adding more to it as needed.

What are the basic components of an online press kit?

• Bio: Use an inverted pyramid when writing your bio. Include the essentials in the first few sentences, then move into your qualifications, writing history, and education.
• Samples: Link to your favorite writing samples. If you cover multiple topics, consider grouping them to make it easy for the media and potential readers to find what they are looking for.
• Photos/Book Covers: Include low-resolution web graphics as well as links to download high-resolution images suitable for print.
• Reviews: If you have book reviews from Amazon, blogs, or print media, include them here.
• Media Coverage: Have you been interviewed anywhere? Add it here, even if it isn’t posted online.
• Other Files: If you have a bookmark or a press flier, post a PDF.
• Social Media Links: Have fan page of Facebook? Are you an active user of Twitter? Include it.
• Contact Information: Don’t forget to give writers and editors a way to get in touch with you. Don’t feel pressured to put your home mailing address or phone number on the web, but consider getting a post office box and a business line so you can include multiple methods of contact.

Are there any other key components you have included in your press kits? Or cool things you’ve seen in other authors’ media sections? Post links to your own press kit and cool ones you found in the comments.

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