Call Us : (917) 410-4001Press Release Templates for Self-Published Authors
Key Takeaways
- A press release is worth writing when you have genuine news, a launch, an award, an event, or a timely angle.
- It follows a standard structure: headline, dateline, a strong lead, body, boilerplate, and contact info.
- Journalists skim, lead with the story and the angle, not “local author writes book.”
- Use the copy-and-paste template below, then tailor it to each outlet.
- Distribute to local media, niche outlets, bloggers, and your own channels, targeted beats spray-and-pray.
A well-written press release can earn your book media coverage, interviews, and credibility you can’t buy. A bad one gets deleted in two seconds. The difference is knowing what journalists actually want: real news, a clear angle, and an easy-to-use format. Here’s when a press release is worth your time, how to structure one, a template you can copy, and where to send it.
When a Press Release Is Worth Writing
Press releases work when you have actual news. Good reasons to write one:
- A book launch, especially with a hook (a striking theme, a milestone, a cause).
- An award or recognition, a win or finalist placement is newsworthy.
- An event, a signing, reading, or launch party, useful for local media.
- A timely angle, your book connects to a current trend, season, or news story.
- A local hook, “local author” stories still land with community outlets.
If there’s no angle beyond “I wrote a book,” hold off, work the angle first. (For where a release fits in the bigger picture, see your 90-day launch timeline.)
Press Release Structure and Required Elements
Journalists expect a familiar format. Include, in order:
- “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” at the top.
- Headline, punchy and newsworthy (and a subhead if helpful).
- Dateline, city, state, and date.
- Lead paragraph, the who/what/when/where/why in the first two sentences.
- Body, the story, a quote from you, and relevant details (2–3 short paragraphs).
- Book details, title, format, price, ISBN, and where to buy.
- Boilerplate, a short “about the author” paragraph.
- Contact info, your name, email, and phone.
- Ending, “###” centered to mark the end.
Your Press Release Template (Copy & Paste)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Newsworthy Headline About Your Book]
[Optional subhead with the angle or hook]
[City, State] — [Date] — [Lead paragraph: the news in 1–2 sentences, who you are, what the book is, why it matters now.]
[Body paragraph: more on the story and the angle.] “[A quote from you about why you wrote it or why it matters],” said [Author Name].
[Book details: Title, available in [formats] at [retailers], priced at [price], ISBN [number].]
About [Author Name]: [2–3 sentence author bio.]
Media Contact: [Name] · [Email] · [Phone]
###
Want media coverage without the guesswork?
Prime Publishing Hub writes and distributes professional author press releases and handles media outreach as part of your launch. Get a free marketing consultation.
Get a Free Marketing ConsultationWhere to Distribute Your Release
Targeted distribution beats blasting it everywhere. Focus on:
- Local media, your hometown paper, radio, and TV love local-author stories.
- Niche and genre outlets, blogs, podcasts, and publications that cover your topic or genre.
- Book bloggers and reviewers, many welcome a professional release alongside a review copy (see how to get book reviews).
- Your own channels, your website’s press/news page, email list, and social.
- Press release services, optional paid wires for wider (if less targeted) reach.
Personalize every pitch, address the journalist by name, reference their beat, and keep the email short with the release below or attached.
A Few Pitching Tips
- Lead with the angle, not “please cover my book.”
- Keep it to one page, journalists are busy.
- Make their job easy, include quotes, a cover image, and your contact details.
- Follow up once, politely, then move on.
How Prime Publishing Hub Helps
Prime Publishing Hub’s book marketing team writes professional, angle-driven press releases, builds targeted media lists, and runs the outreach, as part of a coordinated launch with your author brand, so you get coverage that actually drives readers, not just a file no one opens.
Ready to get noticed? Request a free quote or talk to our marketing team.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should an author write a press release?
What should a book press release include?
How do I write a press release for my book?
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Can Prime Publishing Hub write and distribute my press release?
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