As promised yesterday, here is the sample press release from Sunny, along with a few more tips to help your event get noticed in your local newspaper. TO: (insert editor's name) COMMUNITY NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Friends of the Library Host Local Author Local author Victoria Pitts-Caine will speak on January 15 at the Kings County Library, 401 N. Douty, Hanford. The event begins at 6:30 pm until 8 pm. Caine is the author of a Christian romance, Alvarado Gold. This is a free event. Refreshments will be provided by Friends of the Library. Books will be available for purchase and a book signing with the author will follow. This event kicks off the 2009 Local Authors Program conducted by the Kings County Library. The public is invited to enjoy an evening with authors who reflect the rich literary tradition of the San Joaquin Valley. For more information, contact Gail Lucas at 582-0261 ext. 104, or gail.lucas@kingscountylibrary.org Keep in mind that this release is typical f...

HAVE THEM EATING OUT OF YOUR HANDOUTS One of the complaints I often hear from authors is that they can't seem to get their signings and book info into the public eye through the local newspapers. I don't have that problem, and I have taught several organizations in my area a few ideas on how this is accomplished. I once was a lowly paid newspaper reporter. I remember days of looking for feature pieces to fill up the pages and make my editor happy. I also remember getting excruciating “press releases” from the public. Sometimes it was more work to rewrite them than to use them. Now I work with newspapers in 4 counties in my area, as well as TV and radio. I'm instrumental in putting together the local authors program for the local library, so PR is a must. I learned a lot of techniques while doing PR for the local Sisters in Crime group. Here are my methods: First, make a list of all media outlets in a 40 mile radius of the area where you will be speaking or signing. Call loc...

A common question on author loops is how best to approach newspapers when you have an event coming up or news of a release or award. While a lot of promoting is now done on the Internet, there are still times that an author has a need to contact a print newspaper. Tomorrow we will have a guest to pass on some valuable tips for getting attention in local newspapers. Sunny Frazier has considerable experience on both sides of this promotional coin, both receiving and sending press releases. She has worked for newspapers and handled PR for libraries and her local Sisters In Crime chapter. The second post from Sunny will be a sample press release. In addition to the tips that Sunny will offer tomorrow, I want to offer something that has worked well for me in regard to press releases. For the small town papers I send a press release that is basically the story. I also include a headshot, picture of my cover, and a one-page sheet of info about me and the book. When I had my book launch and d...