Discussions

When a producer or editor expresses interest in your book, you often have a very short window—sometimes minutes—to provide them with the materials they need to book you. A messy, incomplete, or hard-to-access submission can kill the opportunity instantly. Smith Publicity recommends that every author have a professional, digital press kit (EPK) ready to go at a moment's notice to facilitate easy coverage.

The first essential component is a high-resolution book cover. This image will appear on websites, in magazines, and on screen during television interviews. It must be a professional file (usually a JPEG or PNG at 300 DPI), not a blurry photo taken with a phone or a low-res thumbnail grabbed from Amazon. Alongside this, you need a high-quality author headshot that conveys professionalism and approachability. The media needs to see who they are interviewing.

Second, you need a compelling, professionally written press release. This document should summarize the book, highlight its unique selling points, and provide the publication details (ISBN, price, release date). It serves as the foundation for any book publicity pitch, giving journalists the "who, what, where, when, and why" in a concise, standard format. It should be written in the third person and be free of hyperbole; facts sell better than fluff.

Third, include a suggested Q&A (Questions and Answers). This is a list of interesting, provocative questions about your book and your scripted answers to them. Busy interviewers and podcast hosts often use these documents to structure their segments. By providing good questions, you guide the interview toward the topics you want to discuss and ensure you look smart. It makes the interviewer's job easier, which makes them like you more.

Fourth, provide a list of talking points or "story angles." These are short, punchy bullet points that summarize the key themes or controversial ideas in the book. They are incredibly useful for producers who need to create on-screen graphics or write introductions for anchors. Instead of asking them to read the whole book to find a hook, you hand them the hook on a platter.

Fifth, include review blurbs or endorsements. Social proof matters immensely. If other authors, industry experts, or early reviewers have praised your work, list those accolades prominently. It reassures the media contact that your book is of high quality and that other respected voices have already validated it.

Having these five elements—images, press release, Q&A, talking points, and endorsements—organized and ready ensures you look professional. It removes friction for the media, making it easy for them to say "yes" to covering your work. In a fast-paced industry, being easy to work with is a major competitive advantage.

Call to Action To ensure your press materials meet industry standards, reach out to Smith Publicity. https://www.smithpublicity.com/