The Insecure Writers Support Group
It’s another first Wednesday of the month when all the IWSGers post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG, then please check out our IWSG Sign-up tab here and join up. A big thank you to our co-hosts for this month's posting: Tamara Narayan, Tonja Drecker, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Lauren @ Pensuasion, Stephen Tremp, and Julie Flanders!
A new feature we’ve introduced here at the IWSG is a question each month. The big question for this month: What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?
Writing Wednesday
Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my journey from writing to publication, marketing and writing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. If you have any tips please share them with us…
Media Kits
Once you become a published author you have no idea who may be stalking visiting your website. If a member of the media visits looking for information on you and/ or your book what will they find? Professional bloggers should have media kits too.
- Does your site appear professional?
- Do you have up to date blog posts and current information?
- Is the site easy to navigate?
- Is your contact information easy to find? It is so frustrating when you want to contact someone and can’t find their email address. Contact forms can be frustrating too. You should definitely list an actual email address. If you aren’t comfortable with that start an email account specifically for your website.
- Do you have an easily accessible media kit?
- Your media kit should be easy to find on your website and should include:
- 2 author bios. 1 long (500-750 words) and 1 short (200 words or less)
- Include several current and professionally done author photos, (350 dpi.) All of the photos do not all have to be headshots.
- If you have any early reviews include a few lines from the best ones.
- Any writing or blog awards
- Sample interview questions and answers (3 or 4)
- Links to podcasts of TV or radio interviews you have done. If you don’t have any, have a friend interview you and create a video.
- A press release
- Complete contact information for you, your publicist and/ or your publisher
It took you months or maybe even years to write your book. You put a lot of time, talent and love into your blog so it is a good idea to spend at least a few days working on your media kit and also a good idea to have your editor look it over.
Answer to the #IWSG question of the month- My first piece of writing was a historical fiction novel. I am still in love with the story and am considering retrieving it from the damp, dusty basement container its been stuck in for 30+ years, soon.
Happy writing,
Doreen
15 thoughts on “Media Kits and Insecure Writers…”
Those are great tips on a media kit. Will have to keep it in mind. I think you should definitely retrieve that novel. But don’t be too hard on yourself.
I definitely dealt with a learning curve working on my first media kit. Since, I’ve made up a template. I’m much happier and more organized now. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Great tips on media kits. It’s your portfolio and something you should spend time on making as good as you can.
Great tips on the media kit Doreen and so timely for me. I have been asked for one and I don’t have one! I’m off to start putting it together now. Thanks! #midlifemegaphone
Great tips on media kits. I don’t have one but know I should. My book? Haven’t touched it since NaNoWriMo, but that’s another story…
This is a fabulous reminder to update mine… and gear it toward writing, not blogging. Thank you so much, Doreen!!
Always good to have one. Great tips and advice, not sure people get how to do that.
Really useful information – I don’t have one but it is always good to have the basics before you need it – I’ll be bookmarking this 🙂
Good info on media kits. Thanks for the tips.
These are great tips. I have been meaning to put together a media kit for years but have never gotten around to it. At this point, I don’t know if I ever will!
I’ve never put together a media kit and probably won’t until the memoir is finished. I really don’t like doing video, but I see the point of sharing an interview. So much to do!!!
b
Thank you for the great info on media kits!
I think you should delve into that damp, dusty basement container and haul it out! You’ll look at it with new eyes and a different perspective (30 years later…)
Great advice for the website. Pull out that moldy, old novel and give it new life. Why not?
Mary at Play off the Page
What a great idea, Doreen! I work in media and it never occurred to me to have my own kit–d’oh. I appreciate this post so much.
You’re a smart cookie. 🙂
You absolutely need one!