How to Write a Book Press Release that Grabs Attention

• Sep 23, 2025
• 6 min read

• Tags: Book Marketing, Language, Writing Tips

Don’t let your hard work go unnoticed! A well-written press release can increase your chances of securing media coverage and reaching a wider audience. 

This guide will walk you through the essential steps and tools for crafting book press releases. Let’s start by learning about the key components of an impactful press release.

What is a book press release? 

A book press release is a short announcement to the media about a new book. It includes the book’s title, author, genre, date of publication, and an engaging book summary. Many book press releases also include the author’s background. Additionally, a photo of the author is uploaded to give a personal touch.

Several press releases also include a quote by the author or an engaging book review. They are written in simple language to help readers easily understand the text. 

Press releases are usually short and to the point. They typically follow an inverted pyramid structure, starting with the most important information (the “who, what, when, where, why, and how”) and then providing supporting details. 

The language used is clear and concise. Overly enthusiastic language, technical language, and jargon are avoided while writing a press release. 

How to write a book press release in six easy steps 

A good practice is to customize the press release for different media outlets. This includes modifying the headline and opening paragraph in line with the media outlet’s target audience. 

Read the following steps and strategies, and study some practical examples to write a press release!  

1. Start with an engaging headline

Your headline should be easy to understand and grab people’s attention. It should contain strong verbs, adjectives, and nouns. 

Some examples of attractive headlines are: 

• • Sarah Davis Shares Inspiring Journey from Adversity to Success in New Memoir
  • Emily Thompson: From Humble Beginnings to Successful Entrepreneur
  • Motivational Speaker Rachel Anderson Releases Debut Book on Overcoming Obstacles

You can use headline generators by Easy-Peasy.ai,  Free Title Generator by Semrush, etc., to brainstorm headlines. 

2. Craft a strong first paragraph 

You can use an intriguing question, an impactful quote, or a useful statistic to hook readers. Alternatively, you can also describe what the book is about in one engaging line.  The following are some examples: 

Example 1 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s fast-paced world? In her groundbreaking new book, “The Entrepreneurial Edge,” renowned business coach and author Sarah Thompson reveals the secrets that have helped countless entrepreneurs. 

Example 2 

“In a world where technology is advancing, it’s more important than ever to understand how it shapes our future.” This powerful statement by futurist and author Dr. Michael Chen sets the stage for his latest book, “The Tech Revolution”. 

Example 3 

A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that nearly 60% of employees experience work-related stress. In his new book, “The Zen of Work: Finding Balance in the Modern Workplace,” renowned psychologist Dr. Michael Lee offers practical strategies for reducing stress. 

Example 4 

“Thriving in Chaos: Finding Calm in the Storm” is the groundbreaking debut book by renowned psychologist Dr. Michael Chen. In this essential guide, Dr. Chen shares his pioneering research and proven strategies for developing mental and emotional strength. 

3. Give more details to create an attractive middle section 

In this section, mention the themes and unique elements of the book. Also, describe why the reader must read the book. You can also add bullet points to describe unique features. 

A good practice is to add quotes by the author to enrich the middle section. If the publishing house is very popular, you can also add quotes from the Vice President, CEO, or Senior Vice President of the book publishing company. 

Example 1 

In “Unbound,” Turner fearlessly explores the universal struggles of self-doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs that hold us back from reaching our full potential. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, scientific research, and practical exercises, she guides readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery. 

“Emily Turner’s ‘Unbound’ is a powerful and transformative book that will inspire readers to break through their limitations and achieve their wildest dreams,” says HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray. “We are thrilled to be publishing this remarkable debut and can’t wait for readers to discover the life-changing wisdom within its pages.”

Example 2 

“The Creativity Code” dives deep into the mysteries of the creative process, exploring: 

• • The neuroscience behind creativity and how to optimize your brain for innovation. 
  • Proven techniques for overcoming creative blocks and generating fresh ideas.
  • Inspiring case studies of successful innovators and their unconventional approaches. 

“Creativity is not just a gift reserved for a select few,” Davis says. “It’s a skill that can be cultivated and strengthened, and ‘The Creativity Code’ provides readers with the tools they need to tap into their inner genius.”

4. Include an author bio 

An author bio must be concise, ideally not more than 100-150 words. Some strategies to write an author bio are: 

• Begin your author bio with an interesting fact or achievement that immediately grabs attention. This could be a notable award, a previous bestseller, or an interesting personal detail that relates to the book’s theme.
• Focus on the author’s background and expertise that directly relate to the book’s subject matter. 
• If the author has published other books or articles, briefly mention the most notable ones. This helps establish the author as a credible and experienced writer in their field.

Here is an example: 

Winner of the Resilience Research Award from the American Psychological Association, Dr. Michael Chen has revolutionized the field of mental health with his groundbreaking research. A pioneering psychologist, Dr. Chen has shared proven strategies for developing mental and emotional strength in his debut book, “Thriving in Chaos”. His work has been published in leading scientific journals, including Psychological Science and the Journal of Positive Psychology. 

5. Give details about the publishing house (optional) 

If you’re signing a book publishing deal with a popular publishing house, you can give details of the publishing house. This can include details about what types of books the company publishes, any famous authors they’ve worked with, any awards the published authors have won, etc. 

Here is an example: 

About Harper Collins 

HarperCollins is one of the world’s largest and most respected publishing houses. It has a rich history of publishing influential books by renowned authors such as Brené Brown, Yuval Noah Harari, and Malcolm Gladwell. Many of these authors have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Nobel Prize.

6. Add contact information and a clear call to action 

This includes important information like the phone number and a contact number. You can mention these details towards the end of the press release. To make them stand out, you can make the details bold, using a different font size or separating them from the rest of the text with a line. 

To create a CTA, use strong action verbs like “pre-order,” “visit,” “request,” or “contact”. Also, ensure that your CTA includes all the links to take action. Also, consider providing a direct link to a pre-order page, your website, or contact details to enhance your CTA.

Here is an example: 

To book Sarah Davis for your next conference, meeting, or corporate engagement, visit  [email protected]

Media Contact:  [email protected] or 212-207-7100

Need more help? You can also explore AI press release generators by Hypotenuse AI, Originality.ai, Muck Rack, and Newsmatics. 

After understanding these press release tips, let’s see the best free book press release sites! 

Free book press release sites 

Free book press release sites allow you to add images and videos to your book press release. Many sites also enable you to share your press release on social media platforms. Additionally, some sites provide analytics to track the performance of your press release.

Some of the popular free book press release sites are: 

• PR.com 
• PR Fire 
• Free Press Release 
• PR Zoom 
• NewsWire Today 
• PR Sync 
• Free Press Release Center 
• PR Urgent 
• I-Newswire 
• Easy Newswire 
• PR Leap 
• PRLog 
• OpenPR 
• 24-7 Press Release 
• 1888 Press Release 

To select the best free book press release website, you need to consider many important factors. This includes the distribution reach, user-friendliness, additional features, and reputation. Plus, it’s essential to choose a user-friendly platform that distributes your press release to multiple outlets and offers features like SEO and analytics.

How long should a book press release be? 

While there’s no single “perfect” length, aiming for 300-500 words is generally a good length for book press releases. The exact length of the press release depends on the publication, the book’s complexity, and the author’s profile (whether the author is famous or not). 

It also depends on whether there is a newsworthy angle to the book’s release (e.g., a timely topic, a unique writing style, a significant award, or a tie-up with a famous book publisher).   

Book press release example 

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sarah Davis, a resilient entrepreneur and motivational speaker, has released her first book, “Overcoming Obstacles: A Story of Perseverance and Triumph.” The memoir, published by Blue Finch Press, shares Davis’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful business owner.

In her debut book, Davis offers a candid look into her early life, the lessons learned from her supportive family, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path to success. She shares her experiences navigating challenges, setbacks, and ultimate triumphs. 

“Writing this book has been a cathartic experience for me,” Davis shares.” I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to persevere through their own challenges and never give up on their dreams.”

Davis was recently honored with the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the Year” award at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit for her outstanding contributions to the business world. She currently serves as the President of the National Association of Women Business Owners and is a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences worldwide.

“Overcoming Obstacles” is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different stage of Davis’s life. The book is divided into three parts, chronicling Davis’s childhood challenges in a low-income family, her early adult struggles as a single mother and entrepreneur, and her journey to success and valuable lessons learned. The book is now available for purchase on Amazon and other major online retailers.

“Overcoming Obstacles: A Story of Perseverance and Triumph” is a powerful memoir that showcases the author’s extraordinary journey from adversity to success. It transcends personal challenges and societal barriers, making it a universal story of resilience and determination.

“Overcoming Obstacles: A Story of Perseverance and Triumph” is now available for pre-order on the Blue Finch Press website and will be officially released on November 21, 2024.

For more information about Sarah Davis and her debut book, please visit www.sarahdavisauthor.com.

To request a review copy or to schedule an interview with Sarah Davis, contact:

Emily Johnson

Publicity Manager

Blue Finch Press

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 555-123-4567

SOURCE Blue Finch Press

Book press release template 

Headline [Central-aligned] 

City, State, Date] – [A brief description of the book’s background, author’s name, publisher’s name, and book’s main theme in 1-2 sentences] 

[Describe the book’s key takeaways, unique elements, and lessons]: 

[Give quotes related to the book or publishing the book]: 

[Briefly explain what the book chapters include]: 

[Summarize the book’s key themes and what makes it special]: 

[Give contact details and a clear CTA]: 

[Include information about the publishing company- optional]: 

Mistakes to avoid while writing a book press release 

Typos and grammatical errors are some mistakes to avoid. Some other mistakes to avoid are vague and unclear language and forgetting to add contact information.  You must also avoid errors such as: 

1. Press releases that are too long (more than 500 words)
2. Boring, uninteresting headlines
3. No clear call to action 
4. Using complex, difficult language 
5. Not writing as per your target audience 
6. Forgetting important details like contact information. 
7. Not following the press release website or publication’s guidelines
8. Not providing interesting facts about your book
9. Not proofreading for mistakes. 

Why do you need a book press release? 

A press release for a book helps to generate publicity and interest among readers. It can also lead to media coverage, interviews, and reviews, which can increase your book’s visibility and credibility.

Moreover, press releases are distributed to various media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, online publications, and blogs. This increases the chances of your book being noticed by journalists, reviewers, and other influencers.

The following are three other reasons why book releases are useful: 

1. A press release can help establish your credibility as an author and show how your book is important. 
2. It can help persuade various stores to stock your book or feature it in their promotions.
3. Distributing press releases can help you gain a larger fan base. 

By effectively utilizing the tools and techniques in this guide, you can craft a compelling book press release. However, this can be a time-consuming task. To streamline the process, consider hiring a professional service to write your book press release.

At PaperTrue, we can help you craft the perfect press release for your book! With this, we also provide other self-publishing services like printing, creating a copyright page, and uploading your book to online distribution platforms. 

Interested in learning more about what we offer? Get in touch with us today! 

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.