Book Press Release Example: How to Write + Template (2026)
Looking for a book press release example you can actually learn from? This guide includes scored examples for nonfiction, memoir, and debut launches, a step-by-step process for how to write a press release for a book, and a free downloadable author press release template.
TL;DR
- - "I wrote a book" is not news — find a timely hook that connects your book to a current trend or audience need
- - Always include the Book Details block: title, author, publisher, ISBN, page count, price, and where to buy
- - List specific retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, indie bookstores) — not just "available everywhere"
- - Include endorsement quotes from notable reviewers or authors if you have them
- - Send 3-4 weeks before launch date to give media time to plan reviews and features
- - Self-published authors should lead with the story hook, not the publishing method
- - Find a keyword people actually search for using free tools like Google Keyword Planner, then optimize your headline and lead for it — press releases that rank in search drive long-term traffic, and the best backlinks are the ones that get clicks
What Is a Book Press Release?
A book press release is a formal announcement sent to journalists, reviewers, and media outlets to publicize a new book release. It follows AP style formatting and uses the inverted pyramid structure — the most newsworthy information first — so editors and reviewers can quickly decide whether to cover it. Book press releases are distributed through wire services like PR Newswire and Business Wire, and are used by traditional publishers, indie presses, and self-published authors alike.
What makes a book press release different from a standard press release is the structured Book Details block. In addition to the headline, dateline, lead paragraph, quotes, and boilerplate, a book press release includes these unique attributes:
- Book title — the full title and subtitle, in italics or quotes per AP style
- Author name and credentials — full name, relevant expertise, previous publications, or public recognition
- Publisher — the publishing house or "independently published" for self-published titles
- ISBN — the International Standard Book Number (essential for bookstores and libraries to order)
- Genre — the category or genre (e.g., literary fiction, business nonfiction, memoir)
- Release date — the official publication date
- Page count — total number of pages
- Price — retail price for the primary format (hardcover, paperback, or ebook)
- Where to buy — specific retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, or the author's website)
- Endorsements — blurbs from recognized authors, reviewers, or industry figures
This block is typically formatted as a bulleted list placed after the quotes section so journalists and booksellers can extract the purchasing details at a glance. Whether you are a first-time author looking for an author press release example or a publisher announcing a major title, the structure stays the same.
Book Press Release Examples
The best book press releases lead with the author's story or credentials, not just the fact that a book exists. Below are three real book press release examples — covering nonfiction, memoir, and debut launches — each scored on our six criteria. Use these as a sample book press release to model your own.
David Sequino & Bill Lattin: “Cybersecurity Pioneers Launch New Book 'Trust on the Edge' to Help Leaders Navigate Rising Risks in Global Connected Infrastructure”
SAN FRANCISCO, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/
As connected devices become critical to vehicles, healthcare systems, and power grids, industry veterans David Sequino and Bill Lattin have released 'Trust on the Edge: The New Front Line in IoT Cybersecurity.' The book provides a strategic framework for C-suite executives in automotive, defense, energy, and healthcare, drawing on the authors' combined 40 years in cryptography and embedded systems security.
Why this works
- ✓Headline positions authors as 'pioneers' — establishes credibility before naming the book
- ✓Lead connects the book to a real-world problem (IoT security in vehicles, healthcare, power grids) making it newsworthy beyond just 'new book'
- ✓Targets a specific audience (C-suite in automotive, defense, energy, healthcare) rather than 'everyone'
- ✓Combined 40 years of expertise gives journalists a concrete credibility metric
Score Card
Liza Minnelli: “EGOT Icon Liza Minnelli Enters 2026 With New Book, Kids Wait Till You Hear This and Television Project”
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/
Liza Minnelli is releasing her memoir 'Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!' co-written with Michael Feinstein and published by Grand Central Publishing on March 10, 2026. The book draws from nearly two decades of recorded conversations, presenting a candid account of her life, career, and recovery. A scripted dramatization is in development with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Why this works
- ✓'EGOT Icon' in the headline instantly communicates the author's stature — no need to explain who she is
- ✓Bundles two announcements (book + TV series) making the release twice as newsworthy
- ✓Names the publisher (Grand Central Publishing) and co-author (Michael Feinstein) for credibility
- ✓The '20 years of recorded conversations' detail gives journalists a unique angle beyond just another celebrity memoir
Score Card
Jeremiah Davidson: “Jeremiah Davidson Marks Publishing Debut with the Release of 'Beyond the Burn: Integrating Purposeful Humanity'”
March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/
Jeremiah Davidson announced the release of his debut book 'Beyond the Burn: Integrating Purposeful Humanity,' following his win at the Hay House Writer's Competition. The book explores integrating purposeful humanity into everyday life through personal development and mindfulness practices.
Why this works
- ✓Headline uses 'marks publishing debut' — positions the release as a milestone, adding human interest
- ✓The Hay House Writer's Competition win gives a debut author instant credibility and a news hook
- ✓Focuses on the book's practical application (integrating purposeful humanity) rather than abstract philosophy
- ✓Shows how debut and self-published authors can leverage competition wins and endorsements for PR traction
Score Card
How to Write a Press Release for a Book
To write a press release for a book, lead with a timely news hook, include the author's credentials and a Book Details block with ISBN and retailers, and keep the total length between 400 and 600 words. Here is the step-by-step process used in every author press release example above.
Step 1: Find Your News Hook
The news hook is the single most critical element in your book press release. "I wrote a book" is not news. But "Former NASA engineer reveals why the agency covered up safety data for 20 years" is news. Ask yourself: why should anyone care about this book right now? Tie your announcement to a timely angle — a trending topic, a major event, new research, or a cultural moment.
Strong hooks connect the book to something already in the news cycle. A cybersecurity book released during a major data breach, a parenting book launched to coincide with back-to-school season, or a memoir tied to a national awareness month. The hook is what separates a book press release example that gets coverage from one that gets ignored.
Step 2: Write the Headline
Include the author name, book title, and genre or topic in the headline. Lead with the author's most recognizable credential if they are not already well-known. Keep it under 100 characters. Example: "[Author Credential] [Author Name] Releases [Book Title], a [Genre/Topic] Published by [Publisher]." Look at the author press release examples above — each headline leads with credentials, not just the book title.
Step 3: Write the Lead Paragraph
Answer Who wrote it, What the book is about, When it is being released, Who is publishing it, and Why it matters — all in under 50 words. Include the publisher, release date, ISBN, and a one-sentence description of what the book delivers to the reader. The lead should work as a standalone news brief that a journalist could publish as-is.
Step 4: Include Author Credentials
Dedicate one paragraph to why the author is qualified to write this book. This is especially important for nonfiction. Include relevant experience, degrees, research, previous publications, or public recognition. For fiction, mention writing awards, MFA programs, or relevant life experience that informs the work. Credentials are what make editors take a sample book press release seriously — without them, the release reads like a self-promotion piece.
Step 5: Add an Author Quote
Include a quote from the author explaining why they wrote the book — not what the book is about (that is already in the lead). The quote should reveal motivation, personal connection, or what the author hopes readers will take away. Use "said" for attribution per AP style.
Step 6: Include the Book Details Block
Format the essential details as a bulleted list so journalists, reviewers, and booksellers can extract them instantly:
- Title: Full title and subtitle
- Author: Full name
- Publisher: Publishing house or independently published
- Release Date: Month and year
- ISBN: 13-digit ISBN
- Pages: Page count
- Price: Retail price and format (hardcover, paperback, ebook)
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, author website
Step 7: Optimize for Search
Before distributing, check if your target keyword has article intent — search it in Google and look at the results manually. If the top 10 results include articles, press releases, or book reviews, your release has a chance to rank. If the results are all Amazon listings or publisher pages, pick a different keyword angle. Place your primary keyword in the headline and first paragraph. For example, if you are targeting "book press release example," the SERPs should show guides and samples, not product listings.
Free Book Press Release Template
Download the template in Word or PDF. Includes placeholder text, Book Details block, and AP style formatting — the same structure used in every book press release example on this page.
Or browse all 14 free press release templates.
Good vs. Bad Book Press Release
A good book press release leads with credentials and includes a structured Book Details block, while a bad one relies on superlatives and omits purchasing information. Here is the same book announced two ways.
Headline
Author Releases Amazing New Must-Read Book
Former NASA Engineer Releases Memoir on the Hidden Cost of Space Exploration, Published by Viking Press
Lead Paragraph
We are excited to announce the release of a groundbreaking new book that will change the way you think about everything. This incredible book is a must-read for anyone who loves great writing.
NEW YORK, March 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Press today published 'The Weight of Orbit' (ISBN 978-0-670-03421-8, 304 pages, $27.99), a memoir by former NASA propulsion engineer Dr. James Okafor exploring the psychological toll of designing systems that carry human lives into space. The book draws on 18 years at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and interviews with 40 fellow engineers.
Book Details
The book is available online and in stores. Check it out today! You won't be disappointed.
Title: The Weight of Orbit: What They Don't Tell You About Building Rockets Author: Dr. James Okafor Publisher: Viking Press Release Date: March 15, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-670-03421-8 Pages: 304 Price: $27.99 (hardcover) / $14.99 (ebook) Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and local bookstores
What Makes a Book Press Release Different
A book press release differs from a standard press release in three ways: it requires a structured Book Details block with ISBN, publisher, and retailer links; it must establish the author's credibility to write on the topic; and the news hook must go beyond "I wrote a book" to connect to a timely trend or audience need. Here are the specific differences:
- Always include the ISBN. Bookstores, libraries, and distributors need the ISBN to order the book. Without it, your press release is missing the one piece of information that turns media coverage into actual sales. Use the 13-digit ISBN-13 format.
- List specific retailers. Do not say "available everywhere books are sold." Name the retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, the publisher's website, or specific independent bookstores. Include direct links if distributing digitally.
- Mention book tour or signings if applicable. If the author is doing a book tour, list the first few cities and dates in the release. This creates multiple localized news hooks and gives journalists in each city a reason to cover the book.
- Send three to four weeks before launch. Book reviewers and literary editors need lead time. For major nonfiction titles targeting national media, send advance review copies (ARCs) six to eight weeks before publication and follow up with the press release three to four weeks out.
- Include endorsement quotes from notable reviewers. A blurb from a recognized author, industry expert, or publication adds immediate credibility. Place it after the author quote, with the endorser's full name and title.
- Self-published authors: emphasize the story hook, not the publishing method. Never lead with "self-published author announces..." Lead with what makes the book newsworthy — the author's expertise, the timeliness of the topic, or a compelling personal angle. The publishing method can be mentioned in the Book Details block as "independently published."
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