Press Release for Book Launch: Free Sample and Template

A press release is one of the oldest tools in book publicity, and it still has a place in an indie author’s launch. It will not make a newspaper cover your book on its own. What it does is give journalists, bloggers, librarians, bookstores and podcast hosts the facts they need in a format they recognize, so saying yes to you is easier.

This guide explains what a book launch press release should include, how to format it, and who to send it to. It ends with a free sample press release you can adapt for your own book.

When a press release actually helps

A press release works best when there is a reason for someone to care beyond “a new book exists.” Good angles for indie authors include:

• A local connection. Local papers, radio and community sites often cover authors from their area.
• A timely topic. If your nonfiction book or novel connects to something in the news or a seasonal event, say so.
• An event. A launch reading, a library talk or a signing gives media something specific to list.
• An unusual background. A retired firefighter writing thrillers is a story. Your expertise can be the hook.
• A niche audience. Trade publications, hobby blogs and specialist podcasts may be more interested than general media.

If you cannot find an angle, the release can still be useful as a fact sheet to attach to personal pitches. It just should not be blasted to hundreds of strangers.

The structure of a book launch press release

1. Release line. “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” or “EMBARGOED UNTIL [date]” at the top.
2. Headline. One line with the news and the hook. Not just the title of your book.
3. Subheadline (optional). One sentence that adds the second most important detail.
4. Dateline and lead paragraph. City, date, and the who, what, when and why in two or three sentences.
5. Body. Two or three short paragraphs about the book, why it matters now, and who it is for.
6. A quote. One or two sentences from you that sound like a person, not a sales line.
7. Book details. Title, genre, publication date, formats, page count, ISBN, price and where it is available.
8. Event details (if any). Date, time, place and whether it is free.
9. About the author. A short third person bio.
10. Media contact. Name, email, and where to get review copies, images and interviews.
11. End mark. “###” centered at the end signals the release is complete.

Keep the whole release to one page if you can. Editors skim.

Writing tips that make a difference

• Write the headline last. Once the rest is done, you will know what the real news is.
• Write like a reporter, not a marketer. Facts first. Avoid words like “groundbreaking,” “must-read” or “stunning.” Let the angle carry the interest.
• Use third person throughout, except inside your quote. That way an editor can lift whole paragraphs. Our guide to third person author bio examples shows how to keep it natural.
• Make the quote earn its place. Explain why you wrote the book or what you hope readers take from it. That is the line most likely to be printed.
• Do not invent endorsements or numbers. Only include reviews, awards or sales figures that are real and that you can cite.
• Include links to images. A high-resolution cover and author photo save everyone time.

Free sample press release for a book launch

This sample is for an invented author and book. Replace every detail with your own.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Harbor Master Turns Fifteen Years on the Water into a New Cozy Mystery Series

Portland author Maya Ortiz launches “The Keeper’s Secret” with a free reading at Harbor Street Library on June 14

PORTLAND, Maine, May 20, 2026: Local author Maya Ortiz will release The Keeper’s Secret, the first book in her Lighthouse Mysteries series, on June 10. The cozy mystery follows retired lighthouse keeper June Calloway as she investigates a disappearance in a small coastal town, drawing on Ortiz’s fifteen years working in Maine’s harbors.

The novel is set in a fictional town inspired by the fishing communities along the Maine coast. Readers who enjoy small-town mysteries with a strong sense of place, gentle humor and no graphic violence will find a new series to follow.

“I spent years watching how harbor towns work: who knows what, who talks to whom, and what never gets said out loud,” said Ortiz. “June is the kind of person those towns depend on, and I wanted to give her a mystery worthy of her.”

Ortiz will celebrate the release with a free reading and signing at Harbor Street Library on Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Book details
Title: The Keeper’s Secret (Lighthouse Mysteries, Book 1)
Genre: Cozy mystery
Publication date: June 10, 2026
Formats: Paperback and ebook
Pages: 312
ISBN: [your ISBN]
Available from: [retailers]

About the author
Maya Ortiz writes cozy mysteries set in small coastal towns. Before turning to fiction, she worked for fifteen years in Maine’s harbors. She lives near Portland with her husband and a cat who supervises every chapter.

Media contact
Maya Ortiz
[email address]
Review copies, high-resolution images and interviews available on request.

###

Who to send it to

• Local newspapers and community news sites. Look for an arts, books or community editor.
• Local radio and TV. Morning and community programs often feature local authors.
• Libraries and independent bookstores. Especially if you are planning an event or want them to stock your book.
• Book bloggers and reviewers in your genre. Pair the release with a personal note and an offer of a review copy.
• Podcasts. A release gives hosts the facts, but a personal pitch gets the booking. See our guide on how to pitch podcasts as an author.
• Alumni magazines, trade publications and professional associations connected to your background.

Send it individually with a short, personal email. Paste the release into the body of the email as well as attaching it, because some editors do not open attachments from people they do not know.

Timing

For monthly magazines, reach out two to three months before publication. For newspapers, local sites and blogs, two to four weeks before launch usually works. For event listings, check each outlet’s deadline. Follow up once, about a week later, then move on.

Frequently asked questions

Do indie authors still need a press release?

It is not essential, but it is useful. A clear one-page release gives media, libraries and bookstores the facts they need, and it works well as an attachment to personal pitches.

Should I pay for a press release distribution service?

For most indie authors, personal emails to a targeted list get better results than mass distribution. If you use a service, be clear about where the release will appear and who will actually read it.

How long should a book press release be?

Aim for one page, roughly 300 to 500 words, plus book details and contact information.

Can I send my press release as an attachment only?

Paste it into the email body as well. Many editors avoid opening attachments from unfamiliar senders.

A press release is one part of your press kit

When someone responds to your release, they will usually ask for more: a longer bio, an author photo, a cover image, sample interview questions. Having those ready is what turns interest into coverage. Our guide on how to write an author media kit explains what to include, and our book launch checklist covers the rest of your press preparation.

If you want a ready-made layout, our Author Media Kit Template includes pages for your bio, book details, interview topics and contact information, so you can send a professional kit alongside your press release. And if a host books you, our guide to author interview questions and answers will help you prepare.