Guiltless Reading Confessions is a new feature where I can blabber about bookish things, bloggy things, and generally just speak my mind. I warn you, this is mostly just "streams of consciousness" so please don't nitpick. Feel free to jump in with your own two cents. I look forward to chatting with you! I'm linking up my confessions to "Let's Discuss" hosted by Oh Chrys! and The Fiction Conniption. Don't forget to check out more bookish discussions!
Whether you like it or not, we book bloggers are marketers. Authors are looking to us to tell the world about their book, and they cross their fingers and hope that we sing their work praises.
Which brings me to the book press release. You know, the piece of paper that is often stuffed in the review copy providing all the book details, information about the author, the release date, the formats, price, and of course, a glowing excerpt or review (or two, or three), among others.
I've got a number of them still stuffed in the books, and honestly ... I don't think I even bothered to read them!
But I do find that the press release is of great help to me when its included in the email with the book pitch. The book pitch is the first point of contact with the blogger, so it is basically a personable version of the book press release.
I really pay attention to how the book is pitched to me. I pay attention whether the author has taken the time to read my review policy, check to see whether their book what I like to read. Then if I find the book intriguing enough, I'll open the book press release and see if I really want to read and review. But the paper press releases stuffed in the mailed review copy is useless to me ... I've likely read it already!
In conclusion, I think the book pitch and the book press release are equally important. I think authors and publicists need to spend time doing both well.
Bloggers, what do you think about book press releases? Are they helpful when constructing your reviews? How are they helpful? Do you use some sections when writing your review?
Authors, you may want to check out these resources:
- Standout Reader: Book press release template
- Midwest Book Review: On the use of press releases in book reviews