Book Press Release Template

Announce a book publication, release date, or launch event. The copy-paste skeleton, an AI prompt tuned for this announcement type, and a full annotated example.

Press release templates / Book press release template

What is a book press release?

A book press release announces a publication: the title, author, publication date, formats, and where to buy. The structural difference from other releases is the hook. "Author publishes book" is not news; what the book argues, reveals, or documents is. Lead with the claim a journalist could build a story around.

When should you use one?

Reviewers work on long lead times, so the first release goes out eight to twelve weeks before the publication date with review copies on offer. A second, shorter release at publication catches retail press and local coverage, especially if there is a launch event. Self-published authors should issue the release from their imprint or publishing business, since wire review (ours included) refuses releases about a private individual rather than an organization.

Want to see the finished shape first? Read a full annotated book press release, with notes on why each part works, in the press release examples gallery.

Copy-paste book press release template

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Publisher] to Publish [Title] by [Author] on [Date]

[Subheadline: what the book argues, reveals, or documents in one sentence]

[CITY, State] — [Month Day, Year] — [Publisher name], [one-line description], today announced [full title] by [author], publishing [date] in [formats]. [One sentence on what the book covers and what makes it new: the research, the access, or the argument.]

[Author credentials and book specifics: why this author, scope of the research, prices per format. 3-4 sentences.]

"[The author on the subject, in words they would say aloud]," said [Author Name]. "[Optional second sentence.]"

[Availability paragraph: review copies, author interview availability, launch events with dates, preorder link. End with the publisher or book website.]

About [Publisher or Imprint]
[Standard boilerplate, 1-3 sentences, with website.]

Media Contact
[Name, Title, Email, Phone]

###

Book press release AI prompt

Fill in the facts section, then paste the whole thing into ChatGPT, Claude, or the Press Ranger AI writer.

AI prompt: book press release

Write a book press release using the facts below. Follow these rules exactly:

- Third person throughout. First person only inside the quote.
- Structure: headline naming the publisher, title, author, and publication date (under 100 characters); one-sentence subheadline stating what the book argues, reveals, or documents; dateline paragraph opening "CITY, State — Month Day, Year —" covering title, author, date, and formats in two sentences; a paragraph on the author's credentials and the book's specifics with prices per format; one quote from the author about the subject; an availability paragraph covering review copies, interview availability, launch events, and preorders, ending with the website; an About boilerplate for the publisher or imprint; a media contact block.
- No author byline. No first-person narration. Attribute any statistic to a named source. Around 400 words. Plain text, no markdown.

MY BOOK FACTS (replace before running):
- Publisher or imprint: {NAME, ONE-LINE DESCRIPTION}
- Author: {NAME, CREDENTIALS IN ONE LINE}
- Book: {FULL TITLE, PUBLICATION DATE, FORMATS AND PRICES}
- The hook: {WHAT IT ARGUES, REVEALS, OR DOCUMENTS, IN ONE SENTENCE}
- The research: {SOURCES, SCOPE, YEARS OF WORK}
- Events: {LAUNCH EVENTS WITH DATES, or NONE}
- Review copies: {HOW PRESS REQUESTS THEM}
- Boilerplate: {PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION}
- Contact: {NAME, EMAIL, PHONE}

The rules in the prompt produce a release formatted to pass wire editorial review: third person, no bylines, attributed statistics.

Frequently asked questions

When should I announce a book?

Eight to twelve weeks before the publication date, because reviewers and long-lead outlets assign coverage months out. A second, shorter release at publication catches retail and local press.

What should a book press release include?

Title, author, publication date, formats with prices, ISBN if assigned, the one-sentence hook, how press requests review copies, whether the author is available for interviews, and where to preorder.

Can self-published authors send a press release?

Yes. Issue it from your imprint or publishing business rather than from yourself as a person. Wire editorial review, including ours, refuses releases about a private individual instead of an organization, so the imprint is the issuer and the book is the news.

How do I distribute a book press release?

Pitch book review editors directly with a review copy attached, and use wire distribution for the announcement of record. Our wholesale press release distribution publishes to named outlets including Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and AP News for $299 to $399 flat.

Ready to publish? Press Ranger distributes releases to named outlets including Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and AP News at wholesale prices ($299–$399 flat). See the wholesale distribution page or create a free account.