| Are you a professional writer who wants to | | | | background for the media, editors, reporters, et |
| maximize your exposure to potential markets and | | | | al.CredentialsWhile formal studies in writing are not |
| editors? Would you welcome free publicity? Does | | | | necessarily a requisite for a writing career, in order to |
| boosting your image as a writer interest you? Then | | | | break into some specializations you often do need to |
| you need a media kit.What is a Media Kit?A media kit | | | | demonstrate some genre-related expertise. So if you |
| is a "package" of information about you, your | | | | have any academic or technical qualifications they can |
| services, business and writing abilities and | | | | serve to position you as an expert. Credentials can |
| accomplishments. It may incorporate any number of | | | | include academic degrees, professional workshops, |
| items which aid in promoting you and providing | | | | seminars, conferences and courses, professional or |
| relevant background information on you and your | | | | trade association memberships, among |
| services to editors, reporters, prospective clients and | | | | others.Testimonials / FeedbackNeedless to say, it |
| others in the media. Even your readers will take a | | | | certainly never hurts to relate any positive reader or |
| peek at your media kit information. Want to know | | | | editorial feedback you have received about your |
| more about Sue Grafton, Tom Clancy, J.K. Rowling or | | | | work. Commendation / recommendation and |
| Stephen King? Check out their media kits.These are | | | | reference letters, comments, testimonials and praise |
| some key items you could package into your | | | | all can demonstrate your talents in reaching readers. |
| professional writer media kit for getting the most | | | | They can also your show professionalism.More on |
| mileage out of any exposure or publicity | | | | PhotosSeveral good photos-in-action are always |
| scenario:Your Author PhotoYou absolutely must have | | | | useful to have available. Photos of you receiving an |
| at least a good passport-type photo (smile, please) in | | | | award or other recognition lend support to press |
| your media kit. Another, half-body shot of you | | | | releases and background support text.Now I'm |
| "working" is useful to have too.A Writer BioYou'll also | | | | originally from Pennsylvania Dutch country in the USA |
| definitely need to include two or three bios of | | | | but currently live and work in South America, so I |
| yourself. One should be around 25 words, another | | | | include several photos of various kinds (most taken |
| approx. 50 words and a third of 100 words or less. | | | | by me) of my hometown area to allow visual |
| These are so potential users can plug it into their | | | | support of my background information. One or more |
| programs or document using the length and detail | | | | of them are frequently used by the local and regional |
| that suits their application without having to bug you | | | | media.Make Your Media Kit AvailablePost your media |
| to edit your bio before they can use it.ClipsLet your | | | | kit on your website, mention its availability in queries, |
| light shine here. Showcase your talent. Include three | | | | your blog or send it to media outlets like newspapers, |
| to five of your best clips with relevant publication | | | | magazines, technical / trade organizations, chambers |
| data provided. (If you don't have enough clips or | | | | of commerce, agents, speaker's bureaus, TV and |
| want to break into a new specialty or genre, then | | | | radio stations, blogs and websites or as part of any |
| research and write a specialized clip or two and | | | | PR efforts. Use your media kit to maximize your |
| include them.Website and Blog ReferencesYou DO | | | | exposure to potential markets and editors, get free |
| have a website or Blog, don't you? Great, talk it up. | | | | publicity and help boost your image as a professional |
| Be sure to include the links in your media kit and on | | | | writer.Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an expert author and |
| all correspondence as well as your SIG (resource | | | | photographer offering Web Content Writing Services |
| box).Writer Resume or Writer CVBesides your Bio, | | | | for top-quality articles on: Education, Language |
| you should provide a full resume or CV in your media | | | | learning, Salt and Fresh water fishing, exotic foods, |
| kit. This document allows you to demonstrate your | | | | South American travel and culture, Ethnic issues - |
| background and development as a writer. Here you | | | | Blacks, Latinos, Indian native tribes, Health, Internet |
| can insert personal anecdotes and give your writing / | | | | business resources and more ... His work has |
| publication history in more detail than possible in a Bio, | | | | appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American |
| cover letter or query.Publications ListIf your | | | | Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News, Brazil |
| publications are extensive, tabulate them by genre, | | | | magazine and hundreds of sites online. |
| theme or chronologically to provide a quick reference | | | | |