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How to Get Book Publicity in Ireland
10 Steps for Authors
How to Get Book Publicity in Ireland
10 Steps for Authors
Are you wondering how to get your self-published book featured in the media?
Learn how to get featured in newspapers, radio and traditional media with this publicity guide for self-published authors.
Getting publicity for your book as a self-published author can significantly boost sales, build your author profile, and help you reach readers beyond your immediate network. Here are 10 key steps to prepare before you reach out to journalists and media outlets in Ireland.
1. Write a Professional Press Release
When self-publishing, writing a professional press release is the most important step in getting book publicity. A well-written press release is crucial to catching the attention of a journalist and getting them to feature your book.
It should include key information about your book release and be written in a style the journalist can easily re-use in print or online. In many cases, a great press release can be published almost word-for-word. Some journalists may even invite you for an interview based on it.
You can hire press agencies to help prepare a press release, or use a template and add your own book details. Make sure your press release is properly formatted and edited, and in a format that journalists can work with.
2. Get a High-Quality Author Photo for the Media
Before contacting journalists for book publicity, make sure you have professional photographs ready to send along with your press release. Your author photo should be high resolution (typically 1MB or more) and in JPEG format.
If your book includes photographs, you could also include one or two samples. If you’re submitting photos from a book launch or event, provide 3–5 clear images.
3. Include a Professional Cover Image with Your Pitch
Alongside your press release and author photo, include a JPEG image of your book’s front cover. This cover should be professionally designed and provided in high resolution. You want your front cover to show your credibility as a self-published author, and to catch the attention of each journalist you contact.
4. Write a Clear, Concise, and Catchy Email for Journalists
Journalists receive many emails every day from authors looking for book publicity. Your subject line and message must stand out.
Use a short, punchy subject line — this may even be used as the article headline in print. Your email should be direct and professional, giving the journalist everything they need to know in just a few lines.
5. Build Your Contact List
Once your press kit is ready (press release, author photo, cover), start building your media contact list in Ireland. This list can consist of journalists and radio/tv producers.
Buy the publications where you’d like to be featured and take note of the journalists who cover book-related content. You can usually find their email address online or by calling the publication.
For radio or TV, target the producer, not the presenter — the producer’s name is often mentioned at the end of a show.
6. Tailor Your Pitch for Each Media Outlet
Tailor your pitch based on who you’re contacting. For radio, focus more on your personal story rather than a detailed press release. Let them know why you wrote the book.
Do your research on each media outlet before you contact them. Understand their audience and their tone, and pitch accordingly. Always try to email a person rather than a generic mailbox.
If you’re not receiving responses, consider revising your email or hiring a professional publicist to help you write your press release and your pitch.
7. Choose the Right Time to Pitch Your Book
When pitching your book as a self-published author, understand the importance of timing. Certain times of the year, such as September to December, will be busier than other periods.
Major publishers will be launching high-profile titles in the lead up to the Christmas season. This makes it much more competitive to get media coverage.
For better outcomes, consider looking for book publicity during quieter months such as January to March, when journalists may be more open to new stories and content.
8. Be Polite and Professional
Always be polite in your communications, even if you don’t get a reply. It may simply be a timing issue or not a good editorial fit.
If your pitch is declined, thank them anyway and ask if they can recommend another journalist or outlet. If you do receive publicity, make sure to follow up with a thank-you message.
9. Share Your Publicity Across Social Media
Any book publicity you receive as a self-published author is a great opportunity to share with your network on social media. Tag the publication or broadcaster in your posts and stories, and make sure to thank them for the coverage.
This may also expose your book to a wider audience!
10. Join Buythebook.ie for Author Publicity Support
At buythebook.ie, we offer a masterclass for self-published authors, hosted by one of Ireland’s leading book publicists, Peter O’Connell. This session includes a live presentation and Q&A with Peter. It is free and exclusive to Buy the Book members.
Find out more about becoming a member of Buy the Book today. Click here for our membership plans. Email us at [email protected] with any questions about joining up.
Read More Articles
Read our Author Guides for more information on selling your book.
FAQ - How to Get Book Publicity in Ireland
How do I start to get book publicity in Ireland as a self-published author?
The first step is to write a professional press release. A press release gives journalists everything they need to know about your book, including key information about the release and your background as an author. It should be clearly written, well-formatted, and ready for publication.
What should be included in a press kit when looking for book publicity?
Your press kit should include:
A professional press release
A high-resolution author photo (JPEG, at least 1MB)
A professionally designed front cover image of your book
Optional event or book launch photos (3–5 different images)
These materials make it easier for journalists to feature your book.
How can I find journalists or media contacts in Ireland?
Start by reading the publications you want to be featured in and identifying who writes about books. For radio or TV, find the name of the producer rather than the presenter. You can usually locate email addresses online or by contacting the publication or station directly.
When is the best time to look for book publicity as a self-published author in Ireland?
January to March is generally a quieter time for book releases in Ireland, making it a good window for securing media coverage for Irish self-published authors. The months from September to December are more competitive, as major publishers release their big titles during this time.
What support does buythebook.ie offer Irish self-published authors looking for book publicity?
Buythebook.ie offers members access to a live masterclass hosted by Ireland’s leading book publicist, Peter O’Connell. This sessions includes a presentation, expert advice, and a live Q&A to help self-published authors improve their chances of getting featured in the Irish media.
How do I join buythebook.ie?
Find out about our membership plans here or email [email protected] for more information.
About Buy the Book
Buy the Book is an Irish owned and Independent online book marketplace established in 2021 for authors to sell their books directly to their readers.
Buy the Book actively promotes Irish authors and is a growing author community and support network.
When you Buy a Book from us, you are supporting our Irish authors directly.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.
Buy the Book actively promotes Irish authors and is a growing author community and support network.
When you Buy a Book from us, you are supporting our Irish authors directly.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.
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