How to Write a Press Release.

A press release, sometimes referred to as news release, is a statement / letter sent to an editor or journalist explaining why they should write a story or article about your event, product or service.

Most journalists have a preferred format that the press release needs to be in to even be read.
If you use Microsoft Office you can CLICK HERE for free downloads of Press Release templates.

If you do not use Microsoft Office, you can visit any of these great sites that offer free Press Release outlines, templates, and tips.

Bill Stoller's Publicity Insider
Free Press Release Center
How to Write a Press Release by Alou Web Design
Amnesty.ca How to Write a Press Release for Youth.

Writing the Press Release.
For starters you should print your press release on company paper with header and company logo. Or include a header with your contact information and logo if you have one.


The Introduction should consist of a short paragraph summing up the whole press release with some good key words that grab the reader’s attention. Your whole press release should be written from the journalist’s point of view, do not use words like I or We, write in the third person. Tip: If you read your introduction and it sounds like you are trying to sell something or worst sounds boring, then you should revise it. It is usually helpful to write this part last.


The Body should sound exactly how you want it to appear in the news article, if you send in a press release and it appears exactly the same in the news story, then you know you’ve written it well. When writing the body you should avoid using run-on sentences, be concise and informative of the event / service / product that you are writing about. Avoid using fancy fonts that may make your release harder to read. Be honest with what you write and include the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, and why)

Who - Briefly introduce yourself.
What – What is your product, service, or goals. What is the actual story.
Where – Include locations of the event or country / city of the news source.
When – When does the event take place, when does the sale start, etc…
Why – The purpose of the press release.


The Closing paragraph should include a sum up of your release and your contact information including who should be contacted if someone different from yourself.

How to Find a Literary Agent

So you have decided to use a literary agent to help get your book known. Before I begin I would first like to mention that not everyone needs a literary agent, if you plan on submitting your manuscript to a larger publishing house then you would most benifit from a literary agent, as most big publishing houses might not read unsolicted manuscripts. If you plan on submitting your manuscript to a smaller publishing house that accaptes unsolicoted manuscripts then you may not even need an agent. Larger publishing houses trust most agents to send quality manuscripts, agents know what publishing houses want. On the down side it isn’t exactly an easy task getting an agent to sign you on if you are an unknown name in the business.

Here are some tips to help you when finding an agent.

1. Finnish your novel or literary work before contacting an agent. If you are required to send in your whole manuscript, you want to have it to send. If you tell the agent they have to wait a month until you are finished writing you will be dropped and the next new emerging author will a full manuscript in hand will take your place. Don't waste both your time and the agent’s time. Finnish your work, edit and edit again, have a friend read it to make sure it flows properly, then maybe edit again for good measure.

2. Make yourself known. An agent may be more likely to sign you on if you have published work in the past, write articles for literary journals or magazines, or write short stories and submit them to magazines or contests, when you contact an agent include these as accomplishments in your field.

3. Research agents. Visit multiple agents websites, find an agent that represents authors who write in the same genre as you. Speak to other authors and ask who represents them and ask if they are happy with this agent.

4. Write the agent a letter. This letter is very important and you should put a lot of time into it. You could have a bestselling novel and still be turned down if you letter to the agent dose not flow properly, remember this letter is your chance to show you are articulate, professional, and serious about your work. In the opening part of the letter add your synopsis (I recommend spending a great deal of time on the synopsis, you want it to sum up your work and want the agent to say to themselves "wow, I want to read more" ) Next add credentials: literary contests you've won, published short stories or articles, etc...
Also you want to mention if you have been referred by someone important or someone represented by the same agent.

5. Send your letter to more then one agent, do not get discouraged if you do not receive a reply back, agents receive thousands of letters a year and only take on a handful of new clients. Be patient and don't give up, you've spent too much time on your manuscript, believe in it and your letter and even if you do not get an agent you may still receive some great feedback.

Best of luck!

List of Canadian Literary Agents from The Writers' Union of Canada

List of Literary Agents from around the world from Writers.Net

2009 Summary of Award Winners

2009 Literature Award Winners

Award: Nobel Prize in Literature

Winner: Herta Muller

Award: Governor General's Literary Awards
Winners by catagory:

Fiction:
Kate Pullinger
Julie Mazzieri

Poetry:
David Zieroth
Helene Monette

Drama:
Kevin Loring
Suzanne Lebeau

Non-Fiction:
M.G. Vassanji
Nicole V. Champeau

Children's Literature - Text:
Caroline Pignat
Herve Bouchard

Children's Literature - Illustration:
Jirina Marton
Janice Nadeau

Translation:
Susan Ouriou
Paule Noyart