The size and style of the publishing house will have an effect on the amount of support they're able to give. If you have a book coming out with a publisher, you may be in the happy position of coordinating your PR efforts with their own. You can always adapt or change it later if needed. Your key message: Whether you want someone to buy a book, sign up to your website or book you for events, it's important to pick one clear message and focus on that. Journalists and bloggers may ask questions you are uncomfortable with, and it's good to know what you're willing and unwilling to share about your private life ahead of time. Your boundaries: Think carefully about where you want to draw the lines in your personal life. Your brand: How do you want to be seen? Are you an authority on your subject? You need to think about your audience too, and what they're most likely to want to hear from you. Your goal: Are you trying to get your name known? Sell a particular book? Promote your back catalogue? Be realistic about how much time you have and what you can do with it - it's better to plan room for growth than to overstretch yourself and have to drop a plan halfway through. But it does mean thinking carefully about what makes you and your book unique, appealing and interesting. This isn't about lying or pretending to be somebody you're not. It's important to think about what you want to achieve and how you want to be seen by potential audiences. Read our guide to using social media to promote your work before you begin.

Social media: A cost-free way to grow your profile that's completely within your control.Traditionally newspapers and magazines, 'press' could also mean appearing as a guest on a podcast, or writing a post for a popular website. Press: Book reviews, features and interviews all count as press publicity.If you're based in Scotland, you might be eligible to join our Live Literature Author Directory so that organisations can find and book you for events. Events: Visits to local libraries, book shops and schools can all help to build your audience and translate into book sales.There are some tried and tested methods for spreading the word within the book community.

Either way, preparation is key to ensure you spend your time wisely and get the best results possible.

You might have the support of a professional publicist, or be responsible for promoting your book on your own. Promoting your book (and yourself) is an essential skill for writers the more people who hear about your writing, the better. Promoting your book (and yourself) is an essential skill for writers, so we've put together some handy advice to get you started. Looking for more in Writing and Authors or Getting published: submitting to a publisher? Promoting your work: PR and press tips for writers

Press release for book launch sample