How to Create an Author Media Page That Journalists Actually Use

What an Author Media Page Should Look Like

If a podcast host, journalist, or event organizer lands on your website, they have about 30 seconds of patience. If they can't find your bio, headshot, book description, and contact info quickly, they move on to the next author.

An author media page (sometimes called a press page or press kit) solves this problem. It puts everything a media professional needs in one place, formatted exactly the way they'll use it. Here's how to build one that actually gets you booked and featured.

Why Most Authors Don't Have One (And Why That's a Mistake)

Most authors assume their About page is enough. It's not. An About page is written for readers. A media page is written for professionals who are deciding whether to feature you.

The difference matters. A reader wants to feel connected to you. A journalist wants to verify your credibility in 15 seconds. A podcast host wants a bio they can read verbatim as your introduction. An event organizer wants a headshot they can drop into a flyer without emailing you back and forth.

If you make their job easier, they're more likely to say yes.

What Goes on Your Media Page

1. Two Bio Versions

Provide both a short bio (50-75 words) and a long bio (200-300 words). The short version is what podcast hosts read aloud. The long version is what journalists pull quotes from for articles.

Write both in third person. Include your name, what you write, your most notable credential or accomplishment, and where people can find you. Skip the cute stuff — this is a professional document.

2. High-Resolution Headshot

Provide at least one professional headshot in high resolution (minimum 1500x1500 pixels). Offer it as a downloadable file — don't make people screenshot your website.

If you have both a color and black-and-white version, include both. Label them clearly: "AuthorName_Headshot_Color.jpg" and "AuthorName_Headshot_BW.jpg."

3. Book Cover Images

High-resolution cover images for every book, downloadable. Include the ISBN if relevant. Event organizers and media outlets need these for promotional materials.

4. Book Description

A 2-3 paragraph book description — not your Amazon blurb (which is optimized for conversion), but a more informative summary suitable for press contexts. Include genre, page count, publication date, publisher, and ISBN.

5. Review Quotes and Press Coverage

This is where your media page becomes truly powerful. Feature your strongest review quotes with clear attribution. Professional editorial reviews carry the most weight here — they signal to journalists that your book has been independently evaluated.

If you're building your review portfolio, getting a professional review at AccessoryToSuccess.com gives you quotable, credible content that belongs front and center on your media page.

List any press coverage you've received: articles, interviews, podcast appearances, TV segments. Link to them where possible.

6. Interview Topics / Speaking Topics

List 5-7 topics you can speak about confidently. Frame them as questions or angles a host might find interesting:

• "Why most first-time authors fail at marketing — and what to do instead"
• "The surprising reason book reviews matter more than social media followers"
• "Three things every author should do before their book launch"

This makes it easy for podcast hosts to know exactly what kind of conversation they'd get. As Jane Friedman explains, giving hosts ready-made angles dramatically increases your booking rate.

7. Contact Information

A dedicated media contact email — not your personal email. Something like press@yourname.com or media@yourname.com. If you have a publicist or agent, list their contact info here instead.

Include a response time expectation: "Media inquiries typically answered within 24-48 hours."

8. Social Media Links

All your active platforms, linked with icons. Only include platforms you actually use — a dead Twitter account with 12 followers doesn't help your case.

How to Format Your Media Page

Keep it clean and scannable. Use headers, bullet points, and clear sections. Consider offering a downloadable PDF press kit in addition to the web page — some media professionals prefer a single file they can save and reference later.

At the top of the page, include a one-line summary of who you are: "Bobby Dietz is a [genre] author and [credential]. His latest book, [Title], was published by [Publisher] in [Year]."

This lets a journalist scanning the page know immediately whether you're relevant to their story.

Where to Link Your Media Page

Don't bury it. Link to your media page from:

• Your main website navigation (label it "Press" or "Media")
• Your email signature
• Your social media bios
• Any pitch emails you send to podcasts, journalists, or events

When you pitch yourself for an opportunity, include the direct link to your media page in the email. "My press kit is at [URL] — headshot, bio, book info, and review quotes are all there." That one sentence saves the recipient three follow-up emails.

Keep It Updated

A media page with a 2019 headshot and no mention of your latest book does more harm than good. Set a quarterly reminder to update your media page: new book info, new reviews, updated headshot, fresh interview topics.

Every time you get a new professional review — from AccessoryToSuccess.com or elsewhere — add the best quote to your media page. This is a living document that should get stronger over time.

For more on leveraging media coverage to sell books, check out our guide on how to get media coverage for your book. And if you're ready to start pitching yourself to podcasts, our post on how to get your book featured on a podcast as a guest is the natural next step.