I should start by telling you I'm one of those 'dumb luck' people that everyone hates. I got out of University and didn't know what I wanted to do with myself so I thought "Hey I always liked writing. Maybe I should take a course." I took night courses at a local college and one of them was 'How to Write a Romance Novel'. I'd never read a romance before so I thought the course would be fun. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with the genre. If I was a romance writer I could write a mystery, a comedy, a fantasy, basically whatever I wanted.

My teacher told us we should go to conferences and join a critique group. The Canadian Authors Assoc. held their conference near by that year so I went and I met people who invited me into their critique group.

My teacher told us we should enter contests. The following year RT was in Toronto I took the pre-conference seminars and placed second in Ann Peach's contest. Her faith in me drove me to finish the book and after many revisions and many rejections I finally sold. Why am I telling you all of this? This story compelled a reporter for one of the local papers to write a half page article on me with a full color picture. The article reappeared in the free weekend edition that goes out to everyone in the city (see I had a point ;))

One of the most important things you need to get the press you want is a story that interests them. For this reason I'm going to concentrate on the local market or the niche market. I'm published with a small publisher so the NY Times isn't likely to be interested in me. The beauty of the local market is people will buy you because: a) they might know you or run into you on the street someday or b) they want to see if you suck. Everyone loves a local hero some to put them up on a pedestal, some to tear them down. All you care about is getting the word out about your book so you can make some sales.

Some of you reading this might come from big cities. Your local paper has a circulation of a million or more and quite frankly they don't want to talk to you. Big cities as a rule (and a lot of the smaller ones) have entertainment papers. They are distributed for free and you can find them in grocery stores, bars and sometimes in street boxes. A lot of these publications are dying for stories so they are a good place to send a press release or press kit.

If you belong to any associations with a trade paper or magazine they're often open to buzzing one of there own. Company newsletters also fall into this category, but check your company policy first. You don't want to lose your job because they consider your writing career a conflict of interest.

Local radio stations especially AM talk radio stations are often willing to do interviews; the same goes for your local cable news stations. This is assuming you're comfortable with a live interview. Radio and TV can be far less forgiving than a print article.

So the next question is how do you get an interview from these people? Your first option is a press release. Much like your book blurb it should catch their eye. "Local Author Releases Her First Book..." The press release is a great tool, but without proper follow up, like a phone call, it falls flat.

Better than the press release alone is the press kit. You're going to have your release in there with your picture, a fact sheet about you, past articles about you and some of your promotional material. I know it's not professional, but I've heard from the local media that they like goodies - something that ties in with your book. If you give them something they can take home and use (like a letter opener, or a screen cleaner, etc.) they are more likely to move your information to the top of the pile. These are not glamorous reporters they can barely make a living doing what they do so they take all the perks they can get.

I have the same dumb luck with the media that I mentioned when I started this article. All the print interviews I have done were because I knew someone who knew someone in the industry. I even had the opportunity to do a TV interview because I worked with a woman who worked part time with the local cable station. (I didn't end up doing the interview, but that was my choice. The opportunity was still there.)

If any of you are fortunate enough to have a personal connection to the media, use it. For the rest who aren't so lucky I've talked to a couple of authors and got their input on getting an interview. You can get a list of reporters from organizations like city's business persons association or your local arts council. I got my contacts through the company I work for. They deal a lot with the press and were able to get me an interview.

A good way to make contact with radio personalities is to go to their onsite shows. (At grocery store openings, fairs, etc. any event where they'll likely be bored.) DON'T pester them, but when they have a quiet moment go up and introduce yourself. Rather than handing them a card right away, chat them up a bit. If they seem interested give them a copy of your book (if possible) and your press kit. If not, let it go and walk away. You don't want to be a nuisance.

Amy O'Connor, an e-author from Australia , has worked at a radio station in the past. She believes you should use press releases as a last resort. Most releases go straight in the garbage and will only get read if there is no other news. Talking directly to the reporter is best.

Another opportunity I wanted to mention is online radio. This should appeal to the shy writers out there. One show in particular is Jewel's Way Romance Authors' Internet Radio Show on Wednesday from 10 pm to midnight (eastern time). Jewel features guest authors. Her main focus is to inform her listeners about the books available through retailers and publishers on the net. Jewel requires that have a website in order to be on her show. Currently she is booked up for the entire year, but she will take your name and the month you'd like talk and contact you if there is a cancellation. Her email is jewel@jewelsway.com and her site is www.jewelsway.com .

You can try doing an online search for radio shows to see who else is out there.

One last thing I want to mention is always thank your interviewer for the opportunity they have given you once you have done the interview. Follow up with a card, a note or a phone call. Once you make a contact in the press you want to keep them.