12 Free Press Release Sites for Authors

NY Times newsroom, 1942

Updated 1/18/23

Your book is about to be released, but how do you get the news out to the media? The first thing you need to do is to write an engaging press release.

A press release is a news story. It is written in third person, has a catchy title and intro, an engaging discussion of the book's topic, and contains at least one quote. The thing to remember is that a press release is a story. What the book is about, why it is significant, and how it came to be written are all important components of a press release.

There are many templates for press releases online. (Type "press release book release" into a search.) Read the releases that have been distributed by publishing houses as well as the templates. (For example, search "Hachette press release.")

After you have honed your press release, the next step is to send it to media outlets via press release distributors. (Be sure to remember your local paper. Local authors are celebrities!) Don't wait until the last minute. If your local paper, for example, would like to include a photo, or get some quotes, you will need to give them sufficient advance notice - at least a couple of weeks.

Most press release services charge a fee - sometimes a hefty one - for distribution to the thousands of media channels that exist in print, on air, and on the net. But there are a few that are free, and some only charge a nominal fee. Depending on where you want your press release to be distributed, you don't have to spend a fortune.

Below are 13 press release services that don't charge a fee and which include an "arts and entertainment" category. Most of these also include paid services for broader distribution. It is worth the time to compare what each service offers in terms of paid and free distribution. Not only will a comparison give you an idea of how broadly your release can be distributed, it will let you know exactly where the press release will go.

Recommended reading. (This is a great article comparing the effectiveness of different press release services.)

60 Free Press Release Sites Tested – A Detailed Review

* An asterisk means registration is required.

Free Services

1 NPR
2 PR Log   * Free press release distribution service
3 PR.com   *
4 Press Box (UK) *
5 Newswire * Free and paid services.
6 Open PR * German site
7 Free Press Release Center * European site
8 UK Prwire * UK and global news
9 PR Urgent *

10 1888 press release

11 Newswire Today *

12 PRZoom *

Paid services

PR Underground Offers syndication to 100+ News Sites. 
Newswire * The paid service has a wide reach. Not cheap.
Pressat UK based, quite comprehensive. Plans start at £110

E-releases * Plans range from $399-$699. More pricey plans guarantee distribution to hundreds of news outlets.

PR Fire *UK only. Plans range from £95 to £290

ClickPress Plans range from £100 to £200. Free for charities.

Cision/PR Newswire Popular PR service