What is a CV and why not a Resume? - Press Kit

This is a question that even I found myself asking. The word resume is easily noticeable and recognized at least in America. There is no second guessing what it is and what it is used for. But what exactly is a CV?

CV stands for Curriculum vitae. This type of document doesn't just list your education and job experience. It goes further. It includes awards, achievements, and publications. It includes all the information that is important for an author and for any potential agent you may try to get. In most cases, the CV is mostly used inside the academic realm. As a writer though, you have all the required information to include in a CV. Once you have two publications, you need to start one. Simple as that.

CV's can be and are longer than the typical one to two page resumes. Mine only hits two pages, but I have seen some author CV's topping six pages. If you think of a well-known author and how many books they have written, you can imagine the length of their CV.

Do not be scared of creating your own. It isn't difficult. In fact, I have simplified mine. It contains some biographical information. It is not long, since that can be found in my press kit. It contains a listing of all my publications based on Genre. It also has a list of Other publications. As of right now, I do not have any awards to include, or that would have a place as well.

There is a spot for awards, education, specialization, social media, and memberships. These are optional and can be added or deleted as you grow as an author.

Don't worry! This week, you will have access to easy step-by-step instructions to help you create your own CV.

Here's a quick glance at mine before I update it to include all my newest publications:

Stay tuned to this blog for a template and the guide to creating your own.

Mountain Momma Cover Reveal

I have had this title listed on my TBA upcoming books for a while now. I knew I was going to make it into a poetry book, but I was unsure whether I would be including recipes and memories as well. At this point, I am 100% sure as I am still in the formatting phase.

What I am sure about is the cover art.

So I am going to share it with you. If you like my Facebook page, then you would have seen it already. If you haven't, here is a look:

I feel it is perfect. And I am SUPER hard to please when it comes to cover art. I will keep you informed on release dates and more information as it happens.

Book Photos - Press Kit

Another important aspect of any book is the cover art. Not only does it drawn in potential readers, but it could be the deciding factor of purchasing. I hate to admit it, but I love good cover art. It draws me in as it should! As an author though, I sometimes look through tons of pictures and feel sometimes lost in the abundance. So when I choose a photograph or graphic to use in my covers, I ensure that I create a file folder to house it. You may think this is strange, but it helps.

If you are a new author or an aspiring one, you may be wondering why. And I can tell you why. You use the JPEG of your cover SO very much. I have lost track of the amount of times I use the photo of my covers. Having these photos in their own file makes it super handy when completing projects like this. But, this blog post isn't about creating the folders. It is about creating the Online Press Kit.

The point of having your book covers in one place (like a press kit) helps you two fold.

1. If you, yourself, are looking for a particular title for use, having it in a press kit allows you to find it quickly. It is accessible anywhere and at any time.

2. In the case of your career, many people will need access to these. So it is only practical to have them in one place accessible to all those who need it.

Below are some examples of my book covers.

Now, I will admit that having them in a "Finished Book" folder allows for quick access anyway; however, what if I am not at home? I cannot access them readily unless they are available on my website through the Online Press Kit. I personally include the book cover JPEG on the information page for each of my books.

Make sure that the photograph that you use is at least 300 dbi. This is printing quality. If you are a self-published author, you already know about the use of a 300 dbi photograph for better quality covers. All the information someone needs is right on the page for your book. And if you include the book cover, they have everything available to them!

We are almost to the end of our Online Press Kit journey. Are you excited to almost being done? I sure am.