First stab at a press release. I need input, please.

[Donald James Parker]

To Bewitch or not to Bewitch – That is the Question
Madison, South Dakota USA (Press Release) October 20, 2008
To bewitch or not to bewitch – that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the spells and incantations of outrageous fortune tellers or to take up holy arms against seers of trouble and by opposing them end their influence.

Everybody loves Harry Potter, right? Can we hear a big NOT? Shakespeare he is not, but an unknown author/crusader named Donald James Parker from the heartland of America has summoned up the audacity to take up his lance and mount his faithful steed to engage the subliminal message of the most popular book series of all time. Reforming the Potter's Clay (ISBN 978-0615212234) has just recently been released by Sword of the Spirit Publishing. Like another Don of the past, is he tilting (jousting) at windmills or is there a veiled enemy in the spectacled lad of literary fame? The final answer may only be available in eternity.

The Morales family is divided with two positive votes for Harry Potter and one against. Only the father's negative ballot is accepted in the election, and HP books go on the forbidden reading list. Barbara, a bombshell who has bewitched Mr. Morales, urges him to get a life. The kids complain he is not practicing what he preaches in regard to discovering truth for oneself, so he consents to study the first book with them to search for concrete evidence that Harry is a bad influence. In the meantime, the kids' world gets turned upside down when a new family moves to town and starts a gang, pulling the Morales kids in. This is no ordinary group of troublemakers, though they do encounter trouble at every turn. Adam, the son of an Assembly of God pastor, is the leader of the God Squad, whose members use Holy Spirit power to get into and out of adventures in a classic duel between magick and miracles.

Reforming the Potter's Clay is not a mindless rant against the evils of Harry Potter. This book takes a rational look at the facts of the matter and presents those facts through the medium of a fictional tale which resembles a Potter story (although funnier). The world wants to hear about the supernatural. They get both sides of that coin in this novel.
An autographed copy of Reforming the Potter's Clay can be purchased at Sword of the Spirit Publishing or the author's website. It can also be obtained through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and www.lulu.com or by request at your favorite bookstore.
The video trailer for this book can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wDNTQnHx30.

http://SwordOfSpirit.net
http://www.DonaldJamesParker.com

[Melanie D. Calvert-Benton]

Looks good to me, a little wordy but okay. Don't sweat it James. Best, Melanie

[Malcolm R. Campbell]

Very interesting read. I do think, though, that your copy here will work better on a web site or in a blog than in a press release.

The main thing is, a press release is supposed to sound like an objective news story rather than a pitch. That means, it's supposed to be neutral. Anything that's not neutral--that is, sounds like an opinion--must have attribution. For example, a phrase like "summoned up the audacity" would never appear in a news story unless it was attributed to somebody. A reporter can't say that. Or shouldn't.

These days, a lot of media outlets lazily run press releases as is simply because it's easy. If they can't do that, they have the option of re-writing them, using them as a rationale to interview the author (in this case), or discarding them. If you use this, it's a gamble. You might catch an editor's attention, and he may assign a reporter to the story. It's a long shot though.

I had fun reading this; I'm just not certain you'll see it used, at least, not at a traditional media outlet.

Malcolm

[Zada Connaway]

Your purchase statement is puzzling to me. Can one buy autographed copies from Amazon, B&N and Lulu? I am picturing you sitting at a desk in one place for several hours, then going to the next.

[Peter N. Jones]

Not bad Don. I don't read this as a "purchase" press release, but more of one that is meant for a general audience that may be drawn to find out more. In that sense, I think it works. If you are trying to get people to directly buy from this, then it might need a little tweaking. But as you say, your don't do things in an orthodox fashion, so go for it.

Remember, I have that list of over 20 free press release sites that you will want to send this out on:

Free Press Release Sites for Book Marketing and Author Promotion

Best of luck.


_______________________________________
Director: Bauu Institute and Press
Publisher: Great New Books Reviewed
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues Today
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources

[Donald James Parker]

Thanks everybody for your feedback. Peter - your posting of this list earlier is what gave me the idea to create this press release. Thanks for providing the link again so I didn't have to go looking.