It was the fourth time I’d emailed the event coordinator my purchase order. After sending her three incorrectly completed forms, she eventually realised that I was a total newbie and very bad at maths. Thankfully, she took pity on me and carefully and clearly explain what each acronym meant, what value to put beside it, and how to calculate the three different ‘totals’.
I mean … I think that’s what we did …
?
Hosting a book launch is a fantastic way to build hype around the release of your novel, but it’s also a fun way to celebrate this huge personal and professional achievement.
Lots of people want to write a novel, but not all of them do.
Taking a moment to pause and acknowledge yourself is important because our “busy” culture sometimes tricks us into moving onto the next thing before we’ve even stopped to celebrate the completion of a current milestone.
Hosting a book launch is simpler than you think, minus the paperwork.
Of course, where and with whom you host your event will likely determine the quality of your experience, but a few things will remain the same.
Once you have picked a venue and settled on the date, it’s super important that you do two things:
- Order copies of your novel in advance and deliver them to the venue ahead of time. That way, the bookseller can assist in the promoting of your event — and the book — by having the item in-house and on shelf
- Promote, promote, promote.
You may have guessed that promoting your event is pretty important.
You should definitely promote your event on social media, your website and newsletter, but there are other sources you can tap into as well.
Because your launch is location dependent, you need to target the residents of that region/town/city.
Media sources you should consider contacting are:
- ‘What’s on’ websites/facebook pages
- Book clubs and writing groups within the region
- City zines
- City culture blogs like Urban List or Concrete Jungle
- The Writer’s Centre for your state (many have community notice boards)
- Local newspapers
- Local radio
- Local TV stations
- Local magazine
Approaching local media is the best way to ensure that the maximum volume of potential attendees is reached.
Hear me: You cannot depend on the bookstore to promote your event.
Yes, they will tell customers, they may send out an email to their newsletter subscribers and have a poster in the store … but it is up to you to generate interest in your book and in the event.
Now, approaching media outlets may seem scary, but it’s actually not! So, stop listening to that small voice in your head. Feed it a sandwich, throw it a shiny ball and get on with your promotional plan.
If you don’t know HOW to approach your local media outlets, check out the blog post here.
In addition to spamming strangers, it is also important that you invite your family, friends, beta readers, proofreaders, editors, cover designer and everyone else who was involved in the creation of your book.
If you’ve been working on this book for a long time — and I know you have — then these people will want to celebrate with you.
After all, they’ve put up with you yapping on and on about this project so the least you can do is give them some cake and treat them to a live reading.
Hosting a book launch had a dual purpose, it’s a way to celebrate the release of your novel, but it’s also a way for you as the author to say farewell to the project.
The book is done. It’s not yours anymore. The launch signals your willingness to release it into the world so that it can go off and have new adventures with other people.
If you’ve been thinking about hosting a launch, I encourage you to go ahead and do so.
The event may be brief (1-2 hours), but it will be packed full of meaning. Promise.
I LOVE Christmas and I LOVE writing. So, I figured I better stick these two loves together and write a super special Christmas Story for my email subscribers. This short & sweet little story is for anyone who has read Every Time He Dies but was left wanting more.
If you’d like to receive a copy of the ETHD Christmas Story, please consider joining my email newsletter When you subscribe, you’ll also receive a downloadable copy of my cheatsheet Seven Ways To Stay Motivated As A Writer.
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