Today, Carla joins us to share insights, ideas, and advice gleaned from her personal experience with highly successful book launches. So sharpen your pencils, turn to a clean page in your notebooks, and get ready to learn from someone who knows whereof she speaks (er, blogs)!
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| Award-winning author Carla Stewart |
If the release of your new book is anything like mine, it’s been atleast two years (or much longer) from the time your book was a glint in youreye until you’ve held your baby in your hands. It’s like being “with child” fortwenty-four months! Having given birth to four human babies, I was more thatready for a celebration after just nine months. So double that and then some,and that’s what it feels like when you book baby is born. Why not celebrate yournew release with abandon? Show it off to the world and let others join in! First, a word about terminology. A book release party can be called alaunch. It can be a traditional book signing. It can be a virtual book launch.For our purposes here today, though, I’m going with the theory that it’s aPHYSICAL, in-person release party. In other words, this is a VERY BIG DEAL, andyou might have to get dressed up for this. But, you know, you deserve it,right? I’ve come up with five keys to making sure your release party is asmash hit. PLANNING – The five W’s and How Much?· Who to invite – Everyone. It always surprises me who turns up at my releaseparties. So be sure and include neighbors, friends, work colleagues (yours andyour spouse’s), church members, hairdressers, people you’ve met casually whoknow you’re an author. Make a list and add to it as you think of others youwant to include. · Who will provide books – you or a bookstore? Order well in advance ofthe event if you will be providing your own books. · What type of party – Theme-related parties are fun using elementsfrom your book. Begin jotting down ideas for decorations and if you will have areading, a skit, music (live or background music). What unique angle does yourbook have? Play that up. For my debut book, ChasingLilacs, we had a fifties-themed party that I documented here. · When – Set a date that is close to your release date and get it on thecalendar as early as possible. · Where – A church, bookstore, restaurant party room, museum, art gallery, orany place that is unique to your book and would lend atmosphere are all goodchoices. Bookstores may restrict you on decorating and entertainment, but theyoffer ease in having books available. Securing a location and coordinating thedate go hand in hand and should be one of your first moves. Courtney Walsh heldher launch in an art gallery. Read about it here: And here: · Why have a release party? – See first paragraph. Chances are you are notthe only one invested in your writing venture. This should be a time of celebrationfor your cheering squad. · How Much? Make a budget that’s within your means. Jot down the major costs(food, decorations, publicity, rental of facility if applicable, giveaways). Itadds up fast, and chances are you will spend more than you budget, but thisgives you a starting place. Save your receipts for tax purposes later! PUBLICITY - Ways to invite people.· Personal invitations (postcards with yourbook cover work great) – I’ve found these to be most effective since peoplehave a physical reminder they can tape to the fridge or tuck in a purse.There’s just something about a personal invitation that makes people feelwelcome. · Create events on FB or GoodReads.· Newspaper ads and/or press releases. Thisworks especially well in small to mid-sized towns. · Newsletters: Your author newsletter orthose of your church and writing groups· Local radio station. TV if you’re reallylucky! · E-vites· Flyers and posters
ENLIST HELPERS – Friends. Relatives. Your church’ssocial committee. Children. I always give my grandchildren jobs at my releaseparties – passing out slips of paper for the drawings, collecting cups andplates from guests, even taking pictures. They love it! Don’t be shy aboutasking for help. People become invested in your career when asked to help. Somejobs you can delegate: · Greeters to welcome guests.· Refreshments – Baking cookies, making sandwiches,set up and serving. Catering is great, but not always in the budget. You’llhave a lot more fun if you’re not preparing the food. · Set-up and Clean-up – A great job for teensand kiddos. Cash is a nice motivator. · Decorating – Do ahead of time if possible.Provide materials and props and let creative friends help. Ask permission ifyou are in a bookstore. · Photography – Have more than one persontake pics if possible. Take a lot of random photos and pose with readers. · Sales – If you are in charge of sellingyour own books, enlist help to take money and fill out receipts (important fortax records). If your event is in a book store, they will handle sales. · Drawings for giveaways – I have a smallform to capture addresses and emails for future mailings and my data base, butletting someone else pass these out and collect them is a huge help! The slipsof paper can then used to draw for prizes. LOGISTICS: Party Time· GuidingPrinciple: It’s all about the readers and guests. Provide a festive atmospherethat invites people to mingle. Make sure guests feel welcome from the minutethey walk in the door.
· Have aschedule. Will you sign books the whole time or chat with guests before movingto the author table? When will you hold drawings for the door prizes (PeopleLOVE door prizes!)? Let guests know so they can plan how long they will stay.
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| Door Prize Baskets |
HAVE FUN! Releasing a new book is a day to rejoice. Enjoy it. Visitwith your guests. Pose for pictures. Laugh. This is a day for you .. . and your readers. Treat them to a wonderful day, and they will be countingthe days until your next book releases!
Carla Stewart’s writing reflects her passion for timesgone by. A child of the fifties and sixties, she recalls it as a glorious timewhen the summers were lazy, colors were brighter, and music filled her heart.Carla’s desire is to take readers back to the times when they knew they wereloved, to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.” Her award-winning novels include Chasing Lilacs and Broken Wings. Stardust is her newest release. She loves readers andparticipating in book club discussions. You can learn more about Carla and waysto connect with her at www.carlastewart.com.About STARDUST:
In the bayoucountry of East Texas, the neon sign of the STARDUST stands silent, no longerbeckoning visitors to its cozy cottages. But two days after Georgia Peytonburies her unfaithful husband, a curious thing happens: the STARDUST signsputters to life and winks at her. Sustained by a memory from the past anddetermined to build a new life, Georgia acquires the STARDUST with hopes ofbreathing new life into it too. But the guests whoarrive aren't what Georgia expects: her gin-loving mother-in-law; her deadhusband's mistress; an attractive drifter who's tired of the endless road; andan aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia's past.Dreams of a new life are crippled amid the havoc. Georgia's only hope is thatshe can find the courage to forgive those who've betrayed her, the grace toshelter those who need her, and the moxie to face the future. One thing iscertain: under the flickering neon of the STARDUST, none of their lives willever be the same.
Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for Carla's book along with two authentic Southern pecan pralines from East Texas.
You can find Carla here: My website: www.carlastewart.comFollow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/ChasingLilacsFaceBook:http://www.facebook.com/carlastewartauthorGoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3335371.Carla_StewartPinterest:http://pinterest.com/chasinglilacs/ Amazon link to Stardust: StardustVideo Trailer:
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