Leave it to me to have a new book coming out a few days before we leave on vacation. Actually, if you think about it, the timing shouldn’t be a surprise. I’ve had books release the day after my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, and right around the time of the Passover seder, which I host. So a few days prior to vacation should be neither a surprise nor a big deal.
Except that it is. I have a new book coming out! That event is always exciting, whether or not it’s my first. I just looked, and it’s actually my fourteenth! Wow.
Releasing a book is a lot of work. It involves much more than just writing it. After the entire process of writing, editing, cover design, formatting, etc. is complete, comes the marketing. And that starts prior to the launch date.
From the moment I received my release date—March 2—I’ve been working on my marketing plan. I contacted other authors to see if I could be a guest on their blogs. Being a guest blogger gives me the chance to talk about something related to my book, or introduce myself, to their audience. It means a lot of content writing, since I don’t want to say the same thing on everyone’s blogs.
I revealed my cover on my Instagram account—and on other Instagrammers' accounts who were kind enough to share. Some of those Instagrammers even created cool graphics about my book, which was awesome!
I contacted people to read the book in advance and provide me with reviews on release day. I also provided my books to review sites, in the hopes that they’ll write a positive review and people will buy it. Hopefully, they did and will remember to post it on Wednesday or soon after.
My website has been, and will be, updated to include the new book and buy links. Same with my Facebook page, my Facebook reader’s group, my Twitter, and all my other social media accounts. I’ve stretched my graphics ability about as far as I can, creating them to announce my cover, the preorder links, and soon, the release of the book.
I mailed postcards announcing my upcoming book to almost everyone for whom I have a mailing address—sorry/not sorry for the junk mail.
I even put the previous book on sale for 99 cents to encourage readers and hopefully gain follow through. And of course, I've kept my newsletter mailing list up to date with my latest news.
All of those things take time. It’s part of the whole “being an author” thing, and it’s fun but exhausting. And scary. Because the part I love about being an author is creating the story. The part I love less is trying to convince people to buy my book or get it from their library. But it’s a necessary part of the process, so I do it.
Now, all that’s left is for me to finish up a few blog posts, and then sit and wait and hope all of you buy my book.
I hope you will. And if you do buy it and read it, I hope you’ll post a review to Goodreads, Amazon, or social media. Or tell your friends about it. That’s the best way for you to help me. Thank you!
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