Running a Physical Book Launch (Fiction)

By Christine Dillon @ACWriters

Last week I shared my experience in running the physical book launches for my traditionally published non-fiction books. Today I'm talking about the opposite: launching my first self-published novel, Grace in Strange Disguise.

I found launching fiction harder than my non-fiction. This may have been because I no longer had a publisher behind me. However, I think it was also because fiction is a more personal thing rather than something based on an area of expertise.

The ‘how to’s’ of fiction will also depend on your genre. I looked on in envy at those who wrote historical fiction and thus could have fun with ‘fancy dress’ in the era of the book’s setting.

I took my time planning for my book launch, thinking about why I wanted to do a physical launch and therefore what elements would bring about my purpose.

Why?

Fiction was a new thing for me. I wanted to launch it properly so potential buyers would notice it. I also wanted to ‘reward’ people who had been behind me during the four and a half year gestation.

My non-fiction work with Bible storytelling had also demonstrated to me the power of ‘story’ and I knew that the ‘story behind the book’ was powerful. All my life when I bought a piece of artwork or similar, it was the ‘story behind it’s crafting’ or the ‘story of the artist’ that really made me want to buy the product.

Since my novel was Christian fiction, this was another way to minister to people and give a testimony of God’s character and work.

I wanted people to leave the launch saying, “Don’t we serve an amazing God.”

My book launch: Saturday 18 November, 2-4 p.m.

1. Warm welcome & prayer

2. ‘Story behind the story’ interview

• You never intended to write a novel what happened to change your mind?
• You didn't spring immediately into action, why not?
• It took you 4 1/2 and a half years to write and edit your novel. What kept you going?
• What was the process of writing a novel?
• You struggled to know how fiction fits in your life. Why have you struggled?
• What is self-publishing and why have you chosen that route?
• Why write this story? Why write a question fiction? Christian fiction?
• What has God taught you?

3. Q and A

I allowed the audience to ask their questions.

4. Book reading

I read the prologue and first chapter

5. Competition

Along the way we had a competition to name some characters for the next book. I described the characters and they could write down a name and will ‘win’ an acknowledgement in the next book and a free copy of book 2.

I also gave away some ‘thank you’ copies of the book to people like my editors, the cover designer and those who were a significant part of the book like the lady who I interviewed about breast cancer and the woman who designed my website. I wove these gifts into the ‘story’ of the book’s process.

6. Prayer

We had a prayer time to conclude which is very unusual but fits because of my ‘normal’ job (as a missionary) and how I view my writing. It also included a prayer that I would not be negatively changed by being an ‘author’.

Reflections

Timing

Mid-November turned out to be a good time because people were already thinking about Christmas presents’. Saturday afternoon mostly avoided the children’s sport issue and ensured more people were available since they’re often out in the evenings on a weekend. I would use this time again.

Interview

An interview is much easier to listen to than a monologue. I chose a good interviewer and we worked on the questions upfront. The questions focused on allowing attendees to take the spiritual journey with me. Obviously you wouldn’t have this focus when releasing a general market book but there are still plenty of questions about how your got the inspiration and the process of research and writing that would interest people.

Question and Answer time

This is a good time to learn what interests your audience. It gets them involved and increases their desire to support you (or not). I would definitely include this next time.

Book reading

I included this because when I asked around people expected it. Obviously with a young children’s book you could read more or perhaps the entire book. The key I think is for this not to be longer than ten minutes.

Competitions

These are fun and if it can be something that increases the audience’s connection with your books, even better. It could even be something like ‘vote’ on the title for the next book in the series or …

Thank you gifts

It is so hard to adequately thank all those who have been a part of the team. Keep this short and sweet and if possible weave it in and include bits of the ‘story behind’ the story with each presentation.

A general principle for me has been to involve as many people as possible and acknowledge them in some way.

What elements would you include in a physical book launch? Why?

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction and now, fiction.

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

Running a Physical Book Launch (Non-fiction)

By Christine Dillon @ACWriters

There are many types of book launches. Nowadays and especially in the world of independent publishing (indie) the main kind is the online ‘release’ date of the book.

In contrast, this article is going to focus on the kind of event where people physically turn up.

Purpose of a physical book launch

As the name implies, it is to send your book out into the world with a bit of a bang rather than letting the event happen without anyone knowing.

It allows you to tell the story behind the book and create buzz. Hopefully it also allows you to sell lots of physical copies of your book and gain new fans.

Timing of a book launch

Generally the closer to the actual publication day the better. However, my fiction launch was six weeks after the online book release. This allowed some of the attendees to have already read the book. They came and bought more copies for relatives, friends … obviously this won’t happen if they don’t like the book. They functioned as a group of walking book advertisements.

What do you actually do at a book launch?

The short answer is, it depends on what kind of book you’re launching.

Non-fiction is generally easier, especially if it is on some sort of speciality area. My first two books were traditionally published non-fiction on the ‘how to’ topics of Bible storytelling and discipling others. The problem was that both of them were released overseas - UK and US. Thus, there was no physical ‘launch’. One of the publishers did arrange four radio interviews for me.

It wasn’t until the second one was translated and published into Chinese that I was physically present to launch.

It turned out to be a big series of events. The publisher asked me to prepare a seminar based on the content of the book. We decided two hours was a reasonable length.

I was able to adapt material from the many training seminars I’d done. My launches were interactive seminars but lectures may also be appropriate.

In the end, I did seven ‘official’ (publisher arranged) book tour seminars. On top of that, I arranged a further six in smaller towns. The publisher printed posters to advertise the book launch tour, internet … and did all the booking of venues … all I had to do was turn up. They also paid travel expenses.

The key to seminars is to do enough to make people hungry for more. If you cover everything in your book then they are unlikely to see any reason to buy it!

I’d already been an ‘author’ for six years when I did this first tour. God really stepped in because four days before the first and biggest seminar (220 attendees), I had my appendix removed. By God’s grace and the kindness of the publisher (providing a bar stool for me to sit on rather than having to stand), I made it through.

Two years later, I did another tour of mostly the same places. Many who attended the second one had attended the first. We sold many additional copies of the first book at the second launch even though they were on different topics.

If your book has elements of history, biography or memoir, then you can give ‘teaser’ sections. The key is to always leave the hearers wanting more.

Practical Hints 

• Have someone else sell the books for you after the launch as this allows you to focus on book signings and talking to those attending.
• Think hard about where to put your sales and signing table. I place them so that everyone has to pass them. Have an assistant to help you do such small things as open the book to the correct page to sign.
• Think beforehand about the kind of things you’ll write before signing your name. I find it difficult to merely sign my name and so usually write a short blessing. For my Chinese book launches I prepared a special ink stamp and my assistant did that and then I simply signed.
• Afternoon tea is a good way to end. It gives a sense of closure, allows people to linger and gives you the possibility of actually getting to talk to people. It can also be a way to thank people for coming.
• Consider whether hype can be built using radio or newspaper interviews beforehand.
• If your book is for the general market, consider where to launch and who to work in with. For example, libraries or a business related to the topic of your book. The more involvement with others usually the better because those partners can help you launch the book further.

Things I wish I’d done

Had yet another table with an assistant and a computer to encourage people to sign up on the spot to join my email subscribers. Those attending are already ‘fans’. Helping them to make that ‘official’ while they remember and have someone to assist them with technology is a smart move.

I will be back next week to talk about my experiences with a different kind of book launch: launching my self-published novel, Grace in Strange Disguise.

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction and now, fiction.

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

Book Launch Party Planning

Last month saw the long awaited Australian book launch for my recently released Regency The Elusive Miss Ellison. Miss Ellison released in the US back in February, and we had an online launch party then, but apparently it takes a very long time for books to get from the US to Australia!

I’ve been scouring sites such as ACW for months, looking for ideas on what might work on a limited budget, as this was my initiative, and therefore my responsibility. Of course, in the midst of all my info gathering I was praying for God to lead me to make wise choices, and now it’s done, I look back and realise how God was helping me with so many things, even before I knew I’d have a book to launch.

What is your Regency name?

About eighteen months ago we moved to a new church, and over time I came to learn that one of the young women who attends runs our local Christian bookstore. She is an avid reader, and someone who really enjoys Georgette Heyer, so we quickly hit it off 😀. When she realised I was a Christian author with a book due to be published she offered her support.

Me and my 'Mr Darcy'

Originally I’d been thinking how nice it would be to hold the launch party at a historic venue in the area, something to help create the ambiance I wanted for my historical novel. Once I saw the prices they wanted to charge per head, and the rigmarole associated with getting exact numbers, I soon realised this would not be feasible, with those doors needing to remain closed.  😥

Time for tea!

My friend (let’s call her Brooke) somehow managed to read an early copy of Miss Ellison and loved it, so her interest quickly moved from polite curiosity to enthusiastic support. That support soon swelled from thoughts about an in-store book signing to a Regency-inspired book launch, held at the church, where Brooke had managed to pre-sell nearly 50 copies of my book, just to congregation members! Having read it and enjoyed it, she was able to encourage so many of the ladies at our church to pre-order a copy, which in turn generated their excitement and interest in my novel, and willingness to support, via buying copies for their friends and family members, encouraging others to attend, helping set up the day before, and even baking delectable goodies for the afternoon tea. What a blessing!

Props for the Regency photo booth

On the day we had the usual book launch things, such as an author interview, a book reading, the opportunity for books to be signed, even a live Facebook stream (video here), but we took things a few steps further. There were people dressed in Regency attire, opportunity for people to create their own Regency name and locale (Lady Maria Edgerton, of Dalmouth Castle, anyone?), we had a Regency quiz, a Regency conversation game (filled with one-liners from books by Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and yours truly), even a Regency photo booth! Lots of people commented on how much they enjoyed themselves, and I hope they come to associate fun and humour with reading my work.

I truly could not have done this without the support of Brooke and the people of my church. If I’d pushed ahead with doing things the way I’d originally envisaged, it would have been far smaller, far more stressful, far more complicated, and far more expensive. I'd anticipated that maybe 50 people might attend, maybe 70 if I was really fortunate. As it was there were over 100 (!) people in attendance, something neither I nor any hired venue could have coped with had I gone ahead with my original plans, and so many more people meant so many more book sales and pre-orders for book 2! 

Listening to the author interview

It’s funny isn’t it, how often what we think ‘will do’ proves to be less than what God wants for us. Our God is a good God, and His plans for us are for good and not for evil (Jeremiah 29.11). Our God is a mighty, powerful God. We may have many plans in our heart but it is God’s will that prevails (Proverbs 19.21).

Miss Ellison’s book launch once again proved the importance of trusting our faithful God to open the right doors at the right time. After all, “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3.19).

So be encouraged! Trust God. He will open the right doors, and close the wrong ones.

He wants more for us than we realise.

How about you? Have you seen God surprise you by surpassing your expectations?

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked part-time as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novel 'The Elusive Miss Ellison' released in the US in February 2017, and is available at Amazon.com, CBD, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository and Koorong. Her second novel ‘The Captivating Lady Charlotte’ releases June 27 and  is available for preorder now.

Connect with her:    www.carolynmillerauthor.com

                                 www.pinterest.com/camillering

  www.facebook.com/CarolynMillerAuthor/

  twitter.com/CarolynMAuthor

Library Love

by Jeanette O'Hagan

My first memory of a library was a small room, about the size of a broom cupboard, at the Mt Isa Mines State School. It was grade 3, I didn't have friends to play with during the breaks. A teacher introduced me to the library, and I took to reading like silverfish to paper.  By the time I left that school at the end of Grade 4, I think I'd read every title on the shelf, including The Last of the Mohicans. (My school reports often suggested that I needed to read more to improve my atrocious spelling, much to the amusement of my mother, who had limited me to reading one book a day).

These days, I frequent our local library, putting books on hold or browsing the return shelves for great books to read. I not sure I could manage the Popsugar Reading challenges without the library's help. I've even been thrilled to find copies from authors I know personally on the shelves - Helene Young, Rosanne Hawke, Adele Jones, Paula Vince. Libraries help with my book budget. They mean I can walk into my bedroom with only a few (okay four) groaning bookcases and (five-ish) to-read book piles on my floor and desk.

Libraries are great for authors too:

Unlike second-hand and thrift shop books, libraries pay royalties to authors. While this isn't as much as royalties through the sale of the book, for some authors it can be significant as a book may be borrowed many times.

Readers can also request the librarian get in books and even take suggestions for book club sets. By requesting books by our favourite Australasian Christian authors - we then make those books more visible and available to other readers.

Writers may also approach libraries with their books, either as a potential sale or as a donation. Generally, the book will need an ISBN, and be registered with NLA and preferably be with a library distributor - but a many indie authors have had success in approaching local or regional libraries.


In Australia, the National Library of Australia (NLA) keeps a copy of all books published in Australia and/or Australian Authors. Your local State Library will expect a copy as well.

Charis Joy Jackson, Lynne Stringer and Jeanette O'Hagan at BOBY 2015

I'm not sure if there is anything similar in other States - but in Queensland, the Queensland Writers' Centre (QWC) and State Library of Queensland (SLQ) produce a catalogue of all Queensland books published in the year - Books in Our Back Yard (registrations are currently open until the end of the month for 2016 publications). They hold an event to launch the catalogue, with the books in the catalogue displayed on the SLQ shelves.

Libraries often hold book clubs meetings, meet-the-author or book themed events. They often have rooms available for hire that can be used for writers' groups, book launches and author talks.  Holding a book event in a library has obvious advantages, especially if the librarians help promote the event - as most people who frequent libraries also love books. (Some may be be there to level up their pokemon.)

I think we are blessed in Australia and New Zealand to have so many free council libraries, as well as the State and National Libraries.

What about you? Do you use your local library? What do you like about it?

I know that some of you have had experiences with book launches and events at libraries and would love to hear about your experiences. Have you any advice on how best to approach libraries?

Images © Jeanette O'Hagan

Jeanette O’Hagan first started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of nine. She enjoys writing fiction, poetry, blogging and editing.

Jeanette is writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements. She is about to launch Lakwi's Lament: a short story next week and she recently launched Heart of the Mountain: a short novella and The Herbalist's Daughter: a short story. Other short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and, more recently, a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

You can find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes .

A Debut Book Launch Party - Kara Isaac

This year has been a year of firsts. My debut novel, Close To You, released in April and then I had my first ever book launch in late May to celebrate. I thought I'd share a few photos of the event which was held in Wellington, New Zealand with about 70 friends and family a few weeks ago :) 

My sister and in-laws flew in from Australia and my grandmother from out of town :)

A trope of singing elves made a surprise appearance

I thanked a LOT of people but probably not nearly all everyone who deserved it!

I had never been to a book launch in my life but I was informed two things were compulsory - signing books and doing a reading. So I signed a lot of books :)

And my husband did a reading in an indeterminable accent that had definite mafia undertones :)

I had an amazing night, tumbled into bed shortly after midnight only for the two-year-old to decide that the next day should begin at 5am! Alas, the budget for my next book launch in October isn't nearly as healthy (and I'll be eight months pregnant!) so I'm going to have to come up with some new ideas! Have you ever been to any book launch parties? What are your favourite things?

Kara Isaac lives in Wellington, New Zealand. Her debut romantic comedy, Close To You, is about a disillusioned academic-turned-tour-guide and an entrepreneur who knows nothing about Tolkien who fall in love on a Tolkien themed tour of New Zealand. When she's not working her day job as a public servant, chasing around a ninja preschooler and his feisty toddler sister, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She loves to connnect on her website, on Facebook at Kara Isaac - Writer and Twitter @KaraIsaac

Book Launch Wrap Up (and a giveaway)

I had the most wonderful time at my book launch last Sunday so I thought I'd share some photos with you.  Apart from being uncharacteristically nervous before everyone arrived, I soon relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was difficult meeting so many new people - not easy for an introvert - and even more difficult when I didn't recognize people. Did you know that no-one looks anything like their Facebook profile photos?!  Fortified by Pepsi Max and chocolate I managed to smile and meet and greet nearly 80 people who turned out for the event. It exceeded my expectations and I was blown away by the love and support of the people in the room - some family, some friends and some strangers. One highlight (there were so many) was meeting a gorgeous woman in her 80's. She bowled up to me and announced I had looked after her in the emergency department a few months earlier. I remembered her then - she was reading a rural romance book and we had a lovely discussion about books and I told her I was an author. She told me she found out my name and asked her son to track me down. It turns out he is an avid reader and had one of my books on his Kindle which he had read and enjoyed. He heard about the book launch (no idea how) and brought his Mum along. Even better, she won a book in the door prize! I've already decided she's also 'won' a part as a minor character in my next book! (Her name is Fleur, so look out for her!) Of course the other highlight was having Andrea Grigg play such a large part in the day. I was so blessed she flew down from Queensland to share the occasion with me. I know many others were with me in spirit. After my husband welcomed everyone, Andrea asked me some questions about my book and the inspiration for my characters then hit me with twenty "off the top of my head" questions. I thought I'd share them with you. Who is your favourite female character from your books so far? Mackenzie Kennedy-Jones (Intensive Care) Favourite male character? Matt Robertson (The Peppercorn Project) Which genre do you enjoy reading apart from romance? Legal thrillers ED or ICU? Tough call - love them both - Emergency Department. Name three authors you'd love to meet. Jodi Picoult, Lee Child, John Grisham What household chore do you hate the most? ALL! Favourite take away. Fish and chips. Favourite movie. The Notebook. How did you meet Tim? At school. Was it love at first sight? Definitely not! Name 3 people from history you'd like to have dinner with. Princess Diana, Florence Nightingale, Michelle Obama What kind of music do you listen to? Worship and Classical Hobbies apart from writing. None! Tea or coffee? Neither - haven't tasted either. Sweet or Savoury? Definitely sweet. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi Max Would you like to do more study? If so, what? Yes. Education. Worst part of your job. Not knowing how a patient is after they've left ICU or ED and hoping their recovery  went well. Would you ever get a tattoo? Definitely not!! After it was all over, although I felt like I could sleep for a week, we went out to dinner and celebrated with my gorgeous family. On Monday Andrea and I went out to search for my book on the shelves in store. Friends had already been sharing their "shelfies" including this one of my friend Cindy's daughter Ruby who apparently squealed so loudly when she saw my book that she could be heard across the other side of the store!    I don't look quite as excited as Ruby, but I assure you, I was dancing on the inside! How gorgeous does it look on the shelves at K-Mart?  Even more exciting was this photo sent to me by Jeff Townsend who found it in the Number 1 spot at Big W in Orange! But the highlight of the entire release of The Peppercorn Project was this photo sent to me by my friend Jane. This is her beautiful Mum on the eve of her 94th birthday sitting up in bed with her hair all done ready for her big day. She's already caught up in the story!  It doesn't get better than this, and that's why I write. Although I already have three books and a novella out in e-book and print on demand format, the buzz of seeing my book on the shelves is incomparable - it somehow makes it feel more 'real'. The promotion journey continues with magazine articles ('Yours' and 'Take 5') and newspaper features ('Melbourne Herald Sun' on 18th June and 'The Weekly Review') plus more guest blog posts scheduled for the next few weeks. It's a busy time. And then of course I need to do the edits for Critical Condition which comes out in September and edits for Operation Mistletoe Magic which comes out in November and then Leah needs a story of her own too. Who agrees? I'd love to give away a copy of The Peppercorn Project (paperback) to bless someone. To enter, you need to tell me who is your favourite hero and heroine from one of my books or novella! Easy! Please head to my website www.nickiedwards.com.au to sign up to my newsletter.  Purchase links to all my books can be found below: Amazon (Australia): http://bit.ly/1RhhTSX Amazon (US): http://amzn.to/1T4Tm8p Amazon (Uk): http://amzn.to/1S2jC1e iBooks: http://apple.co/1XxhQad Kobo: http://bit.ly/20e996e