Blogger: Rachel Kent
I am out of the office today, so I will not be able to comment, but I hope you enjoy this post.
Last Saturday, I was honored to be a part of Sarah Sundin’s launch party for Through Waters Deep. I actually ended up teaching swing dancing with the help of my amazing brother. The lesson was brief, but the students were really quick to learn the steps and everyone had fun! Sarah did a reading, signed books, and mingled with her friends and fans. There was a very large crowd and the bookstore manager told me after the party that she was very happy with how the party went. A successful event for all!
It’s funny how my dance lesson time came to be. Sarah was already planning to have her launch party at a Barnes & Noble near her home, and while we were discussing the party on a marketing call with the publishing house, the publicist said two or three times, “Sarah, I wish you knew someone who could teach swing dancing at your party.” I was quietly debating if I should say anything about knowing swing because I did teach swing as a junior instructor more than FIFTEEN(!!!) years ago. I finally told them of my hidden and unused talent and volunteered my brother to help me to teach at the party. Everyone was happy–except for my brother, but he got over it and enjoyed the lesson. 🙂
Here are some pictures and videos from the event:
What fun! That is the kind of launch I would enjoy, anyway. I’ve been to a few release events (sans author) and what made those worthwhile was the friends I was with more than the activities provided. But I think I would have enjoyed Ms. Sundin’s launch with friends or solo! Thanks for sharing all this, Rachel.
It was a lot of fun! All my friends were talking about how much fun they had dancing.
That looks like great fun! I loved Sarah’s book, With Every Letter … the ending was so great! I look forward to reading more of her works.
Thank you, Shelli! I’m so glad you enjoyed With Every Letter!
What an awesome party! Congrats, Sarah! And Rachel, I didn’t know you could swing dance. How fun!
In that marketing call, Rachel quietly said, “You know…I used to teach swing dance.” I believe my response was, “NO! I did NOT know!” There are many layers to this agent 🙂
Congratulations to Sarah on the book launch. I wish book launches near me were half as fun! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! We had a great time!
Way, way cool!
Thanks, Andrew! It’s such a treat to work with such generous, creative, and energetic people!
So fun! I love how many people got into the spirit and participated.
They really did! We had a high school music group perform while people were arriving – and the kids all participated! In the video you can see my friend Susan dancing with her 12-year-old grandson…and you can see Janet and Michelle cutting the rug 🙂 It was a blast!
I think I see Jenni Brummett in there, too! 🙂
Michelle laughing because she could NOT figure out how to twirl Janet in the right direction!
Thank you for teaching the dancing, Rachel – and for bringing the majority of the Books & Such team to the party! Perfect example of the “and Such” in Books & Such. Talk about a full-service agency!!
I love your hidden talent, Rachel! I wish I could have been there.
I had a friend come in and teach the Charleston at my 1920s-themed launch party a few years ago. It made the evening so much fun!
I wish I could have been at your party! And your dance idea inspired me!
This is awesome, Rachel!! Way to go and step out with a skill to help Sarah! It does look like the party was a blast. I wish I lived close enough to attend! It must be such fun to brainstorm and hold these book launch parties. I know y’all had a great time!
Since Rachel is busy, I’ll ask you, Sarah, about how the ideas for your launch parties start? Have all your parties been different or similar?
And, others here, what is your advice to decide on the proper launch party for your genre/settings, etc.? What is the most unique launch party ideas you’ve seen out there?
I’d love to hear about it!
I’ve had three. The first was for my first novel – rented a room at my church, had refreshments, did giveaways, played 1940s music overhead.
The second was for Blue Skies Tomorrow, which featured the historic El Campanil Theatre on the cover. We had the party at the theater on their classic movie night, showed “The Best Years of Our Lives,” had popcorn, and did giveaways during intermission. I loved the cross-promotion, and so did the theater!
Those are all great!! I especially love the theater one! All fabulous ideas, Sarah! 🙂
Swing dancing in Barnes & Noble! Gotta love it. Congratulations on a successful launch party, Sarah.
It was a blast! As soon as Rachel suggested it, I wanted it!! I’ve worked with the Community Resource Manager at my local B&N for numerous events, so I knew she was savvy, creative, and fun. Sure enough, she adored the idea – and made it happen! It was a team effort.
That is my kind of launch party!! So much fun! And I would be dancing for sure! Congrats to Susan on the launch of her latest book!!
Thanks, Gay! It was so much fun!
Another reason for having an agent! Although I think this falls under the above-and-beyond category. Congratulations, Sarah, on having such a good launch party AND having such a supportive agent!
Above and WAY beyond 🙂 Definitely not in the contract! But it goes to show just how much Books & Such agents support their clients.
What a great idea, not only to give the dancers a good time but to post videos here. A special treat for me is that I spotted my new friend from the OCW summer conference, Jenni Brummett, in the crowd.
Yes, Jenni came – and a long drive too! We both belong to ACFW San Francisco Bay.
Sarah, Karen and I were happy to come your direction for once. We now realize how far you travel to attend our ACFW group. Loved celebrating with you!
Fabulous! Okay, Sarah – I expect lessons at ACFW!
Ha. No. Sadly, I missed most of the lesson while signing books – a good problem to have 🙂
Ha! My brother would be upset too. That sounds like such a fun launch party. It was a good thing the book store was large enough to dance in, our local stores are both tiny. Perhaps a boardgaming lesson, instead???
Rachel’s comment about her brother cracked me up! But he was a very good sport. My husband (who hates dancing with a passion) conveniently had to be in Phoenix 🙂 I roped my 17-year-old son into dancing with me instead!
Rachel, you and your brother did a great job leading us. It was thrilling to experience this fun event with Sarah.
Sarah, the compassion and kindness you showed to your readers was a sight to behold. You made each person who approached you feel special by giving them your full attention and a warm smile. Thanks for setting an example of how the Lord wants us to lavish His love on others.
Thanks, Jenni! I’m just honored and amazed by all the wonderful support from reading friends. Best people in the world 🙂
That looks like fun and a good time by all. I wish I could’ve been there. Can’t wait to read Through the Deep Waters.
My son learned the swing, meringue, fox trot, tango, and the waltz during Dancing Classrooms this past year. At first, he didn’t want to participate but in the end he had fun. The students even had a performance for us parents at the end of the class. It was fun watching them all.
How fun! When I took dance class in 8th grade, they taught us the Hustle. Yes, it was 1978, in the middle of a dark, dark decade. So sadly, I never learned the fun stuff.
Grew up in the era of swing dancing which I believe now is called “shag”. Love to watch the old swing from earlier 40’s movies with the Andrews Sisters and the Big Bands.
It’s such fun and such great exercise too. I’m glad it’s undergoing a resurgence in the younger generation!
What a great idea. So much fun and a great way to mingle.
I’d love to go to something like that.