Blogger: Wendy Lawton
I recently read an article about a business that does nothing but help engineer out-of-the-box marriage proposals. Apparently there is more pressure than ever to create a never-to-be-forgotten event in which to pop the question. In the article, Vanessa Kiely of WeddingIndustryExperts.com said,”With the spread of social media, people feel not only pressured to take their proposals to a new level but excited by the possibilities of doing something truly original. They want a story they can share for years to come.”
It made me think about engineering fabulous book launches.
Several Books & Such clients (secretly known as Bookies) have recently had wonderful book launches. They’ve pulled out all the stops to make the day special. Forget popping the question. Nothing is more worthy of celebrating these days than having a book published. And if it is your debut book? It’s time to pull out all the stops.
A book launch is the perfect way to not only have the fun of the event, but to thank all those who’ve journeyed with you and to give you something to talk about in social media. Another reasons to have a unique launch is to potentially interest the media. It’s very hard to get your newspaper or television station to come to an event but you can often get the echo effect of media coverage afterward. Some authors have worked a philanthropic angle into their launch which always interests the media. Others do something so unique the media just have to cover it.
I thought it would be fun today to hear from all of you, both published and not-yet-published. If you’ve already done a great book launch, tell us your story. What was the day like? Who came? Was the launch themed to the book? Were you able to have any media coverage? If you have a launch coming up, tell us your plans. If you’re not there yet, dream big! Show us what your perfect book launch event would look like.
TWEETABLES:
Book Launch? What’s that? Literary agent @wendylawton explains. Click to Tweet
Why not go all out with your next book launch? Click to Tweet
lisa
I can’t wait to come back and hear about others book launches! That day… when it comes will be so exciting 🙂 My fiction and non-fiction has a service element to it, so I know I will work that into whatever I do. I have a running list of ideas! I can’t wait to give back and to thank the people that have stuck so close to me.
Wendy Lawton
It’s nice to anticipate and do some pre-planning, especially since you may have to budget a little bit of your advance for this.
Meghan Carver
Your mention of a philanthropic angle now has my wheels a-turning, Wendy. Like Lisa, I’m anxious to check back throughout the day and read what others have done. Thanks for starting the conversation.
Wendy Lawton
If your book has a theme that lends itself to connecting with a charity it is a perfect partnership. For instance if your story had a homeless character, connecting with your local rescue mission would make sense. Launching your book after serving dinner to the hungry would be a two-fold event– one that could have the media shining light on both your book and the work of the mission.
Anne Love
Oh man are my wheels turning! Great ideas!
Lindsay Harrel
I haven’t yet been to a book launch but will be attending my craft partner’s (Melissa Tagg) when her debut releases from Bethany House next month! I am looking forward to seeing how one actually comes together. 🙂
Wendy Lawton
It’s always so much more fun when our writing friends come.
Sally Bradley
I confess to coming up blank on this one, I think.
I live in a small town. No bookstore for miles. But I know a couple of my librarians, and I’m sure they’d be willing to host a party. So I think my focus would be on the local community and seeing what I could do to get people in the area to come out. Our local paper would definitely cover that.
Would it be fun to show pictures of my characters and have people guess who’s who? If they’ve read the book, it sure wouldn’t be hard for them to figure it out based on hair color and such, but it might be an opportunity to read little snippets about the characters in the book and wet people’s appetites for more.
Hm, the wheels are turning now…
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Sally,
I like the idea of having pictures of the characters and “snippets” about them. It will excite and entice those who haven’t read the book yet.
I have a suggestion that is a reflection of my own goofiness, so feel free to dismiss it completely if it doesn’t resonate with you. What if you had more than pictures of the characters? What if the characters came to the launch? Have some acting-inclined friends come in character. As they mingle with the guests, they can introduce themselves and reveal a little of their story as a part of the “conversation” with other guests.
I wish you all the best with your launch when you’re ready to have it.
Wendy Lawton
Good thinking, Sally. Besides you have the seeds for a wonderful writer’s talk. The bigger bookstores often like to have visiting writers speak to aspiring writers in their area. Talking about how to build characters would be fascinating.
Sally Bradley
And there is a pretty important character that I build just because he needed to exist for my plot to work. That’s not normal for me. So that could be very interesting…
Jenni Brummett
What if you displayed possible images of your characters as children? Like that game where people bring a picture of themselves as a child, and the rest of the group guesses which person and picture go together.
Wendy Lawton
Fun twist, Jenni.
Sally Bradley
Ooo, I like! I could do that.
Jeanne T
Now look at the brainstorming you unleashed, Sally! I love all these ideas your comment generated.
Sally Bradley
Yes, and thanks to those who brainstormed with me. You’re all coming to my book launch to see your ideas in action, right? 😉
Jeanne T
I haven’t launched a book yet, but you’ve got me thinking I’m going to have to get creative, somehow. My friend, and Bookie, Beth Vogt, did some fun things for her debut novel’s book launch. She displayed her wedding dress (fit with the theme of her book), had a mini-Cooper there (key to the story) and some other book-themed activities and and props.
I’ve got friends who have highlighted an organization that helps certain groups of people as a part of their book launch. Loved seeing that.
I have no idea what I’ll do for mine. I’m going to have to think about how to launch it well.
Wendy Lawton
With one of my books I launched at our local Christian bookstore which had done a major redesign. I sent a press release to the newspapers that told about the local author visit and worked in all the info about the new look for the store. I also gave away one of the dolls I had designed after the character in the book (value $895.00). 🙂 We had huge attendance– some for me, some for the store, sold tons of books and had great media coverage.
Jeanne T
Now THAT’S successful on many levels, Wendy! How fun. 🙂 I would have loved to have seen one of your dolls.
Larry
Don’t forget your local bloggers, smaller papers, and the digital reporters for your local media: indeed, for the digital reporters, you could probably get footage from the book launch and merely email it to the digital reporters and they’ll put it on the website or do some article.
If your local media do their own “morning show” or weekend morning show programming, that is another place to send footage of your book launch; or invite the morning show folks to the book launch. Try to involve the issues of your city / town / etc. in the way your book launch party goes: for example, a historical love story launched in a historic building in the area, which means the reporter wouldn’t only be covering the book launch, but local history (give reporters more ways to cover your book launch and to connect it to their local audience).
Social Media:
YouTube, Vimeo, Vine: Here your book launch is way to engage, to showcase the glitz. That wonderful building you are hosting the party at? The costumes of your guests? Focus on that for these places.
Face Book, Twitter, Blog: Here is where you show you as the writer, personally engaging, letting your audience get to know you. If you speak at your launch party about the journey to become a writer, of being a writer, show it here. Funny moments of the launch party also good to show here.
The Party:
Your book has a cover, right? The book party could be the social and public first-look at your book, much like the book cover is the first thing readers notice about your book. You are showing who you are as a writer, so go easy on the wine……
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Good suggestions, Larry. Thanks. 🙂
Larry
Glad to help! 🙂
Wendy Lawton
Fabulous ideas, Larry. You are a natural marketer. (Is that your day job?)
Larry
Thank you for the kind words, Wendy.
(I do have some experience in the area, though I suppose it is the day job for every modern writer! 😉 )
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Thank you, Wendy, for this opportunity to dream and have fun. 🙂
My launch party is a couple years away at least since since the book isn’t ready to come out into the daylight yet, but you said we could go ahead and dream, so here is mine.
Since the book is a fantasy (which I’m sure everyone here is tired of hearing), I would to emphasize the fantasy elements.
The Atmosphere: Enchanted Forest with trees, plants, flowers, and moss Herbs are integral to the plot, so there would be pots of them. Cuttings of herbs would decorate the buffet tables as well. Background sound: rain and thunder (Siobhan, the main character, loves to make thunderstorms).
Lighting: Soft with a big full moon.
Decorations: A large dragon and a unicorn stand at opposite ends of the room. Napkins with a map of Cu Tailte (the setting) on them. Glasses: Medieval-type goblets. The table centerpiece: a large, ancient-looking book with an ornate cover and the title written in the Cu Tailte language.
Dress: Cloaks with hoods and / or flowing, faerie style clothes. Guests would have the option to wear t-shirts and jeans (my protagonist spends the summer in a human town and comes to enjoy how comfortable t-shirts and jeans are.
Food: (Since my faerie world is quite Irish in its inspiration) Scones, soda bread, and two desserts based on food in the book: Drachta Arsha (a faerie bread made with hazelnuts, cinnamon, and cloves) and Mililowara (a faerie pastry of nuts, spices, and honey. The drink would be herbal teas, especially mint / chamomile tea since its Siobhan’s favorite.
Background Music: Celtic music–instrumental and songs song in Irish.
Favors: Small stuffed unicorns and dragons. A small bag with an herb cutting and a card naming the uses of the herb. A card with a blessing with in the Cu Tailte language along with an English translation.
Prizes: A small bottle of Rose dew (rose-scented water), a small bottle of herbal protection (herbal-scented water), a large stuffed unicorn, a book on herbal gardening. Grand Prize: a hooded cloak.
Invitations: Picture on the front: a faerie, a dragon, and a unicorn. Inside, in script, the details of the invitation plus the blessing “Athas agus benachta!” (Joy and blessings!)
I also would like to tie in helping in some way those who are poor and can’t afford medical care, but I need to work out those details.
Athas agus benachta, everyone! 🙂
Wendy Lawton
I want to come! The fun thing is that fantasy or medieval fans love to dress up and know hoe to have fun becoming part of the fantasy.
I always say I don’t read fantasy (except C.S. Lewis and Tolkien) and I don’t seek to represent fantasy but even dinosaurs can change. My daughter encouraged me to watch Game of Thrones. I ended up ordering the George R. R. Martin books (Amazon sells them all as one download– it’s 3936 pages long). Who’d have guessed?
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
I’m so glad you would want to come, Wendy. You are definitely invited–whenever it happens. 🙂
I’m a huge Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fan. My story will in no way measure up to the greatness of their works, but their ability to weave theology into fantasy certainly has influenced my own writing and has given me a way to talk about God to people who would not read a more overtly spiritual book.
You are hardly a dinosaur. I’m glad, though, that you were open to giving Game of Thrones a chance and that you ended up liking it. Enjoy the books!
Larry
I would offer that “The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever” (the first two series, three books per series) are also a great choice, in the way that “The Twilight Zone” was more than mere Sci-Fi, but great storytelling.
Larry
A way to get local media might be to have members of a performing arts group provide the music, food from local farmers market, and so forth: make it as local as possible, and each part of that can be used to share your book with different groups, for example, guest-blogging on a blog (or digital column for local media) about eating local or about local arts (being a writer and having local performing arts group at the party).
Also, the food sounds wonderful! 🙂
Wendy Lawton
Larry– All great ideas, again, but let me riff on the idea of a farmer’s Market. The town next to have has a great one every Friday from May through October. Launching your book at a area-wide festival might really get it in the hands of huge crowds.
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Thanks, Larry. I agree with Wendy; you should go in marketing. You have wonderful ideas. Thank you for your generosity in sharing them. 🙂
Larry
Great idea about the festival, Wendy. Because Christines’ book is Fantasy, there are all sorts of places like a Sci-Fi / Fantasy Con where people dress up in costumes (would make for great social media photos!), the Renaissance Festivals (more people already in costume for great photos), and of course selling the book there.
Glad to help, Christine! 🙂
Elaine Faber
Let me know when this happens. I’ll certainly come and I don’t think you’d have any problem getting news coverage on that party! I’ll even buy your book! LOL!
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Thanks, Elaine. It’s going to be awhile before it happens, but when it does, I’d be delighted if you came. 🙂
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
I apologize for my typos. 🙁
…and moss. Herbs are intergral….
…songs sung in Irish….
…a card with the blessing in the Cu Tailte language….
*Blushing*
Jennifer Major
Oh, hello from vapour thin Wifi-land! (I’m currently sitting in an actual, real live log cabin, 10 feet from a glassy, isolated lake chock full of snapping turtles, fish and at least one beaver…can I get an ‘eh’?)
*IF* I could have my ideal launch party, it would involve being outside, somewhere near Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, with fry bread tacos and pah-lenty of Navajo music and singing. Maybe a few stunt horses doing tricks and at least one very angry chicken. (You’ll have to read the book to see why ;))
I’d schmooze like crazy to get my one-sheet model to show up and wave. Which might get the press there. Which might sell more books.
But, as long as my hubby and kids were there, I’d be happy.
Okay, a film crew, my hubby and kids.
😀
Wendy Lawton
And the nice thin is that even if it were only your family and a film crew you could use it as the basis of a huge online party, right? Inviting everyone into the Navajo culture and having great prizes. You could even have a philanthropic tie-in since there are many wonderful missions to the People.
Don’t forget that if you involve a bookstore to make the actual sales, those sales help with your numbers and may help push you closer to the bestseller charts. So a great Arizona bookstore could be your partner with a portion of sales going to a Navajo ministry.
Jennifer Major
Great ideas! Thank you.
(I’m surrounded by thunder, a whining dog and a Disney Channel marathon…this does not make for well planned ideas or comments.)
Lindsay Harrel
If you want to do a bookstore in AZ, I can be your liaison, Jennifer. 😉
Sally Bradley
Oh, I like the idea of including videos! I could go vacation at my setting–the things we do for books!–and take some videos and play them at the party, the in-person and online one! Hm…
Kathy Boyd Fellure
Jennifer,
I think about my papa every time I read about your heart for the Navajo people. He loved them. Your launch dream sounds like a cannot miss event. Blessings!
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Sounds good, Jennifer. Just be sure to have the launch party in the Fall, not the summer. 😉
I’m envious of the cabin, lake, and even the thunderstorm. The whining dog–not so much!
Take care, eh.
Jenni Brummett
I would love to have a launch party in the Audubon House in Key West. I used the floor plan of this house as inspiration in my story. It would be a natural connection to highlight the flora and fauna of the Florida Keys at my launch. Dressing up as my character and leading the attendees on a tour of the house and gardens would be fun. I could highlight local food, and tuck papers with prize options on them inside a conch shell, since that’s a recurring object in my novel.
My current story is set closer to where I live. Since cheese making is a big part of my WIP, perhaps a attendees could get a look into the artisan process, and cheese tasting would be included of course. 😉 I would also love to take my readers on a tour of the lighthouse that shows up in my story.
http://pinterest.com/jabrummett/novel-ribbon-of-fog/
Wendy, do you think it’s a good idea to team up with a NF author who’s written a book about a topic in our fiction stories? It could expand the readers knowledge about a place, time in history, or social issue.
Wendy Lawton
I want to come– Key West?
I think it could be a great idea to team up with a nonfiction author. Both of you will draw people you know and your own fans and can introduce those fans to your fellow writer. It could double the impact. Of course you have to share the focus but most writers are introverts so that might be a blessing.
Jenni Brummett
Of course I would love for you to be there.
Kathy Boyd Fellure
Jenni,
Please place my name on your Launch invite list! I’d be honored to serve on your launch team too.
Jenni Brummett
Bless you Kathy! I hope we get to hang out at Mount Hermon next year. 🙂
Janet Ann Collins
John Olson had a wonderful book launch party for Oxygen, which he wrote with Randy Ingermanson, and the book went on to get a Christy award. The party had an outer space theme and members of our critique group dressed in costume. Besides refreshments I think there was a treasure hunt. Although he lived in an urban area the local media was interested and gave the event good coverage.
Wendy Lawton
And when you can get media coverage in the San Francisco Bay Area market, that’s huge!
Donna Rice
What fun ideas!
My book regularly references the original Marshall Field’s flagship store in downtown Chicago. Characters go there for lunch at the Walnut Room, or have family traditions centered around the Christmas tree in the store. While it’s now Macy’s, perhaps a launch party in the store would be fun. The gears are turning and I see a trip to downtown Chicago in my near future.
Thanks for opening this discussion, Wendy!
Wendy Lawton
Just be sure to take video when you are there– commenters are giving great ideas how to use that footage.
Cheryl Malandrinos
I wish I had done more locally when Little Shepherd came out. I focused more online.
One of my clients holds a book launch for every book she releases, which is twice a year. She used real people for inspiration for one of her stories, so she ended up holding a book launch where they lived and invited them to join her.
Wendy Lawton
It’s much easier to get local coverage– they love to feature their own people. And becoming known in your own locale is nothing to sneeze at. My hometown folks have been my most fervent supporters over the years in both books and dolls. Their word of mouth has spread far and wide.
Marion Stroud
I think it must be easier to launch a fiction book than a nonfiction one especially if, like the two I have releasing here in England in October are books of prayers for women. I’d hoped to do it with a friend who has done a series of cookbooks under the general idea of ‘Food for Body and Soul’ but she has cried off, so any suggestionswoul be very welcome.
Wendy Lawton
I don’t think that’s true, Marion. Just look at some of things Bill Giovanetti has recently done to launch The Secret of a Happy Life.
I’ll admit it is harder to be outrageously fun when you are launching a book of prayers but what if you created a labyrinth and demonstrated how to use the old rhythms of prayer? If the media wanted to cover it, just think how much about prayer you could work into the article?
But connecting with a cookbook person would be perfect– demonstrating a perfect dinner for eight with you providing eight prayers for each person at the table for instance and talking about the tradition of giving thanks. All caught on video of course so you can do the big roll-out on social media.
I know our community here must have better ideas.
Christine Dorman / @looneyfilberts
Marion,
What style are your books written in? Your idea of “Food for the Body and Soul” might still work even without your friend. A Victorian-style high tea came to my mind, but if your book is written in an uber-contemporary, relaxed, conversational style, the high tea idea would make no sense.
In what way are the prayers tailored for women? Some of the topics of the prayers might help as springboards for ideas about a launch party. Also, some things connected with prayer come to my mind (candles, incense, chant, a mini-retreat, mandalas) but again, there are so many different styles of prayer…. Can you say a little more about your books? I’d like to help, but I can’t without knowing more.
Congratulations on publication of the two books and many blessings on your launch.
Karla Akins
I’m having a ladies retreat to launch my book. In the midst of it I’m hosting a party with a candy bar and low-carb goodies for my diabetic friends. Since my book is about a biker chick (The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots) I’m putting a plastic “road” on the floor. I’m also bringing in a special speaker and her husband who ride motorcycles. We’re ending the weekend with a motorcycle Sunday ride-in and bike blessing. I’m going as all out as I can on my rural minister’s budget. I did attract the attention of the nearest big newspaper. And I’m placing ads in the local papers. We’ll see if anything happens! I did have a very successful online book party which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/175311089316094/
We had a BLAST! I am hoping my 3-D party goes as well!
Larry
What a wonderful title for your book! Also, good way of combining ministry with the book party.
Wendy Lawton
How exciting, Karla! Perfect. You will catch some of it on video so you can do some Youtube clips and use them in your blog and Facebook, right?
Mary L. Hamilton
My book is middle grade and has a camp setting. I’d hoped to launch it at a camp but those are out of the way for most people. I want to use a local sandwich shop so I don’t have to worry about food. But I’m not very creative about camp related ideas. I’d love some suggestions. I hope to invite local youth groups, so have no idea how many people to count on.
Larry
Camp, youth groups, media coverage….hmmm, how about having a local youth group “camp out” in a parking lot of the church or around there to raise awareness of homelessness?
Or, a “camp-fire cook-off” where local youth groups create meals that have to be cooked at a camp fire? Get local groceries or eateries sponsor food and so forth. Local media would love it. Plus, the youth group could use the food prepared to give to families needing food in the area.
Wendy Lawton
Oh wow, Larry. Great ideas!
Mary L. Hamilton
Great ideas! Thanks, Larry!
Larry
Glad to help! 🙂
Kathy Boyd Fellure
I am hoping to launch my first novel upon publication and I dream about the details! The book is set on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, circa 1995.
The bookstore in Tahoe City that had reserved a special place in my heart, closed last March. They booked me back in 2010 when they hosted one of my children’s book signings. It is a terrible disappointment and as of today, there aren’t bookstores on any of the four shores. But who knows? (My second novel is about a struggling bookstore on the lake!)
My four Blake Sisters’ Lake Tahoe Illustrated books take place during the four seasons between 1959 – 1969, all around Tahoe, but specifically at a north shore cabin.
The launch for book one, “When the Birdies Came to Tea” was hosted here in Amador County where I currently live at Tea Era’s Tea Room. It was everything I had dreamed of ~ exquisite bone china, floral and lace tablecloths, three-tiered tea trays with savory and sweet treats, delightful little girls dressed for an experience of their lifetime, friends, neighbors, relatives, and complete strangers that read about it in the local press releases and featured articles weeks prior to the event.
I read the story, sold and signed books, made new friends and the beginning of a reader following was born. These faithful people purchased each of the other three books when they launched.
(Mr. Snowman Ate Our Picnic Lunch ~ the winter book, Nana’s Tin of Buttons ~ the spring book, and Bear Cub Adventure ~ the autumn book, all launched @ Clark’s Corner in Ione.
Follow-up book signings on all four shores of Lake Tahoe every summer and autumn from 2010 – 2013 have continued to draw interest, and keep me fresh in the minds and hearts of readers.
These have opened the door for the novels. Every store has reserved a spot for the novel trilogy.
Each launch and signing is unique and special. The hosts set tables with flowers, food, and beverages with varied themes. They handle the local press releases, articles, and interviews. I send in the photographs I’d like to have published. It has been almost magical, and so blessed by the Lord. I pray over every book and person who buys one. I recently found out the first book went out on the paddle boats for lake tours!
I’ve had a pre-praying launch team for the novels for over a year now, since signing with my agent. I’ve learned much about marketing in the past four years as I spent a year pre-marketing around the lake, the niche location, before the first children’s book. That has proved invaluable. All my contacts have grown to trust me, friendships have grown, loyalty is a shared treasure. They believe in my stories and sell the books for me. Word of mouth has been very important, social media spreads the word, my writing connections help too.
But it extends far beyond a niche market, you cannot count solely upon that or your sales will dwindle. I am constantly updating my contacts, communication skills, library donations,(you donate first and then they buy your next books and ask you to read!)and cross-country and international networking.
Hopefully in 2014-15, at either the Boatworks Mall or Cobblestone in Tahoe City, both places that have hosted children’s signings, my first novel will launch, maybe even on The Tahoe Gal for a three-hour cruise to Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay, or in the tea house on Fanette Island!
Who knows what blessing the Lord may have waiting?
Jenni Brummett
Kathy, your enthusiasm, creativity, and knack for building relationships with future readers is inspiring to me.
Kathy Boyd Fellure
Jenni, Thank you! The readers are actually seeking us out. They come to the book signings hoping for conversations and an opportunity to get to know us better. The joy God gives us building these relationships is reflective back to Him. 🙂
Wendy Lawton
I love the idea of your pre-launch prayer team. Powerful element.
Kathy Boyd Fellure
This team brings much change through shared scriptures.
Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. Hebrews 13:15
donnie nelson
Dog biscuits! Cat treats! Lots of them.
Everyone will bring their dogs and cats and even their, Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh my, what a fun time we will have together – feeding our animals and feeding ourselves.
(Just like the Teddy Bears Picnic)
Wendy Lawton
Oh goodness, Donnie. You may get more than you bargain for. At least you won’t have to agonize over what kind of food to serve. The food chain will take care of that.
Amelia Rhodes
What fun ideas!! My book released in January, and I held a party at my small-town, locally-owned coffee shop. My book is called “Isn’t it Time for a Coffee Break?” so the coffee shop fit great with the theme. I also happened to write most of the book while sitting at my favorite table in the shop. We had lots of coffee, and cupcakes (that matched the cupcakes on the cover of the book). The party was the end of January, and since this is Michigan, we naturally got a snowstorm that night. I was afraid I’d be sitting there all alone with lots of coffee and cupcakes (not a terrible problem to have). We’re tough up here, and while the snow kept a few people away, but we were packed in the shop wall-to-wall all night long. I read one of my favorite stories from the book and shared about writing the book in the coffee shop and my fun encounters with people there. It was SUCH a fun evening!
Wendy Lawton
It sounds like fun!
Linda J. White
My 2013 novel, “Seeds of Evidence,” has a human trafficking theme. We held the launch in April at a cafe. A local band, Unbroken Light, played. The leader, Josh Mills had written a song for the book, called “Here My Cry.” I had a friend who volunteers with IJM come and talk about trafficking. And part of my proceeds from the book are going to help anti-trafficking groups. My goal was to introduce the book, celebrate, and inform folks about trafficking. It worked well.
Wendy Lawton
The perfect trifecta!
Anne Love
I want Larry on my marketing team! I’m from a small town too, and my book is set in a small town. I already know the interest group I’ll want. The book is set in 1894, winter, centered around the ice harvest, and there’s an element about migrant workers. I live in the heart of Amish land, but the book isn’t a bonnet book. We have a large event area at a local refurbished historical factory, perfect for a launch event–and the local bookstore is in the same building. It’s not a Christmas book, but is a winter setting, so I’m thinking about Valentines season. Just thoughts, I’d love comments from Larry! 🙂
Larry
Thank you for your kind words. Hmmm…..ice sculptures (ice theme) for the party, giving it visual flair to make for good video; food from the period, along with people in period dress (once more, visual flair).
Work with local historical society: see if there were any public debates, columns in paper, and so forth around the migrant worker debate. Could have people in period costume stage, say, the opposing views of the debate from that era, or stage a scene from the novel.
Historical society folks seem to be a folks who would like the book, plus having the local angle (and using their contacts with local media) helps with getting media coverage.
Anne Love
Great ideas Larry–thanks!
Jean Huffman
I know you agents are always saying it’s never too early to think book marketing, and even though my book is still a manuscript, there’s a lot to consider at this stage!
Since my mystery is set in my hometown of Durham, NC, and involves a birthday party in honor of the MC at the Durham Marriott, that would be my obvious setting for a launch. Fancy (my MC) has an affection for the color red and LOVES to eat, so that would be a fun aspect of the event to plan.
I liked many of Larry’s thought-provoking ideas (above). Durham is not a huge place and there are still niches where local-color stories can be voiced and public interest stirred.
Lots to think about. Thanks, Wendy, for the great post. God bless!
Lookin’ up,
Jean