Post Book Release Blues

I was recently scrolling through social media, and came upon a statement that stopped me in my tracks. “No one talks about the post-book release emotional slump that authors experience. Why is no one talking about this?” It made me think about my own experience with this phenomenon. Perhaps it should have a name, something like, “Post Release Day Syndrome” or PRDS, if you will. Name or no name, this experience is very real for authors-especially those publishing their first book. I thought I would take some time this week to do what seemingly no one else is- and talk about the thing that most, if not all, authors experience, along with some ways to navigate the experience.

Why does it happen?

I often think of releasing a book a bit like a wedding. Like a wedding, authors plan for release day for a long time, and sometimes they’ve been dreaming of it since before the book was even written. They think about what it will feel like to not only finally have a book in their hands with their own name on the cover, but what it will be like to see this book in a book store! They imagine themselves at a table with a long line of eager readers, waiting to have their copy signed. Throughout the publishing process, authors meet with their publisher’s marketing team, and have conversations about preorders and launch teams, reviews and promotion plans. Much like a wedding, much work goes into a long awaited release day, and there’s a lot of excitement, nervousness, and even some bumps along the way.

And then, release day arrives.

The author posts on social media, and shares her excitement that the day is finally here with family and friends- and then it’s …quiet? I remember looking at my sink full of dirty dishes on the day my first book released, thinking, Real life keeps going, even on release day! 

All of the excitement, planning, and anticipation is suddenly over. The book is out. Readers are hopefully buying it. And the author…well, the author isn’t quite sure how to feel. It might feel a little (okay, overwhelmingly) vulnerable to have your words now available for anyone (even people you actually know!) to read. Now, there’s a book in hand to promote, and that can feel uncomfortable to an author who’s more introverted than extroverted.

I’ve heard a few times now from author friends (and myself), “I should be so happy, but I feel sort of sad, now that it’s actually released.” There’s many good reasons for this. It’s a sort of whiplash experience to have something you’ve waited for, for so long, come and go within the span of a day. How can authors navigate this unexpected publishing experience?

Reach out to your writing friends

Writing can feel lonely, and it’s unlikely that anyone in your family or friend group knows what it feels like to release a book. Writing friends “get it”, and can assure you this is a normal part of the book publishing process. Not only that, but they can celebrate this huge day with you from afar, even while you’re washing those release day dishes!

Look forward to the future

Like a wedding, release day isn’t about the day- it’s about this new book in the world. And just like a wedding is the beginning of a marriage, release day is actually the beginning of your relationship with your book. You’ll be talking about this book for years to come, and now is the time to think more about how you want to spread the word. Will you continue to pitch podcasts, write blogs, and partner with other authors to promote it?

Know that this slump is temporary

It only makes sense that after all of those exciting “up” moments of anticipation before your book releases, there will be a bit of “down” emotions in their wake. Be gentle with yourself, and know this is part of the experience.  It will pass. Before you know it, you’ll be excited again, and you may even think of doing it all over again, like so many authors before you!

 

How about you? Have you experienced the post-book release blues? Share with us in the comments!

 

 

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