Tag: launch party

Categories
Guest Posts

Book signing 101

Guest posts

The release date of my first book was etched in my mind. I eagerly shared the news, and excitement filled me. This was the beginning of my journey as an author.

I decided to celebrate my book’s publication with a big party—a book signing. This would be a celebration. Not in a ‘look at me’ way, but I planned to enjoy this milestone and wanted those I loved with me.

I learned a lot along the way and want to share with other new authors what worked and what I would change.

Preplanning Stage

  • Decide what kind of celebration you want – big, small, fancy, intimate, casual – and where you’ll hold it – your home, the library, a rented facility
  • 1 ½ to 2 hours is a great time frame. A pre-lunch with coffee, tea, water, and a cake. Brunch if you want to feed your guests. I chose mid-afternoon and served finger foods and cupcakes.
  • A good rule of thumb for party planning is that you’ll get about half the number of people you’ve invited. I invited everyone! I put up flyers in area businesses and sent out press releases to the closest newspapers. Still, I knew almost everyone who came to my book signing.
  • Set a budget. I didn’t do this. Instead, I went into it willy-nilly and spent too much money.
  • Enlist help. My sister helped with food, my youngest daughter made a playlist and acted as photographer, and my husband took the money while I only had to sign books. One friend took care of the raffle items, and another manned the sign-in table and handed out swag bags.

Decisions, Decisions

I couldn’t decide what to wear. I’m a blue jeans or capris and T-shirt kind of person, but I wanted to dress up a bit for my very first book signing. My tip: be comfortable. If you’re not stressed about how you look, you will enjoy yourself that much more.

Raffle Items

When attendees signed in, they received a raffle ticket. My oldest daughter rounded up donations, and I ended up with fifteen bags to raffle off, plus one grand prize that held a bit of everything.

What to Take on the Big Day

You’re dressed and ready to go. The location is perfect; you’ve planned how to decorate it and what food to serve. Everything has been purchased, and you’re ready. Then panic sets in. What do you need to take?

  • Books – take a few more than you think you’ll need.
  • Change – and something to keep it in. Also a sign for how people can pay besides cash. QR codes for alternate payment options are helpful.
  • Pens – so you can sign the books! Take more than one, just in case.
  • Bookmarks and/or business cards. I also have postcards to hand out. They include the QR code for where to buy my book, a picture of the book cover, and the book’s blurb.
  • Food and drinks – do you need tablecloths, plates, cups, and silverware? We had charcuterie cups with food on skewers. I found the idea on Pinterest, and they were a big hit. We served mini soda cans, small water bottles, and sweet tea. We also had cupcakes and cookies that were donated.
  • Swag bags – attendees received a swag bag at the sign-in table. It contained a bookmark, a pen with my name and my book’s name, and a sticker with my book cover on it.
  • Newsletter sign-up sheets
  • Decorations – my book is about an empty nester who starts a birding group, so I had bowls of birdseed in the middle of each table. I bought small organza drawstring bags so people could make birdseed bags to take home. I also had pictures that were beachy or bird-themed. I displayed paintings that my oldest daughter did for my book.
  • Tape, permanent marker, scissors – these always come in handy

During the Signing

Enjoy yourself! Smile, laugh, sign books, talk to people. Be prepared to speak—just a short “speech” thanking everyone for coming and celebrating with you. You can also read a section of your book. I finished with a Q&A. Remember, these are your family and friends (and possibly a few strangers), and they came to be with you!

After the Signing

Be sure to clean up the area and remember that saying thank you goes a long way. Thank the people who helped, and send written thank yous to people who donated items. Emails are fine, but handwritten thank-yous are better. Why? They make a good impression and are professional.

Last but not least, what I’d change: AKA how to save money

Ask for food donations (cake, cupcakes) and raffle items.

I gave out bookmarks, but I will stick with the postcards. They’re less expensive, and I added a QR code to purchase the book. Personalized pencils are less expensive than pens; if I give out stickers, I will find a cheaper place to get them.

At my next book signing, which is with multiple authors, I’ll bring personalized pencils, birdseed and drawstring bags to make and take, a tablecloth, books and pens, a newsletter sign-up sheet, change and QR codes for other payment options, and my postcards.

Oh, and candy. You don’t have to serve food, but everyone likes a little something sweet.

Jen Dodrill uses her faith and passion for healthy families to write novels that encourage and inspire hope. A retired Navy wife, former homeschool mom, and mother of five, her favorite title is Grandma. When she isn’t writing, reading, or drinking coffee, she spends time with her family in West Tennessee. Her first book, Birds Alive! An Empty-nesters Cozy Mystery released February 27, 2024.

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap: February Part 1

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Ask an Agent Q&A with Bethany Jett

Literary agent Bethany Jett answers our questions about proposals, pitches, and the decision-making process. This behind-the-scenes peek into the submission process provides insight into how one agent evaluates proposals and makes decisions about representation.

Other aspects of the writing industry are also discussed such as writing under a pseudonym, marketing and platform, and proposing a series. Bethany also talks about Twitter Pitch Parties and Query Tracker/QueryManager.

Watch the January 31st replay.

Bethany Jett is an associate literary agent with the C.Y.L.E. agency, as well as a multi-award-winning author, and a marketing strategist who earned top honors in her master’s program, where she earned her MFA in Communications focusing on Marketing and PR. Her motto is “Teach as you go,” which she lives out as the co-owner of Serious Writer, a company that teaches and empowers writers and authors. Bethany is married to her college sweetheart, and together they’re raising 3 teen/tween sons and their Pomeranian Sadie.

Launch Party Lessons

In this episode of Writers Chat, author, M.N. Stroh, and the members of her launch party team: Brandy Brow, Josephine (Jo) Massaro, and Norma Poore, share their experiences planning and participating in the Tale of the Clans Launch Party. From the roles each played to the lessons learned, they offer practical takeaways and best practices for those planning their first book launch party.

Watch the February 7th replay.

The Heart of Writing with Larry J. Leech II

Instead of Samuel L. Jackson asking you “What’s in your wallet?”, what if he asked, “What’s in your heart?” What would you tell him? Your simple answer should explain why you write and why you write what you write. In this Valentine’s Day episode of Writers Chat, veteran editor and writing coach, Larry J. Leech II, plays cardiologist and discusses the importance of a regular heart checkup while on your writing journey.

Watch the February 14th replay.

Writing coach of award-winning authors, Larry J. Leech II has spent more than 40 years working with words. After a journalism career that included 2,300 published articles, Larry started freelance writing and editing in 2004. He has ghostwritten 30 books, edited over 400 manuscripts, and taught at numerous conferences nationwide.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

Categories
Writing for YA

Do’s and Don’ts When Forming Your Launch Team

Congratulations, your book baby is now ready for release! What comes next? It’s time to celebrate your book release with friends who are ready to shout out your book news on social media.

As a blogger, writer, and voracious reader, so far, I have been on nearly twenty launch teams. I’ve gathered some wonderful ideas and went through some “growing pains” with friends as they crafted their release teams.

Take a deep breath, and exhale. We’re here to make sure your launch team is everything you hoped it would be… and so much more.

What Not to Do

Any timeline suggested is a guideline, not written in stone dates to adhere to. If you are early, start working on what you can. If you’ve passed a “deadline” you can probably catch up (although some scrambling might take place).

Don’t #1 Where’s my tribe? Two or three months before your launch, place an all-call on your social media, website, author blog, and newsletter asking for launch team members. Give them details of what they will need to do if they become part of your team. Not everyone will be able to do what you require.

Don’t #2 No spending limit! You’ll want to have a budget that fits your financial needs for contest prizes both within your launch team and on social media at large: books, branded author items, possible postage, etc. We all love those cute paperclips or notepads, or any office supplies in general, so please remember to keep an eye on your wallet and get creative about your prizes.

Don’t #3 Accept everyone (more accurately, choose wisely). Are the interested persons tech savvy? Do they have all the large social media outlets in regular rotation on their computers and/or phones? Have they written reviews before, created memes, recommended books to friends? The more your team is promotions oriented, the better the reach will be to interested persons. AKA, your readers.

Don’t #4 No GPS? We’re ready for a party. But where is it located? This is a huge event in your writing life, celebrate with your new and longtime friends on Facebook by creating a group. Helpful hint-have several trusted and knowledgeable author/writer friends serve as administrators or moderators on the page along with you. You’ll have “more eyes” on the page when questions or comments arise from launch team members.

Don’t #5 No Guidance. For some of your group members this might be their first time on a launch team. It’s okay to have newbies, sometimes they are the most enthusiastic! But you’ll want to set parameters for the launch team such as participation expectations, how to post reviews to booksellers websites, where they can post, and when to name a few.

The Fun Stuff

Okay, you know what not to do, now what about the things you Do need to take care of?

DO #1 Create a fun atmosphere for your group. Your team is part of a community. Create a fun, vibrant, place for them to visit and chat. Let them get to know you and each other better through this group.

DO #2 Prizes. Everyone loves prizes! Have meme or video creation contests centered around your book, photo scavenger hunts for objects, colors, something that appears in your novel, and even your website. Remember, the prizes don’t have to be pricey. Get creative.

DO #3 Show your appreciation for them being part of your group. Tucking some bookmarks in the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) you send to them and writing a “thank you” note are simple things you can do to build the team relationship further. Other things that can be done are sending some chocolates, a few “while you’re reading” tea bags, or an author branded item. Even is they are reading your ARC digitally, you can still send some of these goodies to them.

Do #4 Keep the sizzle in social media. Your 10-day countdown Ask your top ten performers to create a meme to post on their assigned day so all the launch team members can share it on their social media. You can tweak the posting timeline to suit your needs. It is an exciting way to celebrate your upcoming release, whether it is a 10-day countdown, or 3 or 4-day countdown. It is totally up to you.

Do #5 Have a release day party on Facebook with your team members. Let them know how much their participation means to you. All of you deserve to celebrate on this special day, and it’s a great way to thank them for the work they’ve done to promote your book.

When book launch time arises for you, have fun, remember to breathe, and celebrate because you did it! Congratulations! All the best to you and your future book launching teams as you bring your book babies out into the world, one confident step at a time.

Stacy T. Simmons helps writers of Christian fiction in her role as president of ACFW-DFW and at her blog, Fueled by Faith and Caffeine.

Stacy writes uplifting fiction that delights the reader’s romantic sensibilities. Thirty-three years of marital bliss is a great contributor. By day, she is an office manager for an insurance agent. By night, she is happily working on her manuscript, or her blog, Fueled by Faith and Caffeine. Her home is filled with family and a menagerie of pets she likes to call “Noah’s Ark.” Connect with Stacy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. She loves to interact with her readers.

Categories
Embrace the Wait

Survival Tips for the Waiting Part of Writing Tip #17 – Prepare a successful launch

I think writers must contemplate individual words much more than the average person. If that weren’t true, I’m convinced we would see hordes of people staring into space much more often. The word launch conjures up everything from ships sailing to teens leaving for college. But for a writer, the word launch encompasses those same concepts and so much more. The day a book launches is the day a dream becomes reality. But to give that dream the best chance to reach its full potential, just like an adept captain or a diligent parent, we must prepare in advance for the big event. Here are a few tips to get your book ready for launch.

1) Rally your tribe. Enlist as many launch team volunteers as you can. As the clock ticks closer to your release date, keep your team engaged through emails and/or by forming a private group, through social media, just for them. Use group posts to generate excitement and to remind your team about important tasks. You can do this in fun ways, like offering weekly giveaways or posting teaser excerpts or illustrations from your upcoming book.

2) Get the word out. It’s likely that you have potential readers out there who have never heard of you or your book. One way to find them is to use your launch team and other connections to introduce yourself. Social media is a great tool for this kind of word of mouth exposure. When a reader first sees a friend’s post about your book, they take casual notice. Then they hear about your amazing book from another source—and it cues their mental radar. But when the potential reader hears about the book a third time, it puts them into action mode.

3) Consider a virtual launch party. Covid has made face-to-face book signings and launch parties almost impossible. But no fear, there are multiple resources available to help you engage with your anxiously awaiting public—via the internet. Online social gatherings and conferences are becoming the norm, and fortunately, we can glean from the experiences of others who have gone before us. Facebook Live, Zoom, and StreamYard are great forums for a launch party. The first place to start is by doing a Google search for online launch parties, specific to your genera. Notice the platforms used, check for what worked and what did not with other parties, then steal your favorite ideas and create the party of your dreams to celebrate the birth of your book baby.

Technology has become the bridge between writers and their audience during this social distancing season. If you find yourself lacking in the tech skill to prepare your book for launch, know that you are not alone. But don’t let that intimidate you. Network with other authors for information and take full advantage of YouTube tutorials to educate yourself. Together, we can do it! Check out the link in the resources below for more information.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Fun Fact or Helpful Resource:
How Do Writers Create Book Launch Content?

How to Throw a Virtual Book Launch Using Facebook Live:

https://www.janefriedman.com/how-to-throw-a-virtual-book-launch-using-facebook-live/

My FB Author Page and My Launch Party Invite:

Annette Marie Griffin is a award-winning writer who speaks at local women’s group meetings and women’s retreats on the topic of biblical womanhood and finding our identity in Christ. She is the Operations and Events Coordinator at a private school for special needs students and is the editor of their quarterly newsletter. She has written custom curriculum for women’s retreats and children’s church curriculum for Gateway Church in San Antonio, Texas where she served as Children’s Ministry Director and Family Program Director for over twenty years. She and her husband John have five amazing children and two adorable grands. She’s a member of Word Weavers International, ACFW, SCBWI, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Creative Writing Institute.