by Katherine Reay, @Katherine_Reay
Today I am celebrating the book Release for OF LITERATURE AND LATTES
Someone told me that in the world of social media, all caps is how you are to cite your book titles. Personally I feel like I’m yelling at you all. So please be assured I am not…
Happy Tuesday!
Today is the day that traditionally published books get released and today is my newest release, OF LITERATURE AND LATTES, big day.
It’s also a perfect day to share with you a little of how to approach a book launch. All these points apply whether you are independently publishing your story or publishing with a traditional house.
Six Months out: Tradition has it that this is a good time to post a cover reveal for your story and update your website and your author profiles around social media to include your book. I’ll be honest, I add it to my website and I reveal the cover, but I don’t change social media headers at this time. I like to make a little bigger splash with that moment closer to publication. I do, however, start chatting about the story — behind the scenes and such — every couple weeks.
THREE MONTHS before launch: Create some graphics, giveaway a few ARCs or post snippets on your website to introduce readers to the story. Create additional bonus content too (such as behind-the scenes-thoughts or your inspiration), share early reviews in your newsletter or on social media. Reach out to bloggers and local online media to submit interviews and articles. While these may not directly relate to your novel, they do get your name out there and your novel can be included in your byline.
TWO MONTHS to launch: Employ some of those lovely graphics you created, enlist fans to help generate a little fun noise, promote your Pinterest board and give other glimpses into the story and into your author life. This is when I start being more thoughtful about when and how I talk about the story. While I want to direct readers to it with more frequency, I also want to make sure I am serving their interests and being organic in how I discuss it.
LAUNCH DAY: Send out a newsletter, be available on social media — maybe a Facebook Party and post some celebratory pictures — after all, it’s a big fun day for you, and your community wants to celebrate with you.
POST LAUNCH DAY: Don’t disappear. Your job isn’t over yet. Reply on social media to those who are chatting about your novel, join with other authors to promote your book — and their books too. Thank bloggers, engage with readers, perhaps run a giveaway, and continue to reach out to local bookstores for signings.
It’s a lot to do, but writing took a lot of time too. This is as much a part of the book journey as writing is so give it the time and attention it deserves.
Also — enjoy this stage of the process and then, when you’re ready… Start writing and promoting your next book!
And if you are curious…
Katherine Reay returns to the cozy and delightful town of Winsome where two people discover the grace of letting go and the joy found in unexpected change.
After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community.
Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money—and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them—but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated.
With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances.
Have a great day!
Katherine
Katherine Reay returns to the cozy and delightful town of Winsome where two people discover the grace of letting go and the joy found in unexpected change.
After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community.
Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money-and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them-but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated.
With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances.
Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels, including Dear Mr. Knightley, The Printed Letter Bookshop and the upcoming Of Literature and Lattes. She has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books and brings that love to her contemporary stories. Katherine’s has also written one full-length nonfiction work, Awful Beautiful Life. She holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and currently lives outside Chicago, IL with her husband and three children. Publishing credits also include Redbook, USAToday, Christianity Today and FamilyFiction. You can meet Katherine at www.katherinereay.com or on Facebook: KatherineReayBooks, Twitter: @katherine_reay and Instagram: @katherinereay.