With good planning and timing all the stars seem to magically align around launch date. Things fall into place—it all looks so effortless, when, in fact, careful planning has been at work for months. Still, even the best laid plans are subject to change.
In the case of The Salt God's Daughter, the publishing stork has been busy. Some booksellers have Salt God on the shelves, which is exciting. Others will be getting it sooner rather than later. I am hitting the ground running, even if I am a little like the girl whose date arrives 20 minutes early and whose nail polish hasn't dried yet. There are things still left to do:
- Create a Playlist of music that is thematically reflective of the book-Use Spotify or other programs for your website. (My genius web designer created a way for visitors to listen to music while reading through the website. She is fabulous.)
- Goodreads Giveway. The first one was a success with 1800 entries. You can read about giveaways on the Goodreads site. It's a nice way to let people know about your book, to engage readers and to become involved in the community.
- Create a book trailer. The Language of Trees had a beautiful book trailer; making one or having one made for this book is a desire, but is largely dependent on timing.
- Arrange readings and signings at literary festivals-The Salt God's Daughter will be featured at The Boston Book Festival in October and I'm thrilled to pieces. It's one of my favorite festivals.
- Write articles to be featured around pub date. At present, I am deep in the wilds of article-writing land.
- Readings/signings-Though most booksellers arrange their calendars months before pub date, events are arranged throughout the book launch process and beyond.
And now back to work...
Warmly,
Ilie
Ilie Ruby is the author of The Salt God's Daughter (forthcoming from Counterpoint/Soft Skull 8-21-12) and The Language of Trees (HarperCollins 2010). She has written for the New York Times and CNN and teaches writing in Boston. You can connect with Ilie on Facebook and Twitter, or on her website: www.ilieruby.com.
I agree with you, Ilie - Pinterest is very relaxing. I also think it's another one of those great "back door" strategies. By pinning items related to your book (for me, Asia travel), it draws people to your page where there can be very specific boards for your book. For example, Julia could have a board of pins of 1920s cocktails - vintage cocktails are in and it could lure people in to a place where could also have a board for her book. It's one of the few social networking venues I enjoy in and of itself, and if it has a bonus effect of promoting my novel, then that's even better!
I love your description of a happy hurry to get good things done (:
Congratulations and good luck!
Thank you, Ilie. Just saw that you're coming to Skylight Books next month - I put it on my calendar.
One outlet I'm discovering is Pinterest; friends have been sending me various articles about how to use it, and I've found this one to be most useful: http:/
Also, because my novel is historical fiction, I'm contacting every historical fiction blogger I can find. I've lined up half a dozen interviews/features already to coincide with my book's publication.
Lastly, joining groups such as this one is a great way to get your launch information out. I also joined the Historical Novel Society, and that connection is already proving fruitful. Plus I'm having a terrific time corresponding with readers and writers.
In regard to articles, I'm finding that it's sometimes easier to go through the back door, rather than just pitch myself as a new novelist. For example, I write about food and Vietnam, so I've been approaching food and travel blogs/magazines to write articles that can then tie back in to my book. If someone has a secondary area of expertise, it's a great way to get featured in non-traditional outlets and capture the attention of niche markets before your pub date.
Not sure if this is helpful. I'm just writing off the top of my head. As I come across other ideas, I'll definitely post them here.
Best,
Kim
Kim, Congratulations! Please feel free to contribute your launch ideas. These posts are written to be jumping off points for longer conversations in this community—the more voices the better!
Thank you so much for this post. My debut novel is due out on August 21, and I am eagerly consuming all of the advice I can find. I'm looking forward to reading The Salt God's Daughter and I wish you great success with it!!
Julia, that sounds wonderful! What a creative idea. Hope you'll swing by Boston with the entourage!
I'm publishing my great-aunt's diaries from the Roaring Twenties (I've Got Some Lovin' to DO: The Diaries of a Roaring Twenties Teen, 1925-1926), due out in September (check Amazon). We've created an cocktail for Doris (the diarist) called The Rebel Girl that we're debuting at several speakeasy parties planned along the book tour. Printing up recipe cards for the cocktail to give away at these events. Dressing in speakeasy/flapper costumes gives people a chance to win a prize at these events.
Julia Park Tracey
www.thedorisdiaries.com