Hi SheWriters, Today I promised to present my master plan for publicity for my debut novel, Substitute Me. The book comes out on August 24, which gives me just over two months to lay the groundwork for its arrival. Before I start planning however, I have to wrap my mind around what a book launch really is and what it is not. These are lessons learned from my two previous books. For example: 1. August 24 is the day Substitute Me officially becomes available on store shelves across the country. But it is neither the first nor the last day that people will purchase my book. 2. When the clock strikes midnight on August 24, my publicity campaign does not turn into a pumpkin. I have to continue to hustle and spread the word about the book on August 25th, 26th, 27th. Rinse, lather and repeat. 3. Until every single body in the whole wide world has a copy of Substitute Me in their hands, my publicity campaign will continue. While that may seem overwhelming to some, to me it means I have the rest of my life to publicize my little book so I should not kill myself getting all of my publicity projects completed in eight weeks. So with those comforting thoughts in mind, this is my PR project checklist. In a perfect world, these items will be checked off by August 24, but if it takes a bit longer, I will forgive myself. 1. Plan a Substitute Me Blog Tour with a combination of mommy bloggers, book bloggers and bloggers who like to discuss issues of diversity and culture. 2. Create a mailing list of all of my friends, fans and readers of my previous books. Use that mailing list to send a weekly newsletter beginning on July 24, with a countdown to publication theme. 3. Send an email alert/letter to independent booksellers about Substitute Me, encouraging them to carry the book at their store. 4. Record a video trailer for Substitute Me. That trailer will be posted on my website and will debut at the Substitute Me launch party. 5. Host a fantastic launch party in Philadelphia on or around August 24. 6. Plan a real life book tour throughout the fall, highlighting book festivals, libraries and churches. 7. Maintain my sanity 8. Sleep 9. Keep up with full-time teaching position at Temple University. 10. Remember to kiss my two children so I don’t have to hire my own ‘substitute me.’ Wish me luck!