Thursday, June 9, 2011

A BOOK LAUNCH – A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

While my first book was published way back in 1993, my nineteenth title, Justice at Baragula, has just been released but I have now experienced only my third book launch. We only arrived home this morning on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne, Victoria, where we did have a fun time at the book launch last Saturday afternoon. However I am still left wondering what readers and authors feel about book launches.

My first ever book “event” was a book-signing at a local shop way back for my first Mills & Boon medical romance, Priority Care. That was an exciting time for me personally but I cannot say it was a “fun” time for those faithful friends and family who arrived in that shop and bought a book for me to sign. Sure, I was pleased a few strangers were there also, but there really was not much time to talk with them, and certainly no opportunity for anyone to speak to them all and share a few things about that book as can happen at launches.

For that first book-signing the shop owner organised some advertising and of course I did as much as I could letting friends, family and acquaintances know about it. The staff at the relatively small shop even prepared the display and table. For book launches, unless an author has a publisher or publicity agent organise it is up to the author to do it all. This can be time consuming and also even costly, but if the author is allowed to buy the books to sell at such events it can also be perhaps more lucrative.

When I became a member of the Society Women Writers Tasmania, other members were surprised I had never officially launched any of my books. SWWT had a book stall at a large, local Fair and were happy for me to have my launch for Book One, Return to Baragula as part of the Fair’s programme that day. For Book Two, Outback From Baragula, we shared a Fair day at a local church. This went much better and so for Book Three we were able to book a few hours at our daughter’s church in Melbourne and her own church small group volunteered to organise afternoon tea. Perhaps I am simply starting to get better ideas for launches, but this one was the best ever. Although, I have to be honest and say I think it was more because this launch was far from being just about my book. This was a husband and wife launch of three books.

While it proved to be even more time-consuming to organise, this was a really great experience for both Ray and myself. To start with it was wonderful that Ray’s two 31 Day devotional books, CHILDREN: God’s Special Interest and From Eden With Love were released by Even Before Publishing the same month as my book. Would we do it again? Well, we are on June 19th here in Launceston, Northern Tasmania! If this launch goes as well we hope it will,  the answer will be a resounding “YES!”

During our week in Melbourne, I also very much enjoyed time spent with other writers – but space here is gone and you will need to go to my own blog tomorrow – or perhaps even next week to find out more about that.

But right now, what about book launches? Have you ever organised one for your new book? Have you ever attended one? Are they good for authors, good for readers? I would love to have your comments.

13 comments:

  1. Mary, congrats on the release of your 19th book. Wow, that's quite the accomplishment.

    I've never attended a book lauch, but that's because I've never known any happening although the nearest city book store welcomes them. As a writer, I haven't had the privilege of releasing a book. However, when the day comes, yes, I will have a book launch. Somewhere. Probably in the city where they actually sell books instead of just lend them out. :D

    Anita Mae.

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  2. I've organized launches for the last four of my books. The first two were good but the last two were very disappointing. To be honest, I think I'm over them. The people who ended up coming were probably people who would have ended up buying the books anyway (I hope).

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  3. I'm planning a launch party for my first (a novella) next March. Am I expecting to sell books? Not sure. Not sure of the logistics selling books in Canada published in the States, and I don't have a local Christian bookstore to help out. But even if not, I want to have a party with my family and friends to celebrate. Many of them have been interested in my path for years and they want a chance to party with me :)

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  4. After attending your book launch, Mary, I have started to get ideas for my own in Oct/Nov. I am determined to make this one better as all my great ideas for my debut novel came to naught, except for a book signing in the local bookstore. Time will tell ... :)

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  5. I think these book launches of ours now are necessary and important Ray's two 31 Day devotional books than my own. We were certainly happy with the number of books we sold last Saturday and does give opportunity to advertise etc. However, it does take me away from working on writing that next book. I am beginning to believe it is as you mentioned Valerie. A great excuse to have a party for friends and family!

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  6. I'm like Valerie, as a Canadian with my book being published in the US, I'm just not sure how easy it will be to get the printed versions up here. You've given me much to think about. Great article, very helpful.

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  7. Just last Monday I was at a book launch at a near-by library. The author of the launch title spoke and read from her historical novel. Local authors were invited to participate as well. The entire room was ringed with authors at tables. The room was full of enthusiastic readers. It was one of the best book events I've been to in ages. Not to mention the fact that i sold a lot of books (always a good thing)!

    Any excuse for a party, I say.

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  8. I like your idea, Donna. Have not thought of a library launch before - and with other writers too. I think being allowed to buy your own books from the publisher is very important before considering an event like this.

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  9. Congratulations on your book launch, Mary. I launched African Hearts, my debut novel, in Queensland and it was a great success. It is a time to party with family and friends and readers. My publisher attended which made it extra special. I will be holding a launch for my next books as well and make it bigger and better.

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  10. As a reader I have never been to a book launch although it would be fun. I have been to book signing admittedly for cricketers where you buy the book and have it signed and may get a photo if you are luckey.

    I know a few authors have had book launches on there facebook page where the fans can chat to the author and they have had a few giveaways. But they have been quite fun.

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  11. Launches sure can be fun and we are hoping this will be the case again next Sunday...gulp! Jenny, authors always hope that readers will be the main attendees at launches. It gives us a chance to meet our readers which is encouraging for any author that you have taken the time and bothered to come. Ray & I are also in the throes of having book-signings at Launceston & Hobart Koorong shops in the next few weeks. Rather scary! I do hope you've all left a comment on my own blog to be in the draw for one of Ray's devotional books! And watch this blog too for future giveaways from us both!

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  12. I'm so glad these launches turned out so well, Mary. The launch I had for my first book coincided with a Ladies Houseparty where the theme was "What is Your Story?" But I'm not so sure about my September launch...maybe my own church and invite ladies from other churches nearby? Catering can be iffy as you wouldn't have a clue how many would come!

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  13. A new book and launch in September. Rita? Congratulations!

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