Thursday, December 09, 2010

It Can't ALWAYS be Perfect

by Cheri Chesley

I had my so-called book launch party last night, which was less of a launch, less of a party, and barely a signing.

First, though, thanks to Canda and Kari for coming out. I know the holiday season is busy, and I'm really glad they could make it.

But I'm not bitter about last night. And I don't want you to think I'm complaining. Like I told the store manager, nights like that are practice. And she was absolutely great, inviting me back another time when traffic would be better.

That's just awesome, I think.

December launches are hard, unless you have such a following **cough Richard Paul Evans cough** that people will MAKE time to come see you. My friends, though they love me and are happy for me, have lives. I'm really okay with that. My goal was to get the book out there. I know, since I'm not an established author, that the first book isn't so much about the sales. When you're working with a smaller market, you have to do things a little differently. For instance, I'm giving away a lot of books. I need to generate buzz, and the best way to do that is to get people reading my book. I didn't even want to fuss with a blog tour in December, so we're doing that in January.

I also knew that I wanted my next book to not launch in December. November would be great. October even better. But, since I'm still sitting with the draft and haven't submitted it yet, we're probably looking at January 2012. If all goes well.

6 comments:

Steve Westover said...

Cheri,
Sorry the signing was a dissapointment. Frankly, I am convinced that most signings are.

And during the holidays--wow--thats a tall order.

Great job keeping it in perspective and maintaining a positive attitude.

Michael Knudsen said...

Ack, Cheri I found out about your party late or I would have been there! You're way ahead of me in that you are actually out there in public doing signings. I'm going about it a little differently, putting everything into this party on Monday night - not at a bookstore, but a private venue, and I've spent a month setting it up and sent out over 200 invitations. The goal is to sell 100 copies at a discount, so that as you say, I can get a good-sized group of people reading it and generate that "buzz". Stay tuned next week as I reveal how it goes. (Yes, I'm terrified no one will show up despite all the preparation, but at least the weather should cooperate).

http://michaelknudsenauthor.com

Steve Westover said...

Michael, Good luck on your launch. I wish I lived in the area to attend these kind of events.

Angie said...

Ah, sorry I couldn't be there. (We have five concerts, one dress rehearsal and a birthday just this week!) I definitely want to read the book, though!

Heather Justesen said...

Ug, I'm sorry the signing didn't go well. The launch I held in Sandy for my second book totally tanked, and the manager was the sweetest, most apologetic person ever about it, but I just happened to pick the second night of high school graduations in the valley and everyone was leaving town. *sigh* it was a fun night anyway, and I'll be more careful about timing in the future. =)

Cheri Chesley said...

Thanks, everyone. The experience was good, and I'm sticking to that. :)

Michael, I'd love to make your launch but I have another signing that night. And Angie, everyone has weeks like that! The book will still be around.

Heather, how do you find out about local events like that so you can avoid them?