First, you gotta write a book. Because. You know.
Have it professionally edited so your book doesn’t read like your tweet/blog/mouth-run-off-with-mind.
Find a friend who’s such a diva that when you’re wailing all over social media looking for a suitable face for your cover, she just hands you her Awesome Glorious Glamorous Picture with a humble oh-it’s-not-my-best-but-you-can-have-it. Yes, you will momentarily die of sudden euphoria but do make a note to hug that friend later when all senses are functional.
Have it professionally edited so your book doesn’t read like your tweet/blog/mouth-run-off-with-mind.
Find a friend who’s such a diva that when you’re wailing all over social media looking for a suitable face for your cover, she just hands you her Awesome Glorious Glamorous Picture with a humble oh-it’s-not-my-best-but-you-can-have-it. Yes, you will momentarily die of sudden euphoria but do make a note to hug that friend later when all senses are functional.
Find a friend, or three, who are crazily enthusiastic about your book as well as party planning. It helps to have someone harass you into completing your project so they can finally throw a party.
Invitations. Facebook will do, thank you. Invite everyone you know in town. Be shameless. The only limitation to this that actually should apply is the seating capacity of your hostess’s house. If she says 40, pay attention and don’t invite a 100. Invite 50. But seriously, tell EVERYONE. If they don’t read, then, they should because that’s what educated people do, and those who do read would love to come anyway.
Get a cake lady. You must get a cake lady who is actually a neurotic Da Vinci incarnate that just happens to be more interested in butter and batter than paint and canvas. The praise you’ll get for selecting her masterpiece will be priceless.
Invitations. Facebook will do, thank you. Invite everyone you know in town. Be shameless. The only limitation to this that actually should apply is the seating capacity of your hostess’s house. If she says 40, pay attention and don’t invite a 100. Invite 50. But seriously, tell EVERYONE. If they don’t read, then, they should because that’s what educated people do, and those who do read would love to come anyway.
Get a cake lady. You must get a cake lady who is actually a neurotic Da Vinci incarnate that just happens to be more interested in butter and batter than paint and canvas. The praise you’ll get for selecting her masterpiece will be priceless.
Let your party planner friends plan the party. If I’ve learned anything from my years of working with creative geniuses, it is to let them loose. Do their bidding for projects they’re in charge of. If you’re a control freak, and you are if you want things done your way, then, here’s a simple suggestion: DO IT YOURSELF. Less pain for everyone. Or else, kick off your shoes and watch your friends work their magic!
Be prepared to read! I wasn’t. I begged and yelled and threatened them to set me free but it all fell on deaf ears. It’s hard to pick a single chapter or page or paragraph from something I’ve invested a year in to write and blah blah blah and blah blah and blah…I could’ve gone on making another truckload of excuses with the same end result: I had to read. My tip? Go with Steamy. That’s right. Pick out something that’s steamy enough to have them holding their breath, juicy enough to wet – I’m sorry – whet their interest but random enough to give away nothing about the story.
Have a photo shoot. Always. Before food is served. During food is being served. After food is finished. Take lots and lots and lots of pictures with everyone everywhere around the venue. Keep thirty-five cameras handy if you have to. Go wild! It’s important!
Order copies. Sell the product. I’d ordered 20 copies of my book and I was sold out at the party. There was a glitch there, though. My party was a week before Thanksgiving when all shipments are destined to be late by some divine decree, as if. Hence, my 20 copies never made it to the Launch Party but I did have my PROOF. I took it. Read from it. And my wonderful friends ordered based on that. If I did have the copies, it would’ve been more impactful and pretty. Also, I wouldn’t still be storing about so many books at home right now. So plan wisely. Get your orders in hand on time.
Favors. Boxed chocolates and bookmarks. There are absolutely a million ideas to choose from so pick one but you have to have favors.
Have a photo shoot. Always. Before food is served. During food is being served. After food is finished. Take lots and lots and lots of pictures with everyone everywhere around the venue. Keep thirty-five cameras handy if you have to. Go wild! It’s important!
Order copies. Sell the product. I’d ordered 20 copies of my book and I was sold out at the party. There was a glitch there, though. My party was a week before Thanksgiving when all shipments are destined to be late by some divine decree, as if. Hence, my 20 copies never made it to the Launch Party but I did have my PROOF. I took it. Read from it. And my wonderful friends ordered based on that. If I did have the copies, it would’ve been more impactful and pretty. Also, I wouldn’t still be storing about so many books at home right now. So plan wisely. Get your orders in hand on time.
Favors. Boxed chocolates and bookmarks. There are absolutely a million ideas to choose from so pick one but you have to have favors.
Have a good time! It is your night. Take a bow, thank your lovely friends who made it all the more special for you and smile. You just made AUTHOR!
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