Comments on: 5 book launch prep essentials

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:00:03 +0000

In reply to W. M. Raebeck. I get it. Very smart! Thanks! Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 18:59:05 +0000

In reply to Sonia Frontera. Good luck! I know how much time and effort this takes. Sandy

By: W. M. Raebeck

W. M. Raebeck — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 18:21:49 +0000

In reply to Sandra Beckwith.

Thx for your reply….
For some authors, that could be effective. For me, the book’s content, even its purpose, evolve and emerge through the scribbling and edits. Writing the eventual blurb is to finally become objective: “What really happens to a reader through this book experience?” rather than, “What did I have in mind when I wrote this?” or “What do I WISH the reader to experience?” Allowing extra time to grow my objectivity is valuable. And, later, my earlier blurb drafts look pretty clunky. ; )

By: Sonia Frontera

Sonia Frontera — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:41:34 +0000

Great post! It came out after my launch last weekend but I had already taken these steps. My blog tour starts next Monday after the promos end. Aggressive guest blogging is next, featuring excerpts from the book.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 01:06:32 +0000

In reply to Thomas Greenbank.

Hey thanks for the head’s up, Thomas. I’ll look into that. And yes, there’s always more to be done. It’s less overwhelming if you accept that you won’t have time for all of it!

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 01:04:14 +0000

In reply to Alison Lloyd.

I’m glad you like the newsletter, Alison! I think that writing a one-line pitch is REALLY hard! A friend once suggested thinking of it as the one sentence you’d see with a TV listing. Good luck with it!

Sandy

By: Thomas Greenbank

Thomas Greenbank — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 00:43:14 +0000

Hi Sandy. A really informative post, as usual. There’s soooo much to be done, and I only have a month now, until my launch. I like the idea of a virtual book tour, and will have to give that some serious consideration.
On that subject—the second link on the download page isn’t working. The first one is OK, though, so I got my copy.
Thank you.

By: Alison Lloyd

Alison Lloyd — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 23:36:44 +0000

In reply to Sandra Beckwith.

Hi Sandra,
Excellent idea. I have been honing a one-line pitch as I work on a second draft. If the draft and the pitch are out of synch with each other, one or the other must give. As you say, the blurb is kind of like a north-pointing compass that keeps the manuscript on track.
Thank you for your excellent newsletter.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:49:57 +0000

In reply to W. M. Raebeck. That's a great tip, Wendy! Thanks for sharing it! What do you think about writing it before you even start the book, just to give yourself direction and focus? Sandy

By: W. M. Raebeck

W. M. Raebeck — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 17:56:23 +0000

You’re so helpful with everything, Sandy!
I’ve noticed with launches is that the earlier I write my book blurb, the better, because I can then tweak, refine, and perhaps shorten it in the months preceding the launch. By the time the book’s ready, I’ve got a nice, tight description to fly with the book. (Just reminded myself to start my next one!)