What I Learned From My First Book Launch
Filed under Advice • My Writing • 12-02-2010 •
The following article appears in the new issue of Focus, the BSFA’s magazine for writers:
What I Learned From My First Book Launch
By Gareth L Powell
Elastic Press published my first short story collection, The Last Reef, in August 2008. Now, a year and a half later, I’m looking back at the process of releasing the book, and the lessons it taught me.
Seeing my first book in print, actually holding it in my hands, was an exhilarating and terrifying experience. On the one hand, it marked the fulfilment of a life-long ambition; but on the other, it meant that the stories in the book were now fixed. I couldn’t fiddle with them anymore. Now they were out of my hands and had to stand or fall on their own merits.
I knew they were strong stories. Most of them had already seen publication in various places, including Interzone, but still I was apprehensive. I had the support of the publisher, Andrew Hook, and the good reputation he’d built for Elastic Press over the years, so I knew people would take the book seriously – but what if no-one liked it?
The book launch took place in the Citte of Yorke, an olde worlde pub in Holborn, a few short steps from the Chancery Lane tube station in London. It was a joint launch, as Chris Beckett was also debuting his collection, The Turing Test, which has since gone on to win the Edge Hill Prize.
The front bar was almost empty when I arrived, and I immediately started to fret that we wouldn’t pull a crowd. I needn’t have worried. It was a warm but wet Saturday afternoon and soon people were packing the place. Chris and I took turns reading excerpts from our books, and then we held a joint Q&A session. I sold around 20 copies of my book. The crowd were good natured and all-in-all, it was a very pleasant afternoon.
What I Learned:
- Be approachable. Don’t hide away at the bar with a clique of followers. Work the room. Shake hands with everyone. Make eye contact and listen to everything people say to you. Don’t force yourself on people, but if they’ve taken the trouble to come out and attend your event, do them the courtesy of showing them that you’re pleased they are there.
- When signing books, ask what they’d like you to write. Some book collectors just want a simple signature; other readers are d
elighted by a personal or quirky message. To avoid disappointment, ask them up front.
- Dress comfortably. Wear something appropriate. I wore a suit because I find that wearing a suit gives me confidence. However, it was hot in the bar and by the end of the afternoon, I was wishing I’d worn a t-shirt. Find a balance between comfort, confidence and clothes that reflect the image you want to project.
- When reading excerpts from your book, look at your audience as much as possible. Catch a few eyes. Speak loudly and vary your tone. If you need to, don’t be afraid to stop and take a drink. If you’re relaxed and having fun, chances are the audience will be too.
After the launch, reviews of The Last Reef started to appear online, and luckily most were positive. On the back of them, I did interviews with Interzone, SF Crowsnest, and Concept Sci-fi. Photos of the launch appeared on Facebook, and within 12 months the book had almost sold out its initial print run, and was now available in both e-book and audio formats.
Looking back, there are a number of pitfalls awaiting the unwary first-time author. Listed here are five good pieces of advice to bear in mind when embarking on the publication of your first book:
1. Make sure you’re working with a reputable publisher and find out exactly what they will do to promote your book, and what they won’t. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Sending press releases to local and genre publications and websites
- Arranging book signings and interviews
- Distributing advance review copies
2. Resist the temptation to respond to bad reviews, especially on a public forum. Remain dignified.
3. Place links on your website to places your book can be bought.
4. Maintain perspective. Don’t start wearing black polo neck sweaters to the local pub and expect to be treated like a celebrity. Don’t spend all your time monitoring your Amazon sales rank. Make time for your friends and family. Keep your feet on the ground.
5. Keep writing!
Tags: Advice • author • Publishing • The Last Reef
Congratulations. Amusing piece. I was reminded of my first book launch in South Australia. I was so scared noone would turn up. Surprisingly, old school friends who I hadn’t seen in over 40 years, arrived! And all bought the book!Looking forward to meeting you at Odyssey!
Thanks Eva. See you there.
Your point about agreeing what the publisher will do about publicity is the one I would stress. My own book came out two weeks ago. So far, the publisher has not managed to arrange a single review or interview for me. Not one! When I checked the list of publications and bloggers they’ve approached, the reason is obvious. My publisher specialises in erotica and romance. My novel is science fiction – a new (and I now suppose) experimental genre for them. the forty of fifty places they’ve approached for reviews and interviews are all – every one of them – places that specialise in erotica and romance! It’s no wonder they’re getting nowhere!
So, although I took the trouble to check that my publisher was reputable and that they had a plan for publicity, the devil, as always, was in the detail.
Good cautionary tale. Thanks Graham, and good luck with your book.
thanks for sharing this. As a professional speaker who also writes, as opposed to the other way around, I have to note with a chuckle that much of your advice – all very sensible – is clearly that of an introvert (most writers, I imagine) directed to other introverts, since they focus on presentation and personal interaction like look at the people to whom you are speaking and find out what the client wants etc.
I love Elastic Press too. My story “Silent Emergent, Doubly Dark” was in Subtle Edens, a fine anthology (the rest I mean).
Thanks Richard. I have a copy of Subtle Edens on my shelves. I will take a look at your story.
Always an interesting topic for authors. And the world is certainly changing, so authors are finding that publishers do far less with respect to book promotion than what was previously expected.
The launch for my new book is in less than 3 weeks. Looking forward to it, and will keep some of your tips in mind.
Good luck with your launch, Doreen.
Yes, congratulations Gareth. And this is a lovely piece. I hope and aspire to be in a position to use your excellent advice some day. And, of course, please do keep writing!
Thanks May.
I “self published” and by that I mean, paid to publish with Book Surge, now Create Space, they certainly sounded like they had a concise marketing plan, but once the finished project was up on-line and the complimentary ten copies were on their way to me, things became a little more clear. Uploading the book was their marketing plan – all the other “selling points” on book reviews, interviews, etc. were all at an additional cost. I’ve had to wait for the contract to run out and now a year later am starting all over again, trying to market by myself, while trying to find a traditional publisher who can actually get it out there. It has, though gotten five star reviews for the readers who have written to me.
Gareth, thanks for the tips. It seems so obvious that one should “work a worm” at a book launch but so many do exactly what you said and sit with their friends and followers. It’s appealing to stay within one’s comfort zone but I, too, am forcing myself to become more approachable and mingle about.
thanks so much for this advice. i would have made a very big mistake if i have not read this piece of advice. many thanks.
Marni – sorry to hear you got burned. There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there preying on would-be authors.
Ilene and Isaac – Glad this post has been some use to you.
great advice , thanks for that, am in the process of publishing my first book…..YIKES!!!……and am trying to figure out how to launch it properl although I do ahve a publisher, but still feel that I need to input my own wishes , definetly got a few great hints from you !
Thanks hey, it has been helpfull for us. My husband and i co-authored a book and preparing for the launch