Launch Night Tips

[matamua]

Hi, just looking for any tips for reading, what to write when signing books for people, dress code??? This whole journey is literally a dream come true, writing for over 20 years and I've not really given any thought to the reality of the launch night...and it just crept up...starting to get a bit nervous... (much happier writing)

Congratulations on getting this far! Massive achievement!

What sort of event is it in terms of place? I would wear something you feel comfortable in but a little dressy - if you're a jeans and jumper girl then keep the jeans, find a smart jumper etc. If it's in a book shop then I'd probably go more smart casual as sequins might feel a bit OTT!

For readings, I think it's good to choose something which brings your characters alive and includes intriguie/conflict etc...lengthy descriptions aren't so great to hook people in.

For what to write in a book I'd keep it simple...get people to write their names on a post it and then just write 'To X, Hope you enjoy the story! Best wishes Y'

Thank you so much! Yes, it's in a book shop, evening time. I live in jeans but was thinking of wearing a dress, just to make the effort. That's a great idea about what to write, I was definitely overthinking that one. I was at one book launch years ago so wondered if they were more casual now. I was going to read the prologue and a bit of the first chapter, but might be no harm to give people a bit more. It's centered around a creepy old house so maybe a bit about that?

Congratulations! Have fun!

What's the format? Is it just a reading? A "conversation" with an interviewer? Will someone be moderating audience Q&A? The answers to those will make a difference to what and how much you choose to read, I think.

In any case, if you have a chunk that's funny, that might be a good choice. And I hope you can coax a few friends to come along. It's always easier with a support team.

It might be different where you are but here in the SF Bay Area where I live now, jeans would be utterly normal. But even here, a comfortable dress that makes you happy wouldn't be out of place either.

For signing I always put something like- hope you get to read and enjoy with a cup of tea! My friend who writes thrillers says ‘make sure you read with the lights on!’

I’ve read about two pages, and because I write rom com, I go for something swoony or something that ends in a laugh. Make sure you have a non smudgy pen!

Congrats op and enjoy!

Thank you all so much - feeling a little less stressed now that I have a few more ideas to run with.

There is no set format as such, the publishers use this particular chain of bookshops and after that, it's up to me how I organise the evening.

I like that line, about "reading with the lights on" that would definitely make me want to get stuck into the book!

Congratulations! I hope you have the best time.

As an author whose book came out in 2020, I’m very jealous too. Zero events or parties, I was so sad. I’m determined to publish another one just to have that experience.

Thank you! Yes, a virtual book launch is just not the same, happened to another writer I know as well.

I think timing is supposed to be everything when you're submitting - good luck with your next book, hopefully you'll be planning the book launch before you know it😊

Do you have someone to launch it? Most launches I've been at have someone who knows the writer and their work, often a fellow-writer or literary journalist or someone who can talk about books, to say something brief and complimentary about the work, invite the writer to read a short passage (these have definitely got shorter in recent years) and then engage them in a short conversation about the origins of the book, inspiration, writing practices etc etc. Then everyone just mingles with wine and you do some signing. I think the single biggest change to literary events of any kind in recent times is the demise of the pure 'reading' and its replacement by an author 'in conversation with' another author or interviewer.

I would also let whether the book shop audience are seated or standing dictate how long the reading/launching/talking part lasts. If they don't have seats, keep it briefer.

Oh, that's good to know. I have a friend I could ask from my writing group - might see if we could do something like that, so asking questions and talking about writing. I can see how that would be more interesting than just reading a passage from the book.

I think it will be standing but it's a big shop so that's a bonus.
I remember going to a launch in a lovely independent book shop, but it was tiny, so we were outside on the pavement - didn't really hear the author at all.

Thank you all, lots to think about!

I was at a friend's book launch last night and thought of you. It was the "conversation" format: another writer introduced her work, asked some questions before and after a short reading, then there were a few audience questions, then mingling/signing. She wore a loose cotton top and flowy trousers. There was cake and wine and fizzy water. It was a packed house and she sold a lot of books.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

That sounds like my idea of a perfect launch, relaxed outfit and cake!

I'm waiting on the shop manager to come back to me. He's going to run through what they usually do on a launch night and I have some ideas as well, thanks to you all.

It's in a months time so I'll update then but thanks again for all the pointers and tips. I'm starting to feel a bit more excited than nervous now.

I hosted a Q&A for a local author at our writing group…wasn’t a launch but it worked well. I asked her about where her ideas came from, her writing process, favourite authors etc. I didn’t know her but I sent through the list of questions before the night so she could prepare. It was casual and conversational. She read a part but I also shared a couple of my favourite lines. For me as a reader that sort of thing is interesting to listen to so it’s not just a sales pitch.

That's interesting to think about it from a reader's perspective. And I know what you mean about it being a sales pitch, that's definitely how the publishers view it!

Thanks @trailblazer42 another idea for the list.

Well, absolutely it's a sales pitch, so I think it's fair to think about how can the event be both enjoyable in itself, and how to entice your audience to buy a copy of your book.

@matamua have you had your launch yet?

Yes! It was last week and life has just been crazy, I was only thinking about this thread yesterday. So, the book launch went really well, we had wine and cake, my sister in law made Spanish tortilla.

A close friend from my writers group did a short intro, I read a bit from the novel and then signed books. It just went so fast, so many old friends and family came on the night that it was all a bit of a blur.

Thank you all so much for all the tips and inspiration, it really helped!! Am I allowed to share the name of my book?🙌

Sounds fabulous! I am so jealous - as I plod through my edits its things like this that keep me going!

Please do share the name!

Ahhh...edits. I do not envy you, but it's a great feeling when you're done.

My book is Crowfield House, it's a gothic thriller, set in a potentially haunted house and a missing child, so if that's your cup of tea then please take a look!

Congratulations! I'm so glad.

Looking for your book -- I'm in the US and prefer to avoid Amazon for books, do you know if anyone's selling a standard (non-Amazon) epub? If not, I'll get a paper copy later this year when I'm on your side of the ocean.

I completely understand @loosestrife unfortunately I'm with an Irish publisher and it's only available through Amazon in the UK and US which is a pity.

It's in bookshops etc here in Ireland and you can order a copy online from the Irish shops, that might work for you.