I’m taking a break from editing my new novel to check emails and I thought I’d write a piece about my book launches.
My first launch, in 2007, was held in our house as I did not expect many people to be interested. The second was held at a local garden centre as one featured in the story and I treated the visitors to free tea and a scone! The next was held at a leisure centre as the girl in the story was a sportswoman and the fourth was held in a local pub/restaurant because, by then,I wanted to make sure everyone could find car parking and, if they wished, stay for lunch after the free coffee.
The fifth book was launched in our favourite pub, which I had also put in the book, although I hadn’t named it and for the sixth I launched with a couple of other writers in the previous hostelry. However, this was not quite as successful for me, probably because I had not initiated the advertising.
Book launches do not seem to attract newspaper reporters unless the proceeds are going to charity. I did get a photographer to the launch in the Leisure Centre although I never did see the write-up (if there was one)
I don’t launch in bookshops as the wholesaler only supplies shops if they are ordered. They will not accept books from me as the publisher.
I hope to sell at least a dozen copies at each launch and do have a few readers who support me every time and one who buys in bulk for Christmas presents.
I am now scouting for somewhere to launch my next book. It must have parking, refreshments and preferably a connection to the story. I think I may go back to the garden centre. I would like somewhere on a bus route but nowhere comes to mind.
