Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Releasing a Book is Like Buying a House #IWSG

 

The Insecure Writer's Support Group posts the first Wednesday of every month. The purpose of this group is to express your doubts and fears as a writer without feeling foolish. It's a place where we writers can come together to offer support and advice to one another and share our triumphs.

Thank you to our fearless leader Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating the IWSG and to all of this month's co-hosts! J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowry, and Rachna Chhabria.

Every month, IWSG gives an optional prompt question. For June the question is: How long do you shelve a manuscript before editing it. Does experience writing make a difference in the time you take?

I have only completed two book-length manuscripts. The first one I put away for several years and I've never really finished editing it. 

My most recent I put away for about a week after completing the first draft. What about you? How long do you wait between drafting and editing? 

 

I have several insecurities this month. 

One Year On Broadway:
Finding Ourselves
Between the Sand and the Sea
My Debut Book!
I'm both thrilled and sort of terrified that my debut non-fiction book, One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea, is set to come out this summer!

 It is a story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything I still have to do before launch day. But I also want to enjoy this whole crazy process. After all you only release your first book once in your life!

All the anxiety around releasing a book feels a bit like buying a house. There are so many pieces that have to fall into place and deadlines that need to be met and sometimes they just don't work out. What's most frustrating is that often they are out of your control, like when the house inspector finds radon gas and black mold in your dream house or the book cover designer needs to start over on your cover because his computer crashed and totally stopped working. 

Once the cover was completed I had a licensing issue with the subtitle (my fault), I had to come up with a new title and then we had to go back for another cover re-design. I still don't have the final cover.

Each time it happens, I'm disappointed, realizing I have to change the book's release date yet again. Though after missing my first two dates, I let it go. The only thing that really matters is that my story eventually makes it out into the world. 

So I'm tentatively saying my book will release this summer, though I keep wondering if some other unforeseen issue will pop up and delay it further.

I'm also insecure about the fact that I haven't blogged regularly in a few years and all my old bloggie buddies probably think I dropped off the planet. I've let my platform that I worked for several years to build up, slide into obscurity.  It has taken me quite a while to even relearn how to use Blogger, it seems it has changed a bit since I last used it and I kind of feel like the old lady who needs help from a kid to figure it all out again! 

And because I've been absent from the blogosphere for so long, I'm insecure about asking for help getting the word out about my book once the release date is set in stone.

But I am here now and ready to again be an active part of supporting everyone in this community. I can't wait to see what you have all been up to. Thank you all for being part of this amazing group!

I'd love to hear your book release stories.

What kinds of things do you do to prepare for your book launches? Do you hold physical launch parties and if so where? or do you just do virtual launches, blog hops and tours etc? What have been the most effective things you've done to get your book into the world on schedule? and what things have gone wrong?


Kathy

29 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your new book, it sounds interesting. Wishing you and the book a lot of success and readers!

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    1. Thanks so much! And thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  2. Congratulations, Kathy. While you're on hold, put your feet up, take a break. Enjoy the quiet. That's about to change.

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  3. Congrats on your summer release. That is wonderful. I'll be starting my promo next Wednesday for my book if you'd care to see how I'm preparing for the launch.

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    1. Thanks! I saw that you had something coming out! I'll be sure to check it out next week! I'd love to have you as a guest post if want to!

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  4. Welcome back to the blogosphere!

    I've been terrible about my releases. I haven't held any special events, virtually or in person, just quietly announced their releases. If lockdown ever ends, I'd love to do some events at bookstores and libraries to promote my existing books.

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    1. Thanks! Here in Ohio we just opened back up so I'm thinking of libraries or something!

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  5. Congratulations! Be happy to help anyway I can. And good to hear from you.

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    1. Thanks Alex! It's good to be back! I can't believe how much IWSG has grown!

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  6. Congratulations! Best of luck.

    After reading your post, a thought occurred to me. The more I prevent myself from going back and doing mini-edits, the less time I have to shelve a manuscript before diving in for the final polish.

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  7. I completely get feeling like you've dropped out of the blogosphere. Other than posting for IWSG, I just haven't been able to keep up at all. While I could find time to post more often, I didn't have time to visit people back, let alone visit people who hadn't stopped by, and that didn't feel right. Anyway, its an accepting and understanding community, so I imagine we'll both be just fine. But I also get what you said about letting a hard-won platform die out. We'll both get back to it. And I'd be happy to help get the word out when the time comes.

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    1. Thank you! I can't believe what people have published and accomplished while I was gone! It's amazing what a talented group we have here! And yes very understanding. Thanks for your offer of help!

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    2. I also struggle to keep up with my blog. I've been trying to focus my writing time on revising my novel-in-progress and querying my finished manuscript, which (along with my day job) doesn't leave much time for blogging. We do what we can.

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  8. Congratulations for the book. So wonderful!

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  9. Book releases are always overwhelming. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it... maybe that's a good thing. They keep me on my toes ;)

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    1. Okay well I'm glad to know it's not just me then! lol!

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  10. Great to see you back! Congrats on the upcoming launch. There are often gremlins in the works, but you're right - the important thing is getting it out. I'd be happy to help in any way. Have you contacted reviewers? It's good to get them lined up in advance so reviews are ready for release day.

    Also, I've recently been reading my signed copy of Jessica's book From the Ashes (don't know why it took so long) and really enjoying it. Talented family!

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    1. Thanks Nick! It's wonderful to be back! I have not contacted reviewers yet, I'll add that to my list!
      Aww that's awesome! I'll tell her. Thanks so much!

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  11. Congratulations on the debut! I have some thoughts on staying organizing during a launch here, in case that helps: https://yvonneventresca.com/1/post/2015/12/book-marketing-5-tips-for-staying-organized.html (It was written pre-Covid, so adjust accordingly.)

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    1. Thank you! And thanks for the link, I will check it out!

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  12. Congrats on the new book - I guess it kinda is like buying a house; I like that metaphor better than when people compare a book to a baby. I've seen my wife give birth to babies. Making a book is NOTHING like making a baby, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

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    1. Haha! That is for sure! Thanks for making me laugh today!

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  13. All the best with your debut book. I am SOO nervous when my time comes. It seems like you know something about this publishing and launch thing. Bravo! I like the first house purchase comparison with debut book publishing. All the luck with the new release!

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    1. Thank you! Well I know enough to realize I don't know very much! haha!

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  14. Good luck with the book launch! It sounds like an incredible amount of work. I hope it goes smoothly and happens on schedule this time.

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm sure it will be a big learning experience!

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