The Year-Long Book Launch
By Dan Blank | February 28, 2014 |
Dan Blank, Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, and editor Christine Kopprasch
Today I would like to take you into the year-long book launch process of one author. Since the middle of last year, I have been working closely with Miranda Beverly-Whittemore on preparing for the May 2014 release of her novel Bittersweet from Crown. We have been sharing our process publicly on a blog about the launch: sharing strategy, tactics, and emotions around preparing to connect with readers. When Therese Walsh mentioned this month’s theme on staging-writerunboxed.kinsta.cloud was “Inside Publishing,” it was as if the 100+ blog posts from the launch blog existed solely for the preparation of this very article!
What I share here will be taken from that blog and from the many long conversations Miranda and I have had. What I like most about this case study is that Miranda is a fiction author, and has been described as writing “literary fiction.” This is typically the type of writing that many authors worry if typical platform, marketing, and audience engagement rules apply.
We’ll explore that in-depth below. Also: it’s worth noting that Miranda is being published by a “traditional” publisher, and yet, everything that is shared on the blog illustrates how much work she does, and highlights the many other folks involved in the process. Publishing is a team sport (a phrase I believe I have heard Jason Ashlock say more than once.)
(note: because I have a lot of source material to pull from, this post will include a lot of links to the Bittersweet book launch blog. I do not mean for it to be a link-fest, but merely to give you access to more depth on each topic.)
I will break this post out into a few key themes, and then include quotes from Miranda, links to the blog posts where she or I discuss the topic, and then add additional thoughts and context.
THE MOTIVATION FOR A YEAR-LONG BOOK LAUNCH
Miranda has tasted failure (she may explain it that she swallowed failure whole.) Bittersweet is her third novel, and she has been very open about talking about her career thus far. A recap, all quotes from Miranda:
- “My first book was supposed to be a big hit, and was bought for six figures when I was 25, It was, if not deemed a total failure in terms of its sales (it sold somewhere around 14,000 copies), then at least a DISAPPOINTMENT bordering on FAILURE.”
- “My second book,only sold about 2000 copies, and because it was linked to my first book in a two book deal, there was a lot of money riding on it. Its terrible sales record made it, in the eyes of the publishing world, a FAILURE.”
- “I tried to pitch another book to my first publishing house, but they said no way.”
- “Next I tried to sell the first book I’d ever written, but no one would take it.”
- “I thought, I’ll just write a book I can sell! So I did. I wrote another book and then tried to sell it! Did I sell it? Nope. No one wanted it.
- It was starting to dawn on me that I had FAILED so miserably that I might actually just be a FAILURE. That’s when I stopped writing. When I started feeling gloriously sorry for myself. When I started pretending I hadn’t published two books, hadn’t ever had a taste of a career I loved, that I didn’t even love it. You know what makes a writer feel most like a FAILURE? FAILING to write.”
- “I must have stopped feeling like a FAILURE once I’d written Bittersweet, right? Not by a long shot. I tried to sell it and no one wanted it. I’d become so attached to the validation of the book publishing world that no way was I going to take a step back and pat myself on the back and say, “wow, self, you wrote a book! That’s pretty awesome!” Instead, my FAILURE became focused on outcome: would I sell Bittersweet? But my sales record was linked to my name, the book was a departure from what I’d written before, it was too intricate, it was too over the top, and on and on and on. I couldn’t sell it. The FAILURE hat was fitting me just fine.”
- “In the fall of 2012, my agent said, “You’ve got to revise Bittersweet. Look- really look- at all the comments you’ve gotten from all the people we sent it to, and revise it based on those. We can send it out in January to one last round of publishers.” I was too wrapped up in my FAILURE fog to really listen to her. I kind of sat around my house, looking at myself from all angles in my FAILURE hat.”
- “Then, some tiny, brave part of me that was sick of all this FAILURE business decided to just try to revise the book one last time, in the off off off chance that it was a book someone might want to read. It really felt like a last gasp. So I revised Bittersweet. And then one editor fell in love with it. And then she bought the book. And then it sold in six foreign countries. And then and then and then- I started to have some hope again. Some belief in myself!”
Recently, she was one of three authors featured in a Poets & Writers article and video that touched upon similar ideas:
“Although all of us had seemingly early “success” in our careers, we’ve had to relaunch ourselves for our latest books. I love how honest the article is about the ups and downs of a writing career.”
These are the events that led up to Miranda and I spending hours chatting about her next book in mid-2013 – all while walking around the floor at BookExpo. With this next book, she said that she wanted to leave no stone unturned in terms of preparing for book launch and connecting with readers. She explained how the disappointing sales of her previous books was something that – if it were to repeat – she didn’t want it to be for lack of effort on her part.
Even though she had a big publisher behind her, a lovely editor, professional marketing team, publicist, sales team, and so many others invested in her book, she wanted to also bring me in on the process.
LAUNCH: A HIGHLY EMOTIONAL PROCESS WRAPPED IN QUESTIONS OF IDENTITY
Now that we have covered “failure,” let’s dig into “shame” and “envy,” shall we? And before I do that, it is worth noting how wonderfully positive, confident, smart, and energetic Miranda is as a person. And yet, beneath the surface is a complexity of emotion that tends to happen when one moves through the publishing process.
“I’d internalized so much shame about how my books had performed, that I’d completely forgotten to be proud of the fact that I’d written and published two books in the first place.”
This is how Miranda described answering her publisher’s Author Questionnaire. But complex feelings don’t just revolve around the past, but pop up in the present in surprising places:
“The possibility occurred to me this morning: “Oh God, maybe no one will read Bittersweet.”
What sparked this? Seeing an image of postcards that a fellow author shared for their upcoming book. Miranda describes her moment of panic:
“Oh those postcards! They were so beautiful! There were so many of them! They were posted on Instagram, where I don’t even have an account! And Straub has 16,000 followers on Twitter, a number so big that it is denoted as “16K” (I have 745). Straub is so well loved and well reviewed! And oh look, here on Facebook, Riverhead is giving away a galley with a bunch of warm stuff and they’re calling it “Emma Straub’s Winter Survival Kit” and running a giveaway and Oh my God why didn’t I think of that? Look at how many people have already commented on the Winter Survival Kit!!! All those people are going to LOVE her book! They are going to buy her book, and they’ll only have enough money for one summer book and only enough love in their hearts for one summer book, and it’s going to be her book, not MY book, and don’t even get me started on reviewers…”
I think that complex emotions are part of sharing any creative work. Miranda describes the process this way:
“Here’s how a book begins: with a little tickle at the back of my neck, the sense that I have a magnificent, messy, uncontainable secret… And then I wake up one day and it isn’t private anymore.”
These very real feelings can affect actions, and even limit one’s potential if they aren’t observant and careful. Her thoughts on the decision to invest in bringing partners into the process:
“It is hard for me, after years of feeling so dejected about what went wrong with my first two books sales wise, and trying hard to sell books over the last five years… It’s hard to let go of that doubting, let-down self, the one who could only rely on herself and her work.”
Bringing other people into the process can alter the amount of pressure one feels, and provide new ways of viewing potential opportunities. I’m not sure how exactly to describe what I do with Miranda, but for the most part, she has describe me as being a “buddy” in this process. Two posts on that: here and here.
Luckily, the process of working with others around this book has indeed helped her focus her efforts:
“This year has been, I realize, about refocusing, and redefining, my writing career. For so many years, I had lost such faith in myself and in the career I’d worked so hard to build. As a result, I’d let so much of what I’d worked hard to create just slide.”
All of this can feel so incredibly personal. She once told me, “I don’t want to lose myself in this process.” Concerns over how you are perceived can pop up in the oddest places:
“My book had already stood apart in [my editor’s] head. But what if I, as a writer, could stand apart too?”
This extends to how an author represents themselves online, whether you want to call it “platform” or simply how they engage with readers. Two posts from Miranda regarding this, both on how she describes her work: post 1 and post 2.
Where a creative professional considerings these things internally, it is reasonable to assume the same analysis can apply to external appearance as well:
“I had a big meeting two Tuesdays ago with the publicity and marketing team at Crown. Needless to say I was both exhilarated and scared. So what did I project my anxiety onto? Well, naturally, my outfit. And makeup. And hair.”
Along with another post about the pre-book launch diet. The WHAT?! You heard me.
DETAILS MATTER AND MORE TAKE TIME THAN WE OFTEN LIKE TO ADMIT
What has been so fascinating to me about reviewing the posts in the Bittersweet launch blog is the depth of detail around certain topics. One is Miranda’s process of seeking out blurbs. Here’s an entire series on that, which reviews her in-depth process and some key tips for other authors:
- How to ask for a book blurb
- How to ask for favors
- A writer’s secret weapon: the thank you note
- Sometimes book promotion can feel like stalking
- Blurb soliciting is a lot like breast pumping
- Anatomy of a book blurb: Lauren Groff
- Anatomy of a book blurb: Jenna Blum
- Anatomy of a book blurb: Maggie Shipstead
- Anatomy of a book blurb: Kimberly McCreight
- Anatomy of a book blurb: Kate Christensen
What I love most about this is the context: she is not generalizing advice, she is sharing details of what the blurb-seeking process really looks like. Clearly, it is a lot of work!
Another area that Miranda has put in a lot of effort is in crafting a series of book trailers. Her sister is a filmmaker and was integral to this process:
- Collaborating with my family: book trailer edition
- Filming the book trailers
- Filming the book trailers: when the coast guard showed up
- Filming the book trailers: part 3
- Editing the book trailers
- The book trailers are finished
There was also a related side project: a website that shared stories similar to the one embodied in Bittersweet: stories of girlhood friendships called FriendStories.com.
Several posts on that effort:
- The seed of the FriendStories blog
- Brainstorming FriendStories
- The emotions underlying FriendStories
- Honing the design of the FriendStories blog
- FriendStories: from idea to launch
- Launching FriendStories
And there are all of the other considerations that one makes in the buildup to launch:
- Crafting articles
- Developing a website (part 1 and part 2)
- Creating a newsletter
- Marketing & giveaways
YOU CAN PREPARE, YOU CAN’T PLAN
Miranda and I had lunch yesterday, and reviewed all the OTHER ideas still on the table for marketing and preparing for the book launch and beyond. With everything listed above, there are still so many potential things we can be doing, and we continue to brainstorm new ideas. She describes the calm before the launch:
“There’s still plenty to do; goodness knows, my list is miles long. But we both realized in our conversation today that it was time to have the “launch” conversation, the “holy smokes this book is about to come out” conversation.”
And yet, with all of this preparation, we really have no idea what will and won’t work. Which of these tasks will produce any sort of meaningful return on investment. We are constantly balancing resources and expectations:
- Prioritizing
- On redefining “work”
- There is no one-size-fits-all book launch
- Getting back on track with my author platform
- On time management
- Organize, organize, organize
Even the Bittersweet blog itself, I had (and still have) no idea of it’s value in the moment or in the future. (though it has been INCREDIBLY helpful in crafting this article!) We haven’t made a big deal about it, but it does take time and creative energy. Is it worth it? Neither of us know in an objective way, but we both know it just sort of FEELS right to share the process publicly in this manner. I started the blog with this phrase: “Let the story begin…” And like many stories, simply because you don’t know where it will end, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t begin.
LET’S NOT FORGET: WRITING IS PRIMARY
Which brings me to the center of it all: Bittersweet and Miranda’s writing. She shares a lot on the blog about the editing process, making time to write, and even on working on her next book. It’s worth noting that Miranda shares Therese’s editor at Crown, Christine Kopprasch, interviewed at WriterUnboxed here.
Sorry if this post became a link-fest, I hope none of this came off as self serving. What I began to appreciate after reviewing 100+ blog posts is the value of not glossing over details with generalizations. Of illustrating how overwhelming this can be, how personal it can feel, and how much work it all is.
For publishing your own work, where does your experience differ or align with what Miranda is going through?
Thanks.
-Dan
Dan Blank is the founder of WeGrowMedia, where he helps writers share their stories and connect with readers. He has helped hundreds of authors via online courses, events, consulting, and workshops, and worked with amazing publishing houses and organizations who support writers such as Random House, Workman Publishing, Abrams Books, Writers House, The Kenyon Review, Writer’s Digest, Library Journal, and many others.
Are Miranda’s other books still available for sale? Maybe they didn’t have enough time to find their audience before – and now people who like Bittersweet will look for other things she’s written.
Alicia
Alicia,
That is a great point, and certainly the value of the long-term view of one’s writing career: that any potential success can “raise all boats,” especially providing readers an undiscovered back catalog. Thanks so much!
-Dan
Alicia-
My two previous books are out of print, but both available on the internet. What’s exciting is that I now own both books again, so my dream is that if Bittersweet does well in the world, my first two books will get a second life (and I’ll have a chance to make a little more money on them). Fingers crossed!
Miranda’s story is so fascinating. To “fail” and then get back up and try again is always such a courageous thing. A person must get back up to be successful, but it’s often easier to wallow in sorrow than get back up. So kudos to her.
It’s nice to see her story laid out and all tge reference links for some marketing ideas
I have been thinking of creating a book trailer, so I’ll have to check that out.
Thank you so much! I also feel that even when one does pull themselves out of a failure funk, they often don’t ever really talk about it publicly. It gets brushed under the rug because there are so many personal and complex emotions around it.
-Dan
Thanks so much, RJ. My advice for making a trailer is to look at the resources in your community, be they friends, family, people with skills who are looking for exposure. You’ll make something personal and different. Also, shorter is sweeter, since you’ll be providing online sources with digital content, and that’s their motto too. Good luck!
Great post, Dan. Keeping it for — I hope — future reference.
Thank you Mary!
Thanks, Mary! Hope it provides useful to your future self.
What a wonderful way to cap Inside Publishing Month here at WU. Such a wonderful step by step. As Mary says above, certainly a wonderful and easy-to-use reference resource. Thanks Dan and Miranda! Best wishes for the launch!
Thank you so much Vaughn! Loved this series!
-Dan
Thanks so much, Vaughn!
Dan-
The process of building publicity for Bittersweet is here beautifully detailed. There’s much for authors to absorb and use, thank you.
However, to me the most important part of this post is Miranda’s own back story, in particular these two pieces:
“You know what makes a writer feel most like a FAILURE? FAILING to write.”
“In the fall of 2012, my agent said, “You’ve got to revise Bittersweet. Look- really look- at all the comments you’ve gotten…and revise it based on those.”
Miranda’s agent is not named here, but Miranda’s website indicates it is Anne Hawkins, who I think earned her commission with that recommendation alone. Anne might have worn the failure hat too but she didn’t and neither, in the end, did Miranda.
A couple of themes recur here at WU over and over. One of them is that writing and publishing a novel both are team efforts. Look at this team. Being an agent myself, I am particularly proud of the faith and wisdom shown by Miranda’s agent. That kind of dedication and tenacity is common in our profession and is too little recognized.
But the leader of the team is Miranda herself. Without discovering “some tiny, brave part of me”, there would be no editor, no deal, no team, no book, no blurbs and no blog post to show us what a comeback really takes.
Another theme at WU is make great storytelling your goal and all other problems fall into perspective. Here, though, is a further truth: Great storytelling is made in revision.
I recently was blasted online by a writer and teacher whom I greatly like and respect for advocating what he sees as endless revision. When creatively done and focused on what an author *wants to achieve* through their story, revision isn’t endless. I hold up as an example Miranda’s novel Bittersweet.
I applaud Miranda’s decision to toss off her failure hat and revise not because it got her a book deal with a Big 5 publisher, but because it got her a better book.
Thank you for this post, Dan, and do not worry about its length or library of links. This story needed to be told. And now I need to read Bittersweet, and will.
Wow – thank you so much – I appreciate your pulling out and expanding upon these core themes.
-Dan
It’s not unusual for the comments to greatly enhance the essays here at WU (particularly comments from this commenter). It’s something that makes WU more than just a writing blog and more a community. But comments like this one really make me miss the “like” button. Thanks, Don, for your oft-added depth and unique perspective.
100% agree with Vaughn
Donald-
You’ve hit the nail on the head! Anne has been a tireless supporter and advocate of mine, since she first pulled me off the slush pile with a novel-in-verse back in 2003 (and wrote me a wonderful rejection letter, which prompted me to send her my next book, which ended up becoming my first published novel, after she helped me revise it, sentence by sentence). She’s stayed by my side through dark days, read draft after draft, motivated, talked straight, taken me out for delicious lunches, and been an amazing friend to my work. When people ask me my biggest advice for helping one’s book in the world, I always say, “Try to find an agent who believes in you.” I am so blessed to have found her so early in my career.
I’ve followed Miranda (and you, Dan) from the website’s beginning and have benefited from seeing this momentous effort germinate and grow. One question. Was the decision to spend a whole year in pre-launch platform building the publisher’s or the author’s? Is it becoming standard to do this? Other articles I’ve read about publishing emphasize the decreasing time from manuscript to book to launch with the result that authors feel more pressure than ever to “produce” at the same time that they need an ever stronger “platform.”
Hi Shirley,
The idea came from discussions with Miranda and I. It is not my impression that this is in any way becoming a “standard,” which is perhaps better, because it means that this is just one of MANY MANY MANY potential paths. I wouldn’t even characterize the listing of strategies above as “best practices,” this is simply what seems to have made sense to Miranda and I. As for the many discussions on timeframe of publishing, the core of this is crafting the stories an author wants to tell, and connecting those to readers. For some, this means making that connection more frequently; others it is about working within frameworks/timeframes set by partners, such as a publisher; and then there are many other options. All are valid and have their own challenges and opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support!
-Dan
Hello there, favorite Shirley! You really are such a great cheerleader! In the case of this project, we knew early on that the publication date was a full year away, which gave us the chance to really slow down and be thoughtful about our actions/ dreams/ ambitions. Had we had less time, we would have probably been more impulsive with some of those choices, and I would have felt more like a chicken running around with my head cut off! But it definitely would have been doable. I don’t think it’s ever too late to take the reins in getting the word out about one’s book (as you well know, since you’re so good at it!).
Thank you for sharing, Miranda and Dan. Being open with your minds and hearts takes guts. Kudos.
Denise Willson
Author of A Keeper’s Truth and GOT
Thank you Denise!
Thanks so much, Denise!
Wow! What a wonderfully honest post about picking yourself up and writing after feeling like a failure. Congratulations on Bittersweet and I hope readers will go looking for your older work.
As a research scientist, my life was full of failures, but that is par for the course. In fact, I’ve learned more from the failed experiments than the ones where I merely confirmed my hypotheses. And writing is very much like that … the ideas worth exploring are the ones that don’t have clear answers. I hope I shall remember to persevere.
This line, for some reason, made me smile: “As a research scientist, my life was full of failures.” Love the perspective here – THANK YOU!
-Dan
Vijaya-
What Dan said! Definitely puts fiction writing into great perspective!
Dan-
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
How did you and Miranda team up?
Who pays you – author or publisher?
Good Luck!
Hi Tom,
Miranda and I first met when she took an online course I teach on the topic of author platform. We slowly became friends after that course, and just kept checking in and chatting. She pays me directly.
Thanks!
-Dan
Yup, he’s bleeding me dry :)
As difficult as writing is and as demanding promotion can be, we need to be aware of the turbulent state of publishing and how it’s adversely affecting our craft and industry. If you read George Packer’s amazing article in the New Yorker, you’ll get a bigger and nastier picture of the publishing business that makes all our consternations with writing and promotion look like penny ante stuff. The fact is the cards are stacked against us, the battle between Amazon and the pub houses is laying waste to writers and our books. I know we’ll eventually come out of it in reasonable shape because we create the words that people want to read but in the meantime, it’s agony.
Tony,
Really?! I have to say, in my experience, it is all a matter of perspective. Even though I work with lots of writers, with lots of folks inside and around publishing, I do not follow all of this news that closely. An author has the ability to craft the quality/type of work they want to create, and regardless of this “battle” that you speak of, there are now more – DRAMATICALLY MORE – ways to connect one’s work to an audience today than there ever has been before. And I think there is another choice: to be wrapped up in a “battle” or to simply focus on improving ones craft, and connecting with readers.
I’m not saying this is the “only” way, but simply my personal perspective.
-Dan
Tony-
I can only speak to my own experience, and say that although at the time my failure seemed very personal (and I felt very attacked), I realized pretty soon that my job, first and foremost, is to write a good book, so I needed to stop being wrapped up in the drama of what I felt was being done to me, and start to do my job. It’s tough not to get paid all the time to do my job, but, well, that’s the job I have, and if I didn’t ache to do it, well, I wouldn’t. The best I can do is strive to write something that I know is good. I truly believe now that if the work is honest and strong, it will find its way into the world. And as Dan said, there’s more opportunity to do that now than there’s ever been! Which I find really exciting.
Incredible post, Dan. It remind me of an Thomas Edison quote, “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” :)
I love that Marcy – thank you!
-Dan
My pleasure, Dan. Thanks again for such an informative post.
Great quote, Marcy!
Splendid piece, Dan. It’s really great to see someone speak to the emotional pain one can experience in this line of work.
It’s inspiring to see how Miranda cycled back around to her own creative power and just…kept…going. We need that message and you so clearly (and specifically) laid it out for us.
Thanks for the commitment and passion you bring to helping authors.
Oh, thank you Cynthia!
-Dan
Thanks so much, Cynthia!
Dan, this is such a valuable post for anyone who is navigating the publishing world. Not to worry about the links. They are a necessary part of the process of understanding the challenges we all face when we want to get our stories to our readers. It is important to know that failure is part of the process and,in the end, is a choice. Miranda’s choice to throw off her “failure hat” and move forward is an important reminder to all of us that we can be in control of our choices. Her honesty is refreshing. I have enjoyed following Miranda’s journey to publication and being a part of the Friend Stories series. I’ll be in line ready to read BITTERSWEET when it is launched. Thank you for all you do to connect authors with their readers.
Thank you so much Kathy! And thank you for your continued support!
-Dan
Thanks for your encouragement and support, Kathleen! Your FriendStory is going to go up very soon- I’m so excited to share it with the world!
This was fascinating. I’m definitely going to read some more of the posts, because her journey is fascinating (sounds like a book in and of itself). I like to be able to see the journey.
Thank you Andrea!
Thanks a lot, Andrea!
What a post! A great tale of tenacity and emotional resilience, plus some amazingly useful tips and resources. Thanks for a goldmine of information and insight!
Thanks Keith!
Thanks, Keith!
I can’t remember where I read about this “failure” but this story has been making the rounds in writerly circles. Thank you Miranda and Dan for being willing to share this experience with others. It demonstrates just how difficult publishing can be but more than anything, it shows how resilient one must be to succeed. I just finished reading Maggie Shipstead’s Seating Arrangements and had the good fortune to meet her at a small reading in my hometown of Santa Rosa, CA. She was very nice and I’m so glad she gave you an exquisite blurb. I look forward to reading Bittersweet. I think the writing community as a whole is hoping for success for you with this novel!
Oh Cerrissa, that’s so lovely to hear the story is making the rounds! And yes, Maggie is fantastic- so generous with her support and words. I’m so excited to read her book ASTONISH ME, which is out in April!
Thank you so much!
-Dan
Thanks for sharing the experience, it’s so refreshing to hear, so many people pretend that they are bigger successe than they really are. And it’s an inspirational tale, if there ever was one, about having the courage to pick oneself up and keep going, well done Miranda!
Thanks Claude!
Thank you, Claude!
This is fascinating! Having launched one book and with two coming out next year, I’m starting to think along these lines again. The links were incredibly helpful, but what I’ve most appreciated is how candid Miranda has been. Thank you for that. There is so much out of our control, and I appreciate your open approach to do what you can and to let the rest go.
Also, my next novel is about girlhood friendship. Thank you for introducing me to Friend Stories! Looking forward to sharing a story of my own.
Thanks Caroline!
Caroline- I really hope you will contribute a FriendStory! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Wow, did I need to read this post. There are so many ways to tangle one’s emotions in a book’s perceived success or failure. With a year to go before my second book comes out, your blog is one I’ll study, not just for practical ideas, but for inspiration in how to approach the process in an empowering, sane manner. Thank you so much for that!
Bittersweet sounds like a novel I’d love to read. The description has the vibe of The Secret History, one of my all time faves. Wishing Miranda much success!
Thanks Jeanne!
I love empowering and sane. Thanks for the compliment- both are what I try to be on my best days (and sometimes I come close). And I love The Secret History- in fact, I purposefully wrote Bittersweet to appeal to the same readership (namely, people like me)!
You apologize for the links but it gives concrete proof to
the story, something lacking it other articles I have found about
stories on the pains of publishing and marketing. Getting to
Miranda’s stripped down emotion pulls us in and you have both
worked to share the learnings they have wrought. I”m currently
feeling the challenges of marketing now. This article has given
context to the struggle most of us feel. Instead of giving us the
destination without the direction to get there, you’ve both given
us a very good start. Thanks.
Michelle-
I love how you point out “concrete proof;” that’s a large part of why we undertook the Bittersweet Booklaunch Blog this year, because I, too, was amazed at how lacking such evidence was when I was trying to figure out how to promote Bittersweet! At first, the honesty was a bit… scary… but I’ve found it’s only reaped its own rewards to be open about my ups and downs. Good luck!
[…] of how solitary the process can become. And
the value of involving others in the creative process. I recently
wrote about my process working with Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, and
how my role is in some ways to be a “buddy” in
the […]
What an illuminating post! I’ve been buried in a book launch this week myself, so bookmarked this to read this morning. Excellent, and full of great ideas. Miranda, it’s fantastic that you have the rights back to your first 2 books and can give them second life.
It also sounds like a fantastic book.
Thank you Barbara! Congratulations on the new book! I hope you and Therese have a fun time at BookCourt tomorrow!
-Dan
Thanks, Barbara! That’s all thanks to my very smart agent :)
[…] recently shared a post over on
staging-writerunboxed.kinsta.cloud that takes you inside a year-long book launch
process I am partnering with an author on. Through
[…]
[…] fellow writer’s blog posting caught
my eye this morning and I want to share it with you: The
Year-Long Book Launch. Anyone in the business knows it takes
at least a year to give a great launch for your book.
[…]
[…] fellow writer’s blog posting caught my eye this morning and I want to share it with you: The Year-Long Book Launch. Anyone in the business knows it takes at least a year to give a great launch for your book. […]
[…] process in helping Miranda launch of her
novel Bittersweet. (You can read more about that here and here and
especially here.) What I love about how public we have been with
the process is that I can talk […]
I found this to be a very interesting and helpful piece so I pinned it on Pinterest as suggested above. Thank you for sharing this information.