Book Release!!!!!

Okay, so maybe it isn't MY book release, but maybe we can just live vicariously for a few minutes... PRETEND it is mine... pop some champagne and enjoy the sweetness of a job well done... erm... even if we didn't do it.

I think several things are coming together here that are making me particularly excited about this one, so I'm gunna go just a little nuts. Here's the PLAN.

TODAY, I am going to talk about WHY this one is special, and maybe talk a little about what it seems like maybe a person DOES, some advice I've SEEN...

July 15, Elizabeth is going to come in and tell all of YOU, most of whom have not HAD many book releases, what she NOW (on her 3rd release) knows that she didn't know the first time she did this (so then all of YOU will be 3rd book smart when it is time for first book release—or maybe I'm projecting)

July 16, because I have had the fortune to READ this before it was released, I will do a review. I'd LOVE to encourage any of you with the means to buy and read it so maybe we can even get a little mini discussion going Doesn't THAT sound like fun!? Like a book club, only you know the author!  And you don't have to drive home, so you don't have to watch how much wine you have... (maybe that's just me)

Found here if you want to order it!:



Why I'm So Excited

After all... this is Elizabeth's 3rd book release that I've been around for...

Couple things... Elizabeth has always been fabulous and gracious and brilliant, but between her 2nd book and this one, what was sort of fan girl admiration on my part has turned to friendship. That isn't so uncommon in the blogosphere, but I more often have experienced it with people at a similar stage, rather than people who are flying already... ifyouknowwhatImean... We've had a lot of off blog/off Facebook conversations—we've even talked on the phone (and I don't talk to ANYBODY on the phone—it's a phobia of mine).

Next thing is... I'm not sure until this point (getting my contract offer) I was really ready to THINK about book releases in concrete terms. I started hosting the author blog tours in April, and that's been great, but even then it was sort of distant. Now it is something that eventually I will be participating in from the author side.


And FINALLY, I've READ this! Now I have a couple friends who are book sellers, and KNOW there are other ways people read books early, but this is the first release I've ever gotten to read before it happened...

So I'm throwing a little party.

I know Elizabeth appreciates REAL beer, so we will start THERE, and who DOESN'T love chocolate? Not sure how she feels about the man butts thing... but who doesn't like a nice washerboard? (public servants even!--and a preview of sorts... but more on that tomorrow *shifty*)


When I used to hear 'BOOK TOUR'...

I had this image in my head of flying all over the country, being wined and dined by the publisher as I met my adoring fans... You know what? Not so much. (Sorry to burst that particular bubble if you were still deluded)

All travel comes out of YOUR OWN DARNED pockets (tax deductible, so... a regional tour might be reasonable... maybe arranging visits at places you'd like to go ANYWAY so the travel can be deductible. I mean... IT IS an investment, but at what? Let's say $.75 a book, you would need to generate the sale of 2000 extra books to justify a $1500 trip (which is only about a week on the road, really). Now when it is my turn, I can TOTALLY envision splurging on the plane trip to Boston, staying with Leanne a day or two, renting a car to go into NYC—crashing with Chary... those are BIG markets, and hotels cost a fortune, but if I could minimize THAT part of it... (yes, I am shouting out warning as to my plans, fine friends--but as much to SEE you as to MOOCH off you). So for the investment of a plane ticket, I probably COULD generate enough extra to pay for it, then I get the tax savings on top...

In reality though, I think the FAR WISER investment is one of TIME. Here is what I plan on doing (says the person who knows nothing—could change next week when we hear from the pro)

Blog Book Tour: This seems a no-brainer. You can write several (many even) posts in advance. While your book is in press look for appropriate blogs and ASK them to host you (I believe STRONGLY this asking will be most strongly received by people who KNOW you, so you also need to be reading, commenting, maybe hosting, yourself).

I think the 3rd party organized thing is fabulous, but I think there is no substitution for a well matched hit. I KNOW when I have guests that the response is best when the tone fits my usual CONTENT (which oddly enough is NOT really a match for what I write—this periodically disturbs me, but I will save that for another time) So ALEX! (Yes, addressing a friend in person because I happen to know he is thinking of this.)--you probably already DO but following and befriending all those Sci-Fi bloggers... GOOD IDEA. You're welcome HERE because you are a nice guy and a good sport and so everyone has seen your name so you make them warm and fuzzy... *cough*

Local Girl Makes Good: This is my Ad background talking. I plan to send press releases to the newspapers, bookstores, and libraries in the ENTIRE REGION referred to as the Inland Empire. In Ann Arbor writers are a dime a dozen. Where I grew up?  Not so common. There is also a lot stronger FEEL for 'one of ours' in a relatively rural place. I have friends and family all over the Northwest, but I suspect this 'local color' story will fly best in the area within 100 miles of Moscow, Idaho. It is a TINY market, but I bet that press-release—offer to visit, personal connection-- flies in that area (and gives me a tax deductible way to visit family!)

Mobilize the Army: Look in the mirror here. I am going to ask ALL of you... will you please make sure my book is on the shelf? Now I am not terribly worried, writing for Berkeley Prime Crime—the publisher who is also handing Elizabeth's current book. But I think with a smaller publisher this might be CRITICAL. I would ALSO ask all of you to help get the word out, which... for Elizabeth, I am asking you to do now... PLEASE Tweet, Facebook share, note in your blog... whatever you need to, to get the word out that a great book is out! Here is the full scoop!

So take a minute to sip some microbrew, eat some chocolate, run your fingers over a fireman... and think positive things about Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams, aka: Elizabeth Spann Craig...