by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
This year, I will have at least
four, maybe five (the fifth will be pushing it) releases. Three are traditionally published, I’ve
got one new self-pub release, and there’s one that’s waiting in the wings.
four, maybe five (the fifth will be pushing it) releases. Three are traditionally published, I’ve
got one new self-pub release, and there’s one that’s waiting in the wings.
Somehow, though, despite all
the releases, I freeze up when it’s launch day.
You’d think I’d never had a release in my life. I really have no idea
why I do this, but I’m now coming up with a handy-dandy cheat sheet for me so
that I can refer to this post when I freeze up again…which will likely happen
with the December Penguin release.
the releases, I freeze up when it’s launch day.
You’d think I’d never had a release in my life. I really have no idea
why I do this, but I’m now coming up with a handy-dandy cheat sheet for me so
that I can refer to this post when I freeze up again…which will likely happen
with the December Penguin release.
After I get the formatted files
back from my formatter (thanks Rik Hall), or
after the traditional press book launches, I need to:
back from my formatter (thanks Rik Hall), or
after the traditional press book launches, I need to:
For self-pub books:
Upload to Smashwords.
Upload to Nook.
Upload to Kindle.
Upload to CreateSpace.
Check my emails or the
individual platform sites to see how the review processes are going for
CreateSpace and Smashwords.
individual platform sites to see how the review processes are going for
CreateSpace and Smashwords.
When CreateSpace approves my
content, I need to order proof copies (yes, I actually like to see the physical book and make sure the cover fits.)
content, I need to order proof copies (yes, I actually like to see the physical book and make sure the cover fits.)
Make sure Smashwords isn’t
having any issues with my upload. Fix any issues that arise.
having any issues with my upload. Fix any issues that arise.
Check on Nook’s progress. Nook is poky.
By this time, Amazon will
already be live. Use the Amazon link to
claim my book on ACX (the audiobook platform).
Send email to ACX asking them for a stipend for the narrator (and
referencing the other books in the series.)
already be live. Use the Amazon link to
claim my book on ACX (the audiobook platform).
Send email to ACX asking them for a stipend for the narrator (and
referencing the other books in the series.)
For self-pub and trad. pub:
Update my website that I have a
new book available. Paste in the Amazon
buy-link (at that point, the only one ready to go.)
new book available. Paste in the Amazon
buy-link (at that point, the only one ready to go.)
Post the release on my two
business-related Facebook accounts (I’ve got two names I write under.) I skip posting about the release on my
personal Facebook account…I’ve got so many annual releases that I think my friends
and family would be heartily sick of hearing about them. At least I’m gearing to readers on my other
accounts. I only post once on the
release on the business Facebooks, to avoid overkill.
business-related Facebook accounts (I’ve got two names I write under.) I skip posting about the release on my
personal Facebook account…I’ve got so many annual releases that I think my friends
and family would be heartily sick of hearing about them. At least I’m gearing to readers on my other
accounts. I only post once on the
release on the business Facebooks, to avoid overkill.
I don’t tweet the release on
Twitter. But I will link to this post,
which will increase awareness indirectly.
Twitter. But I will link to this post,
which will increase awareness indirectly.
Update my Amazon Author
page. Add the new book to my list of
books.
page. Add the new book to my list of
books.
Update Goodreads.
Update various bios and avatar
bios. Lately, I haven’t done this—I’ve just listed on the bios that I have 3
series and to visit my website (it’s just time-consuming).
bios. Lately, I haven’t done this—I’ve just listed on the bios that I have 3
series and to visit my website (it’s just time-consuming).
For self-pub:
Are any of the other buy links
live? Nook? Smashwords? Add those to my website.
live? Nook? Smashwords? Add those to my website.
Look over my proof from
CreateSpace.
CreateSpace.
Once I’ve got CreateSpace live,
order copies for a Goodreads giveaway.
Link to the giveaway on my website.
Actually, I should really list the giveaway months before the print release,
then provide the giveaway copies once they’re available.
order copies for a Goodreads giveaway.
Link to the giveaway on my website.
Actually, I should really list the giveaway months before the print release,
then provide the giveaway copies once they’re available.
Check on progress of auditions
for narrators at ACX. Choose narrator
for project.
for narrators at ACX. Choose narrator
for project.
For Self-pub and trad. pub:
If you were a
smart author and had a mailing list for your newsletter…you should send out a
newsletter on the release. No comment as to whether I’m a smart author or
not. :(
smart author and had a mailing list for your newsletter…you should send out a
newsletter on the release. No comment as to whether I’m a smart author or
not. :(
Write blog posts
for blog tour. If you were smart and are
doing a blog tour. No comment again. :(
for blog tour. If you were smart and are
doing a blog tour. No comment again. :(
Remember to add a short
addendum to the bottoms of my blog posts about the new release. This is the top
thing that I forget to do.
addendum to the bottoms of my blog posts about the new release. This is the top
thing that I forget to do.
Update LinkedIn (again, usually
forget this.)
forget this.)
Keep writing next book. The deadlines will bite me if I don’t.
What have I forgotten? I’m sure, knowing me, plenty.
Elizabeth – First, congratulations on your new release! That’s wonderful! Today’s author really does have to do a lot when a new book comes out, and I think you’re wise to put together a ‘cheat sheet’ to help you. I agree that updating all of your social media places to mention the release is a great idea. And actually, I think tweeting about your release isn’t bad either. Not, of course, every hour on the hour ;-), but the nice thing about sending a tweet is that people who follow you in the twitterverse can send it along and help you spread the word. The more the blogging community knows about your release, the more your friends can help you toot your horn, so to speak. And to me that’s important because like you, I am a very reluctant self-promoter…
So happy for you, Elizabeth. You are a very wise author and I so get the introverted thing. Me, too. I did have a launch party for family and friends at a local independent book store and had cake and wine. It was lovely, but I doubt I’d do it again. Thanks for the cheat sheet.
OK — now you have me wondering about the whole audio book thing. That’s one market I’ve never tried to tap.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Head=spinning.
Whew! Lots of stuff to do there. Way to get organized, though I’m going to say you’re pretty ambitious to release so many titles in a single year! Not sure my nerves could handle something like that. Maybe they could. Maybe releasing so much at once makes it easier?
I think you’re a smart author!
With my next book’s release looming, I appreciate the checklist. I’ve not utilized my emailing list, but I think I will this time. Might be my last book, so might as well go all out, right?
Wow, 4-5 releases in one year. You’re a rock star! :-)
Do you hold launch parties for each release as well, or just do all the work online?
Alex–You’re nice! Yes, if you have a list, use it.
Paul–I’ve never had a launch party, even for book one. (Winces and hopes editors and assorted publishing types aren’t reading this.) I’m just too introverted. The only parties I throw are for my kids’ birthdays. :)
They’re a lot of work, I won’t lie. And depending on refreshments, they can cost a bit. Though I loved my launch party last year. I can’t wait for the next one.
Paul–I can only imagine! Yes, refreshments could really add to the cost. Too bad you couldn’t make it a covered dish dinner where everyone brings his own food…ha!
Actually that would be a great idea for a low-budget launch party, especially if many of the guests were going to be friends and family.
Margot–Thanks! And…yes, you make a good point about Twitter. I have such a tough time making any type of announcements there, though!
Paul–Now that would be my kind of party! If I didn’t have to worry about the food and it was only friends and family, maybe *I’d* even have a launch party. :) (But probably not. Even then I’d be lurking in the corners…)
Oh my gosh, Elizabeth, you are so busy and work so hard. Great job, and congratulations on this book and on all the others too.
Kathy M.
Kathy–Thanks! And thanks so much for coming by. :)
Karen–That sounds like a nice and low-key launch party. I shouldn’t be such a chicken!
What a great, well-organized list! This is going straight to Evernote. :)
I just launched a cookbook, and have a second cookbook about 80% done. I love Paul’s mention of the launch party. That one hadn’t even occurred to me, but would be the perfect fit for a cookbook launch. Duh.
Thanks, Paul! And thank you Elizabeth for the great to-do list. Good luck to you!
Terry–Do it. Right now it’s netting me a couple of hundred extra dollars a month or so and I’ve just started with it. You don’t even have to put any money down if you split royalties with your narrator.
Diane–Definitely! A launch would be *ideal* for a cookbook. Samples provided…to find the recipe, purchase a signed copy. :) I think even I would be brave to do a launch for a cookbook.
Crystal–I think that’s why I freeze up…it seems overwhelming! But I did knock most of the stuff out in an afternoon. Although my book *still* isn’t live on Nook or SmashW, so I’ve got to keep following up on that end. And Goodreads doesn’t have it up yet either. So I guess the following-up process takes more time than anything.
I wonder if it’s overkill, having so many releases. Seems like a saturation of the market. But they’re (fairly) spaced out and they are in 3 different series. One in February (trad–quilting mysteries), one in July (trad–barbeque mysteries), one a couple of days ago (self–Myrtle), one in Dec. (trad–quilting mysteries).
Self-promoting is hard for me. 4-5 releases? You are a busy writer. Yes, Alex should use his list. But he has such a following that he has little to worry about. His third book will be a smash hit. :-)
Best of luck with your releases!
Roland–Well, it makes me sound busier than I actually am…ha! I only write 3 pages a day (3.5 if I’m in a time-crunch.) But I tend to write fairly cleanly so not as much time needed for editing (with some spectacular exceptions where I really screwed up.)
Yes, Alex will get plenty of mileage without sending to a list! Lol!
Wow! Next to writing I love organizing my deadlines – this is great! So very well thought out. I can’t add anything as I haven’t done this but I do have one question – do you do any book tours with a new release? In Canada the Canada Council for the Arts helps financially with those that tour their books. Anything like that south of the border?
Jan–I’ve done one book tour with the debut of my Memphis BBQ series…and no, I wish I could say that there was a comparable program to the Canadian one…but I don’t know of one. The publishers don’t pay for them either, although it can all be written off on taxes. I stayed with a patron who puts writers up in her home in an area with lots of venues. Three other writers and I toured together and split the costs. But–I wouldn’t do it again. Time away from the kids, tough for me as an introvert, and still a good deal of expense. :(
Wow, congratulations, Elizabeth! You’re awesome!! Good luck with your launch days. They’ll be great!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Why do you post to Nook *and* to Smashwords, if Smashwords posts to Nook?
You are so good at all of that. Yes, it’s hard to promote ourselves. It goes against our upbringing, or nature, or something. I think you are really savvy at it and it shows in your continued success and book releases. Congrats!
Oh, my word, Elizabeth, you are amazing!! Five books!! And this on top of all your previous releases!
Congratulations and thanks for this terrific breakdown of must-do’s during release time.
Best wishes!!
Laura–Thanks!
Joel–Think I make more money that way. Am I right? I believe that’s what I’d originally read in 2011 when I started self-pubbing. Maybe just 5% more?
Mary–Thanks! It’s tough. But we’ve got to do it.
Jill–I know….I think I’m saturating the market! And thank you. :0
Yeah, that’s entirely likely.
So, for every THOUSAND DOLLARS you make fifty bucks. Which I consider about 12 minutes’ pay. Literally.
Just a thought about best use of time versus the triviality of decisions based on money.
Joel–This is true…we all eventually hit a wall when it comes to the time we have to invest in this stuff. I will say that PubIt is a pretty quick upload and I basically copy and paste most of what I put in for Amazon’s page (including tags.) Maybe takes 10 minutes. But they’re *very* slow to publish. At one point, also, I was a little leery about putting too much stuff over at Smashwords. I don’t know what I’d read (I read too many blog posts!), but for some reason I had cold feet and decided just to use them for uploading to Kobo, Sony, Apple. I also have one book that I uploaded *myself* to Apple, bypassing Smashwords…and that was a *major* pain. Apple was a nightmare to upload to and took way too much of a time investment. Since then, I have used SW for Apple uploads.
Hi Elizabeth .. I’m late to the non-party .. but I’m tired reading this – let alone acting it out .. or even complying with the norm and doing it (not acting it!) ..
Good luck – you’ve got your books down to a fine art … congratulations as you move towards all the goals .. Hilary