A book launch is much more than one party at a bookstore. It’s EVERYTHING that comes before the Tuesday of the book’s release—all the blurbs from other writers; reviews from trade publications (THANK YOU for the star, Booklist!), newspapers (THANK YOU, WaPo and Chicago Tribune), and websites (THANK YOU, GMA!); preorders; unboxings; giveaways; social media posts from me and many others (so many thank yous! see Instagram); podcast and radio chats; written interviews; guests posts; newsletters; losing sleep; rehearsing answers to curveballs; hoping; pleading; meditating.
And finally … letting it all go.
Because in the end, the launch is really about YOU. You buying the book and finally, after months of waiting, getting to read the book.
I remember when my first novel (The Kennedy Debutante) was published, I was so moved by the crowd of friends and friends of friends who showed up to celebrate its launch at Wellesley Books. It was a great night filled with toasts and cake and an after-party that went to midnight. And then, a few weeks later, I stared getting texts and bumping into people at the grocery store, who said, “I loved your book!” and “I loved that part in the book when….”
I was shocked. My reply? “Oh my gosh. You READ the book? It was enough that you bought it, but you read it, too?”
My friends laughed. “Of course I read it!” they said.
And I was grateful all over again. More so. Because reading a book is a serious investment of time and attention. The idea that you’re doing that for my books is profoundly moving to me.
So thank you. Thank you for buying All You Have To Do is Call, and for reading it. I look forward to hearing what you think, and connecting about it here and on Instagram.
Warmly,
Kerri
Oh, and here are a few pictures OF the launch. Everyone was with me in spirit! And if you can, I’d love to see you in person next week in Chicago, La Jolla, or Pleasanton – full details on tickets, times, and conversation partners here: https://www.kerrimaher.com/events/