Release Week Musings

There is nothing like Release week. It’s hard to describe to someone who has never experienced it. Most people think you write a book, edit it, and publish.

Done. Move on.

Nope.

The real work – the hard stuff starts the minute you reveal your cover. Then you have to stir up interest. Talk to bloggers, ask them to read and review. Perhaps feature your book.  Being the shy person I am, I find this the most difficult task of them all.

And it’s only the start. There is a ton of work leading up to release week, and then the big day is there.

You place ads, do blog takeovers, drop teasers. Make posts on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook . . . and the list goes on. Giveaways, drop-ins, and of course a release event.

It’s an honor when other authors agree to celebrate with me, and I want to make sure they enjoy it and perhaps find new readers for themselves as well.  Because part of the thing about being an author, at least for me, is being part of this wonderful community of talented people. Showing the support to them, as they show it to me. They are kind, caring and wonderful, and I am grateful to call many of them friend. Brave souls who pour out their hearts, then hand them to you to read, and judge. Our words are our children, our babies, and all we can do is polish and send them off, all shiny and new, and hope they find their place.

And the bloggers who read, and share, boost and help. They are such huge supporters to all authors, and they are never thanked enough. Fellow word lovers, who have hearts of gold, and offer their encouragement and take the time to tell the world about your work. Bless them all for what they do, because the list is endless.

The day the book drops, I am usually up at 5am and I don’t stop until close to midnight, even with the help of my PA. I am glued to my computer all day. Posting, sharing, tagging, thanking. By the end of the day, I often don’t remember my own name, and my eyes feel like sandpaper.

I fall into bed with a smile on my face, and get up the next day feeling a bit hungover. Somewhat lethargic, as if I had run a five-mile race and need to sit for a bit and recover.

Then I down a gallon of coffee, laugh with my PA over all the silly errors I made the day before, and make another gallon of the needed caffeine.

And start planning the next one.