My book has been out in the world for a few months, and they’ve been a whirlwind of signings, panels, interviews and blog posts. Parts of it were absolutely amazing, and at times overwhelming. I haven’t had much time to reflect on any of it until now. I was warned about what to expect, but other lessons still surprised me.
Here are 8 things I learned as a debut author:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for things. I asked my publisher about a local book launch and book plates, and they came through with arranging book store signings as well! Some things may not be possible, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
- But you can also arrange additional promo you want to do, yourself. While I have a publicist, I reached out to people I know to arrange interviews and online events, and podcasts in addition to what my publisher arranged. This included a visit to my old high school, which was a surreal experience. Some interviewers may also contact you via email or on social media, and it’s up to you to decide how much you can handle in your schedule. Please don’t overbook yourself, but I understand being scared to say no too. It definitely takes some trial and error to figure out what works best for you.
- Join a debut group. If you’re traditionally published, one forms online every year, and we get resources/tips from the previous year’s debut group. This year #2023debuts is active on social media. We have a Slack channel and shared resources, and do cross promotion. The Slack is also a good place to ask questions about the industry in private, get recommendations for places to get book swag, or even just vent about what is going wrong. I’ve met so many people through the group, and it’s been one of the most valuable parts of my debut experience.
- Block goodreads and other reviews. Multiple people will warn you about this, and I’m going to add my own echo to the choir. For a while before publication, I checked my reviews, but as more reviews started coming in, I had to stop myself. Whether good or bad, I tend to ruminate too much on them even though there isn’t anything I can do for the book anymore. Often times they’re contradictory. Sometimes they don’t even make sense. Reviews are for readers, not writers. Once it’s in the world, it’s not up to you what people think of it. Of course, there’s been some crossover and a few awkward moments because I also am a reader, and follow book reviewers for recommendations, but for the most part – I try to avoid my own. If you have trouble stopping yourself, there’s a chrome extension Goodreads Review Shield for Authors (made by another 2023 debut!) that hides your reviews, but still allows you to go on Goodreads, or you can use the Self Control extension to block certain URLs.
- Promo doesn’t end just because your book came out. I’m sorry! Of course, the month before and after publication are the busiest, but it doesn’t really end. No one cares about your book as much as you do, so if you want it to keep selling, you will have to keep alive somehow. I’m personally not the best at social media, but I’m trying different things.
- You probably won’t know how well your book is doing. You may not get royalty statements for a long time and the payment systems can be difficult to understand. There’s also a delay between when sales are reported and when you get paid. Also, your publisher’s expectations for whether or not your book is doing well, may not match what you think. If you want a little peace of mind, the “When Do I Earn Out” app can help.
- You need to be accountable for your platform. You may not be famous or recognizable, but you still having to be a public person with the accountability that comes with being one. Of course, it’s sometimes hard to figure out what is appropriate or not and everyone messes up sometimes (Even me!). But in general, do not reply to book reviews unless they are positive and you are tagged. And even then, the only appropriate response is “Thanks for reading!” or “I hope you enjoy it!” or to say nothing at all. If I am not tagged, I will not comment. If it’s negative, I will not comment. I know we need to keep producing content online to market ourselves, but I never regret ‘not posting’, I only regret if I post something not well thought out.
- REST or your body will do it for you. After running at full tilt for months, I finally broke down and was sick for several weeks. Rest is essential, and so is protecting your mental health. Yes it’s busy and sometimes hard to find balance. It’s also exciting, and rewarding as much as it is exhausting. But rest is not unproductive. After all, with luck you’re going to have to do it all again, so take what worked and keep it in mind for next time.
Everything changes… but nothing changes. There are still diapers to change, and dishes to wash. My dayjob still takes up most of my time. There’s still another book to edit. It’s a strange feeling to accomplish such a big lifetime goal, and finding that life just goes on. I hope that when you get this opportunity that you do take the time to celebrate your accomplishment, because it IS a huge thing.
I feel incredibly lucky, no matter how tired I am right now. Soon I’ll be back to writing, which I enjoy much more than promo. I’m grateful to everyone who’s picked up my book about an unlucky girl who only has her determination to see her through. Somehow, we’re both still here, and that’s no small thing.
Do you have dreams of a perfect book launch? What would you do if you could?
-Tessa