Tricia Stringer

Why have a book launch? It's a birthday party for a book - a celebration of actually having a book to hold in my hand. Most people at a launch will buy a book and the follow up word of mouth is just as important as media publicity.

Invitations 

I always send them out far and wide, by hand, by mail, via the venue (if it's a public place). I send them to friends, family, anyone who's given assistance along the way, local dignitaries, anyone who might make a connection with the theme etc. I design a bookmark with invite on front and blurb and cover of book on back.

Another service from Equilibrium Books is a digital banner and a PDF flyer. The banner is great for inserting in my bookmark or press release. You never know where the bookmarks end up and they're great keepsakes.

Venue and decorations are very important.

My first book, 'Changing Channels', was an adult romance set on a farm and the cover was hot pink. The launch was in a shearing shed, cleaned but not bereft of things like wool press, brand templates, shears and a pen of live sheep. We decorated with touches of pink. There were mice in the story so I had my posters hanging from pink mouse traps. There were also mini wool bales tied with pink bows and pink bows on all the champagne glasses. The serviettes and serving platters were pink and a CD player with country music playing in the background.

A beautiful arrangement of pink flowers and a pink cake were organised by friends but they looked lovely by my books on the signing table. My publisher provides me with the digital book flyer and front cover image. I usually print these in colour and laminate them. They are handy for the launch and future book talks and displays.

Children's books have always gone well with some dressing up.

'Boy of the Mines' was set in 1880's and it was launched at my school during Kernewek Lowender (Cornish Festival). This meant most of the primary school were dressed in costume and I asked a particular group of students to be with me at the front who represented the characters in my book. For 'Piskey Trouble' I had some young children dressed as piskeys. Acting out a small part of the story often works well and of course with a picture book the author should invite all the children to sit with them while the story is read.

Have an MC to tie the event together.

I have had a variety from bookshop owner, to local radio announcer to my husband. Give the MC a run down of the event and suggestions for what they might say then leave it to them. An MC means you only have to concentrate on your own speech.

Guest speaker.

My books are always launched by a person who can relate to the story or who has some connection with the theme. For example 'Due Date' was about succession planning and seeking help from relevant support agencies so the local Drought Support Initiative Counsellor did the honours. My children's book 'Piskey Trouble' was launched by children's author, Rosanne Hawke, who has researched Cornish connections in children's literature and is a Cornish Bard. Sometimes this helps spread the word about your book in other directions you may not have had access to.

Refreshments - need to suit the launch.

For my adult books my family all helped with food and on the night my children and partners make sure the food and drinks flow. I always provide a dish of sweets at the signing table (something that matches the theme) and they are enjoyed by people as they wait for their book.

With children's books you can create food around the theme. I recently launched a book called The Wish Giver for authors, Lenore Penna and Rosanne Hawke. The wish giver lived on a star and so there were star biscuits and little cakes with star decorations. The chn loved them.

Troubleshooting

Any number of things could go wrong and the author shouldn't have to worry about them so delegate. The only thing you should have to do is circulate, make your speech and sign your books! If something goes wrong then it's someone else's problem.

The Biggest Gains

If the media are not represented on your guest list then send them all a media release and follow up pics. Following my launches there are articles in as many papers as I can reach, I've done interviews on local FM and ABC radio. I've held follow up mini launches in other regions which leads to more press reports and interviews.

Launching a book can be so much fun and if children/adults have fun at your launch they will remember you and your book and spread the word.

Sometimes when I invite people to my book launch they ask me, "What do you do at a book launch?" My reply is always, "It's a party, come and find out!"

I have put photos of the launch of 'Due Date' here on the Writing for Success website. Pictures of earlier launches and promotional activities can be found on my website www.triciastringer.com and my publisher is Equilibrium Books at www.equilibriumbooks.com

Best wishes to all with your writing endeavours!

- Tricia Stringer