The year of changing plans (book launch announcement)

​If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life can have other plans.

And today, I have to postpone the launch of Craving London.

I could say that one event last week set it off, but now in hindsight I can see how a delay was inevitable.

Last week, I realized that I needed to have an attorney review my manuscript.

I had given this detail a passing thought months ago, but it wasn’t until I thought I was in the home stretch that I realized I really needed to do it. I was uploading my book to IngramSpark—the worldwide print distributor—when a pop-up box asked me if I mentioned any other people or companies in my “title” (and by title, they mean the whole book).

Why yes, I do. It’s a memoir. And while I made up nicknames to protect the romantic prospects in the book, I do include celebrities I reported on and media outlets I worked for while I was in London. And it’s all true. If you want to know HOW true, check out the podcast I did with my book cover designer here.

Traditional publishers do legal reviews all the time, and as a self-published—or indie author—this falls on me.

I’ve resisted having to postpone the launch. I don’t like going back on my word. And I really just want to get the book out into the world.

But my friend Vanessa (whom you already know about if you follow my Facebook page), has a little mantra that has helped me a lot (which she adapted from Kute Blackson):

“This too is good.”

Whenever something feels like it’s going wrong, Vanessa tells herself “This too. This too is good.” Then she takes it one step further and asks:

“Why is this good?”

Let’s look at why this launch delay is good:

-Once the manuscript was in the hands of the attorney, and my hands were tied moving forward with my 25-page to-do list—I realized I had been pushing myself to meet an unrealistic deadline.

-Giving myself more time means less stress, which is a good thing when you’re a mom to a five-year-old.

-With a longer runway, I can really do the launch justice. I’ve been studying other writer’s launches in this weird world we now find ourselves in, and one of the things I’ve learned—which I’m super excited about—is the idea of a “virtual book tour.” Right now, I’m lining up several people around the world to do Zooms/FB Lives with where we discuss different themes in the book. This should be fun!

-PRE-ORDERS! I wasn’t certain of the value of these until people started asking me about it and until I started studying other book launches. With the book on pre-order when I announce a launch date, you’ll be able to reserve your copy right away—and then the book can start generating buzz on all the platforms. Win! As you can imagine, I’m really counting on this book launching my author career, so I can keep writing more books for you.

So WHEN will Craving London launch, you ask?

Well, a writer friend had warned me several weeks ago:

“I wouldn’t launch until I have a print proof.”

That was sound advice, but in my rush to get the book out to you this summer, I bulldozed ahead. And crashed.

Here is what I’ll do now:

Once the book is back from review (should be this coming week) and I make any necessary adjustments, I’ll order a print proof. And if it looks good, then I’ll upload the book to all the major platforms. This will give me those all-important pre-order links, which I can then share with you!

Still with me? I really hope so.

Thank you for your continued patience, and for responding to my survey last week. A surprising 56% of you wanted a paperback book, which makes me even more certain that delaying the launch is what’s GOOD. See, you can easily launch an eBook, but print requires all sorts of extra steps. (Let’s not even talk about the audiobook—I’ll get there!)

Phew. That was a lot. But while I was texting with my cousin Silvia asking her what I should say, she said this:

“Just be open about it. So far you have taken us along for the ride. Why stop now?”

When I asked her if it would look bad, she added:

“I would say it makes you more relatable to the average person. Nobody likes a little Miss Perfect.”

Sage counsel, right?

Here’s to making the best of it this year.