The new normal zoom book launch, here to stay?

Thank you to everyone who came to the zoom book launch for FIREFLY! Is this the way we're going to do book launches from now on?

My newest middle-grade book, FIREFLY, is now fully launched into the world! We had a wonderful book launch on March 2nd, 2021. Kidlit blogger extraordinaire, Helen Kubiw, asked me questions, the attendees asked questions (there were 55 zoom attendees, which blew me away, thank you all), and it was a really fun hour.

The full Q&A book launch is now up on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMGRE...

Here are the notes for the Q&A on Helen Kubiw's blog too: https://canlitforlittlecanadians.blog...

There was a draw for a free costume rental at Thunder Thighs Costumes in Toronto, where the story is set (a business which was started in the late 1970s by my extended family, and which is still going strong). There was a draw for best costume. There were authors and guests from across the country, and a few guests from the US, all chatting with each other in the chat box.

Is this the new way we're going to do book launches from now on? Is this actually an improvement, a new adaptation due to COVID which is better for everyone than schlepping to a bookstore or a library or some other event in the dark of winter? There were people at the launch last night from the US, BC, and Manitoba, as well as Northern Ontario, and here in Toronto, and quite a few of them commented how this is actually easier and fits our livestyles better than all gathering in person. Plus, it has the advantage of being short and sweet. Starts at 6 pm, ends at 7pm.

I'd still love to see my friends in person, but last night was really fun. Thank you all for joining me! And so many thank yous to the amazing interviewer and kidlit blogger, Helen Kubiw, she was great!

Here's my other blog with more: http://phdowding.blogspot.com/2021/03...