Countdown to Publication: Mailing Review Copies

I have been involved with book publishing long enough that I know that much of the work leading up to a book publication is mundane. As I have written about previously, the way to combat the mundane work is to be deeply engaged in writing the next project. I am doing that, but I am also, of necessity, doing some of the mundane work involved with publishing a book.

This weekend, I started the process of sending out copies of the book. There is a lot of joy in this process, of course. When the two boxes arrived at the house, I was deeply excited and energized by the beauty of seeing the books present in my life.

So was our cat, Liza.

My first few author copies go directly to friends who have been helpful to me through the process of working on the collection (though this friend insists that I not incur the international postage.) It is a delight to sign books for friends. I appreciate their love and support, some over many years, so sharing the small book is a great joy. I try to be mindful of my love an appreciation while I sign the books, put them in padded mailers, write out addresses and prepare packages for the post office.

After sending out copies to friends, there is still more work to be done. In addition to the publisher mailing out review copies, I order a few extra to mail to people that I would like to know about and hopefully write about the book. I always have a little  trepidation mailing these copies. I know first hand how much work writing book reviews is, and I know that all of the book reviews will not be positive. Even before the book is out, I know my ego will have difficult moments during this process.

I still have more mailing to do. Lists of people who need to receive a copy of the book. Promotional work to think about in conjunction with the fabulous people who run Sibling Rivalry Press. This work will last through the end of the year, but it is good and important work. Not the glamor of publishing a book (though really I wonder if there is much glamor in book publishing), but the important work of have a conversation with people through books.

The other day, I was emailing with another friend who has a new book out this fall and I reminded him, and myself in the process, if we don’t do the work to promote our own books, who will?

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: poetry, publishing