The Countdown Has Begun

There was something magical that happened irregularly but often in my youth.

No, it wasn't trips to the dentist (irregular--yes, often--yes, but never magical!).

It was rocket launches...and Space Shuttle launches. 

There was a thrill in the air and a sense of wonder and apprehension as the countdown clock inched ever closer to launch.

Three...two...one...zero...LIFT-OFF.

Though not nearly as expensive, and not as Earth-shattering--launching a new book series is a thrilling experience. Just like a rocket launch, you never know just exactly HOW the launch will proceed.

Will it be smooth? Will it be on-time? Delays? Hiccups? Over-budget? Huge success? Massive failure???

I have initiated the official countdown for the launch of Paradigm Rift: Book One of the Back to Normal Series. Last minute preparations are being implemented, final procedures are being executed. Work crews are running to and fro, handling myriads of little details (well, ok, that last one was a bit of a stretch).

The officially unofficial CHECKLIST is in various stages of completion:

1. Cover Design....check
2. Back Cover Design....check
3. Launch Date/Time Set...check
4. Legal Issues....check
5. Local Media Interviews Setup...(mostly) check
6. Info Page for Amazon...check
7. Feeder Websites Updated with Order Links...not done
8. Twitter Countdown Campaign...check
9. Final Final Book Edit...(almost) check
10. eBook Conversion...not done
11. Book Signing Materials/Banners...check
12. Author Excited...check!

My current goal is to have both the paperback and Kindle eBook on Amazon.com about 3 days before the "official" launch (Oct. 15, 2014). It takes time for the servers at Amazon to find and link the Kindle eBook version and the Createspace paperback version together. This is not a huge deal, but it is better when a book search on Amazon shows both eBook and paperback on the same listing.

Hardback copies are a different story. Those will have to come through IngramSpark (Createspace/Amazon does not offer hardbacks for self-published POD---Print On Demand). IngramSpark "pushes" through to Amazon, but it takes time. I will be ordering cases of hardback copies to have on-hand for book signings (starting in November).

I was just told by Mission Control that I have to cut this blog post short--there are too many details and issues to be attended to. I will try to update everyone as we near launch, and hopefully a quick round of follow-up posts to discuss the relative success of the launch.