How to Create A Super Successful Book Launch

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How to Create A Super Successful Book Launch

Zov Karamardian, owner of Zov’s Bistro, Tustin, Sonia Marsh, and Ann Pulice moderator.

A successful book launch is about creating a friendly ambiance at a fantastic location like Zov’s Bistro.

Everyone loves to feel welcomed, and part of a “like-minded” group.

An event based on a theme, great food, delicious wine and a warm atmosphere, is critical in creating that special “atmosphere.”

I try to offer the same when I invite people to my book launches.

As I wrote in How to Create a Successful Book Launch à la “Academy Awards”, it takes planning and inviting people who are interested in the theme of your book, as well as entertaining everyone.

This year, for the launch of our 2nd My Gutsy Story® Anthology: Taking Chances and Changing Your Life, I invited a panel of 4 speakers and merged the Peace Corps as a way to show where I hope to start the new chapter of my next “gutsy” adventure in my life.

Click on cover to go straight to Amazon

I invited Ann Pulice Owens to moderate our event. Ann is an Emmy/Golden Mic award-winning journalist serving as co-anchor of PBS SoCal’s (KOCE-TV) “Real Orange,” did a fantastic job of introducing the panelists and keeping us on track.

Ann Pulice, moderator

Our wonderful audience signed up and entered the raffle with my volunteer friend, Sylvia McDonald, the amazing organizer.

Sylvia McDonald my fantastic friend/organizer/volunteer

Our enthusiastic audience:

Our panel of “Gutsy” authors.

Panelists

Our panel consisted of :

Sonia Marsh (ME):

Sonia Marsh: Award-winning author of Freeways to Flip-flops and founder of the My Gutsy Story®

Julia Capizzi: This dynamic bilingual Peace Corps volunteer turned professional Peace Corps recruiter has lived abroad in El Salvador and Bolivia.

Julia Capizzi on left and Terri Elders (Returning Peace Corps Volunteer) right.

Colleen Hannegan: Author and professional speaker, certified business advisor and personal life coach for women in transition.

Colleen Hannegan and her now book, “Girl on a Bike.”

Mariana Williams : Author and founder of the “Long Beach Searches for Greatest Storyteller,” married to Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Paul Williams.

Mariana Williams

Jonathan Yanez: Went from renting cars, to following his dream of becoming an author. His three-book series publishing contract has now been optioned for film.

Jonathan Yanez

My wonderful editor Eve Gumpel, if you are a writer and need a fabulous editor.

Eve Gumpel, my fantastic editor

Barbara Kimler, my wonderful publicist.

Sonia Marsh and her great publicist, Barbara Kimler

Suzanne Chun from “The Examiner” took notes and many photos here are from her, as well as Barbara Kimler.

3 media musketeers: Jennifer Heinly, Barbara Kimler, Suzanne Chun (right)

Tips to a Successful book launch

Start 3-4 months before
Offer a panel of speakers to entertain your audience based on your book’s theme
Have a moderator (locally famous if you can)
Hire a local publicist to help you get local media attention
Think outside the box of what organization might be relevant to your book’s topic and invite them to join
Pick a nice venue
Offer food and wine
Charge people for the food and wine, and offer a “free” book to everyone
Sign up with Eventbrite on FB
Use the Eventbrite countdown widget on your blog (Contact me if you need help with this or any marketing suggestions)
Offer great door prizes
Make each person on your panel speak for 5 minutes or so
Engage the audience and get the moderator to have Q & A
Invite everyone to review your book on Amazon
Be kind, helpful and chat with everyone

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Get Published in our 3rd
“My Gutsy Story®”Anthology in 2015

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HERE