A Book Release
THE WEEK BEFORE RELEASE
The graphics from by publisher arrive and I put up these my new social media backgrounds on my profile pages on Twitter and Facebook. I haven’t yet see the actual book.
Still no books, but I use the cover to photoshop the eBook onto some photo I’ve taken.
TWO DAYS BEFORE RELEASE DAY
The author copies arrive and I open them immediately on the beach. There is no reason to force a smile for the camera, I’m delighted with the look, feel and smell of my new release.
One hour after the books arrive, a package arrives with champagne from by publisher. This is a first! I could sure get used to this.
I’ve opened the bottle and celebrated two days prior to release day because so much of that day is taken up with social media.
Despite the image, I successfully opened the bottle unassisted and shared the contents with friends on the beach. That’s why the plastic glasses. No glassware near the pool for obvious reasons. Tasted just as good as if it were in a fancy flute.
My copy of the audiobook arrives from my publisher via email with a download code and I snatch that up immediately. They have used the same narrator, Laurence Bouvard, for this story.
I have listened only to the sample and am over the moon at the job she did. The opening even scared me!
RELEASE DAY!
Release Day finally arrives along with my first Amazon reviews, my Amazon rating and a spectacular floral arrangement of bromeliads from a dear friend who has taken the trouble to buy a life-like plastic alligator to include among the foliage.
Last minute change to the back cover blurb sends me back to the computer to update this on my website and newsletter.
Social media posts glean many congratulations from my writing buddies.
Reviews continue as the blog tour, set up by the media team of my publisher, commences with reviews of The Hunted Girls. I read each with a knot in my stomach, but thank goodness, they are all glowing and kind.
I spend most of the afternoon checking the sales ranking, which is improving, replaying to direct message, texts, emails and social media comments.
At dinner time, my husband rescues me from my virtual world and draws me into the physical world at our favorite Italian restaurant in downtown Sarasota, Florida for a celebration. Live music, delicious food and a toast from my partner and biggest fan.
TWO DAYS AFTER RELEASE DAY
The box of books my husband ordered arrives. Social media comments and review continue to arrive and I struggle to keep up with them all and thank the bloggers for taking the time to read and review.
I am still studying the rankings on Amazon and noticing that the first book, A Killer’s Daughter, is also performing well as new readers discover there is a second book in this series.
THREE DAYS AFTER RELEASE
I put finishing touches on the synopsis for the next thriller and send it off to my agent because there is another story taking shape in my mind. Very soon the characters will begin to speak to me, as with the case with Nadine’s mom, Arleen, and I’ll struggle to type as fast enough to keep up.
Of course there will be struggles with plot, pacing, research, the first draft, the second draft, the revisions and the edits.
Building a story is a messy business. I compare it to making a mud pie. No one wants to watch and certainly no one wants to try some. But making that mud pie is such a fun and satisfying process that I can’t wait to reach in and get that oozing, sticky mud between my fingers once more.
