Ideas for a Book Launch

Whether you’re an author or a reader or both, everyone has those special moments in their lives when they want to celebrate. To that end, I hope my readers will find this blog post helpful. My comments would apply just as easily to any kind of event, not just a book launch.

I think most every author feels like celebrating when a book is published, whether it’s their first or their thirtieth. For the release of The Tapestry Shop, my October book from Five Star, I decided I wanted to share the moment with my friends. When I started thinking of just where to have such an event, and how to plan for it, I ran into problems. Should I have the books available? Would that make my friends feel pressured to buy (although several have asked where/when they could)? How much could I afford to spend? Where could I hold such an event?

My first inclination was to go to the internet and google Book Launch. From this, I got some ideas—and learned that Book Launches run the gamut, from those hosted by book publishers at a pricey New York hotel, to smaller ones in a private home. So I set out to make my own way, because I’d found that anything goes.

My home won’t hold the number of people I wanted to invite, so I made a list of places in town. I soon found that renting most places was pretty pricey, and this is without refreshments or anything else. Most restaurants had a high minimum for their food service, too.

The more I investigated, the more discouraged I became, until I hit upon an idea that came like a bolt from the blue. We have two wineries near where I live. I had never been to either one, so set out to find them and see what they had to offer. To my delight, I discovered a treasure—a winery that I loved the minute I stepped inside. It was cozy, unpretentious, and had racks of wine along the walls, as well as a polished bar with stools and a few tables with chairs. It was the perfect place to launch my book, which is set in France. I knew right away that winery was where I wanted to launch my book.

My only investment is wine-tasting for my guests (after which they can purchase a glass if they like), and some platters of cheese and crackers, all reasonably priced. Even this wasn’t required, but I wanted to do that.

I’ll send out invitations (my web designer is a whiz at designing things like that which match my site design).The event is set for early evening, and I’ll do a brief reading from The Tapestry Shop. After that, the rest is party time. As for book selling, I’ve asked a local bookstore owner to sell my books at the book launch so I can enjoy the party like everyone else. So go to your local winery and see what they have to offer. After all, it’s helping them too, bringing in customers who might never have thought of buying their wine anywhere but in a grocery store!