New Book? Ask the Big Question
As I gear up for another book launch, I'm considering what has worked best in the past—and what I can do differently this time.
I have a new book to market (Come Back and Haunt Me, in case you haven’t checked in lately), and while it’s truly exciting to have a new book, I’m also hesitant to leap into planning the launch.
I’m sure you’re wondering why.
Well, this book is different from the last six that I've produced. This time I’m publishing a stand-alone for the first time ever, and it occurred to me that I should consider the possibility of trying to acquire an agent for it.
Did I say that out loud?
In spite of this fact, I cringe at the thought of the acquiring-an-agent process. The query letters, the rejections, the emails. All the time I could be writing instead of reaching out to people whose inboxes are swamped, and may or may not respond to me at all.
It's possible an agent out there would like this book, would see it as sellable, marketable, money-making-able. Something they want to give a go.
If I don’t try, I’ll never know, right?
Then again, if the book turns out to be all of these good things, won’t it sell naturally?
I mean, I have learned a few things about marketing over the past five years of self-publishing. Technically a self-published book should take off if it’s put out there in a big way (tons of ARCS, lots of NetGalley readers and bloggers, some social media, Goodreads Giveaways, promos like Bookbub’s Free Reads and Written Word’s stacks, and of course in-person events).
If it’s a good read, word-of-mouth will kick in.
Readers are more than happy to share the books they love—they can’t stop themselves from doing so. If your book is compelling, interesting, intriguing, and satisfying, people will recommend it to their reader friends.
I like the word-of-mouth possibility more than anything else because in order for the book to be successful, word-of-mouth has to happen whether you're traditionally published or self-published.
Plus, I've already bought a cover for my book. And I love the cover. And the title. So, what do I need a publishing house for? LOL
My logical brain knows what I need them for—validation of quality, brand recognition, marketing funds, ties to the industry, entry into bookstores and libraries, and more—but I’m stubborn.
I can’t see myself giving this one away to an agent or a publishing house. I can't just step back and say, “Here, take it, rewrite it, redesign it, change the main character’s first name, take two years to publish it.”
Two years.
Ugh. No. I can’t.
I was born during the Chinese year of the horse. We are a tribe of people known to be energetic and independent. Hard workers who value freedom.
Horses must run free. So I guess that's what I'll do.
It’s 2026, the Year of the Horse, and maybe that will bring me the luck I need. Maybe it will be the year my book breaks out of obscurity, races down the track, and gallops into the hands of a larger audience.
We'll just have to wait and see:)
