For this week, I thought we could all brainstorm and share interesting, different, and creative ideas for release parties. Whether your book is soon to be published or you're still working on the first draft, at some point your book will come out. It's never too early to start planning for its release.
Here are some interesting things some of my authors have done:
PJ Hoover - At both of her release parties, Tricia gave away backpack tags for the kids. More unique than bookmarks, these little laminated cards clip on a kid's bag. When the kid takes the bag to school, other kids learn about the book. Sneaky.
David Michael Slater - is sending kids on a literary treasure hunt around town this year for the release of Book of Knowledge.
What are some successful things you've done at book releases? What good ideas do you have for future parties?
If you are willing to share, join us on Get Me Out of the Slushpile! for our discussion.
I completely forgot to post this yesterday. It seems to be true that after pregnancy your brain is never the same again. Sigh. But in keeping with this week's party theme, here's the Tip:
Tip of the Week: Practice reading your book excerpt aloud.
Although not a mandatory part of release parties, many authors choose to read a passage from their book. This is a wonderful way to expose people to your book. However, if you read in a flat monotone, your book, no matter how exciting, is going to sound flat. I have worked in the kid section through to many boring adult events where the author spoke as if his/her voice had no inflection. They could be reading about the funniest or the most tragic thing, and it all sounded the same. This is not going to encourage the random book customer who stumbles upon your event to buy your book.
I once read (I don't remember where - if anyone knows let us know in the comments) that authors should consider taking acting classes. I don't know if I'd go quite that far, but definitely practice. And if you can practice in front of kids, even better. If nothing else, you'll learn if your excerpt is too long if it can't hold the child's attention.
I've been futzing with my camera, trying to get the video onto my computer. Since I don't have a video link here, obviously I've been unsuccessful. I fear I may have to actually read the directions. I know. Horrible.
In the meantime though, I've been thinking of some general advice when planning a release party. Here's what I've come up with:
Do:
Hold your event at your home, a bookstore, a church, or some place similar.
Don't:
Hold your party at a conference center, a park, a bowling alley, or a convention center.
When you have your party, you want you and your book to be center stage. Holding your party at a very public place like a bowling alley or park can be distracting. On the other hand, if you pick a really large venue, then your party is going to look small no matter how many people come. Even with a couple hundred people at a party, it'll look tiny if the place seats thousands.
Do:
Have party favors for everyone who comes. People like to get free stuff.
Don't:
Give away your book to everyone there.
It's one thing to give a copy or two as a door prize, but resist the urge to hand a free copy of your book to everyone you meet. The whole point of a release party is to give everyone you know the opportunity to purchase your book and get it signed. Besides, if you give everyone a free book, the expense is going to add up fast. And as you all know, here at Buried in the Slush Pile, we are all about doing stuff as frugally as possible. Having bookmarks, backpack tags, small posters, reading guides, etc. are great freebies. Your book or even readers of your book are not so good.
