Virtual Book Launch

I’ve been attending as many on-line Virtual Book Launch Events as I can fit into my schedule. Who knew there was such a thing? Certainly I did not until the magic happened, and with book contracts and promotion expectations, I was thrust into the midst of figuring it out.

On-line author friends from my various FB writing groups have been very generous with their advice, feedback, and suggestions. I am grateful to them. Three in particular stand out as great events and especially helpful authors: Tonya Kappes, Raeann Blake, and Debra Parmley.

One realization I came to was that writing is such a solitary pursuit, but a book launch is a celebratory sharing. People want to be part of that energy!

I made note of what each of the virtual book launches included. Here’s what I found. Features that were the same in each of the events were:

         Themed

         Cover art

         Book blurb

         Purchase info

         Links to author pages of various sorts

         Giveaways (often run by www.rafflecopter.com) 

         Tweet, post, share to win prizes

         Video or audio links 

         Book trailers for own/others’ books)

         Pictures of the era/theme

Some of the virtual launches included:

         Trivia of the era/book/theme

         Pictures of foods, sometimes recipes

         Opportunity to be named in a book/vote on character name

         Links to free stuff on your site--bookmark, excerpts, etc.

Here is the tentative plan I have drafted for the virtual book release of Mission Impastable by Oak Tree Press. I will have the event one week after the release to ensure the book is available. That’s just a little insurance policy decision!

Plan a Facebook Event and invite people from my on-line writing and cooking groups. This is several thousand people. FB will track invitations and acceptances. I am planning a four-hour event. The book cover and buy button will be prominent, as will be the book blurb. Post a link my web page, blog, and Twitter account.

1)   Tell invitees to bring cream cheese, chutney, and crackers with them. Post a recipe for a quick appetizer to munch on throughout the event.

2)   Start the event with the book trailer for Mission Impastable and run it once every hour of the event.

3)   Provide links to YouTube cooking videos I made.

4)   Provide links to YouTube videos of short mystery stories spaced throughout the event hours.

5)   Provide link to YouTube cooking videos I follow.

6)   Post recipes from the book and accompanying pictures throughout the event hours.

7)   Share pictures from my Pinterest board of what characters look like.

8)   Post pictures of Phoenix and Glendale, AZ throughout the event hours.

9)   Give away free books, recipe cards, and cooking gadgets.

10) Post fun food facts, kitchen gadget reviews, and provocative statements about the book content.

11)  Post a link to an excerpt for the second book in the series.

12)  Post a link to a book club guide for Mission Impastable and an offer for me to participate via Skype or in person.

So that is my plan right now. I intend to revisit it and expand the plan if I see a glaring omission that will impact the event. Want to come? I don’t think it’s a mystery at all why my book will be nicely launched!