On Launching a Book: Giving and Selling--Yourself

Sunset aftermath of Hurricane Dorian

Most writers are introverts.

They write because they love to write.

For many they also have a burning in their hearts to convey a message, to tell a story, to help someone on a similar path. 

There can be joy in the writing, and also toil and suffering.  Sometimes the beautiful words flow and too often the blank page stares back.  But you push through. In hard labor. To birth this masterpiece (you hope).

You give yourself away in so many ways.

Then you discover that was the easy part. 

After that is so much about selling yourself. 

Writing a proposal to prove you not only have something to say but also a platform so someone will listen.

Enduring rejections as you seek a publisher.

Meeting deadlines. Rounds of edits. Fighting for your title and against their cover. (Actually this was all wonderful for me, but it often isn’t.)

Waiting.

Then the joy of seeing your newborn book. Can it be? My book in living color. Words in print with a beautiful cover. 

Then comes Launch.

I know very few writers who like to sell themselves. But you have to promote your baby. So many details: launch team, memes, posts for others and by others, podcasts, radio interviews, flood social media with the value of your book. So much work. So grateful for all those on the launch team and others who help.

Launch day. A celebration. A reveal. 

But…will they like it? Will they like me? Will they say nice things?

No. More important—Will it touch lives, encourage, give hope…?

Waiting.

For the numbers. For the sales. For the reviews. 

Then your publisher says: When can we get your next book?

Your first thought: Yes! They like it. It’s doing well!

Your second thought: What? You want me to go through this again? Maybe I will just go back to pouring my heart out in my blog.

So today, as we are in countdown to liftoff, I was so blessed to look out the window at the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian to see the fiery sky pictured above. And I thank God for the privilege of blessing many who love a prodigal with real help and real hope.

C2019 Judy Douglass