Learning to Write: Book Launch Party by Jacqui Jacoby #Giveaway

We have author Jacqui Jacoby sharing her tips for a launch party of a new release book!

When With a Vengeance came out two years ago, it was my first book and I wanted it to be something to remember. I researched “launch parties” and everything I found on the internet was how to promote the books and get agents and editors to come to your bash. What I found dealt with large venues that were rented and inviting the businesses in town with the town’s officials. It was all about sales and presence.

That’s not what I was thinking of, it’s not what I wanted the memory to be.

With my last book out last week, promoting was not what this party was about.

I took the concept of” launch party” and I pulled it into an intimate setting and started planning what I saw as the perfect way to celebrate years of hard work.

We had friends at the house. We decorate to match the theme of the book. In this case, Bystander and Hollywood.

I wanted a celebration with my close friends and family of what I had accomplished.

Invitations were done word of mouth and by Facebook. Nothing fancy.

Food was planned; just a cake and ice cream with a variety of beverages. For the cake, it took three calls in town to find a baker who could make one with a photographic image on it instead of mere icing.

This cake has become important. At every party, with every book, everyone wants to see the cake. The flavor? Whatever is the favorite of heroine. The music, whatever the hero likes best.

Suggested decorations for the venue:

· About six or eight small place cards set around the room with character facts. In my case “Beth doesn’t like chocolate” (above) and “Sean doesn’t listen to anything produced after 1979.”

· A playlist that represents your book playing softly in the background. For us, it was Sean’s classic rock.

· Recipe cards might be featured. One recipe that works for him, one for her. I made the Sangria that Beth loves and served it in cups the color that matched the cover of the book. Guests took the cards home.

· 8.5X11 covers of the book displayed in acrylic frames. Not only for this book, but others, if you have them. I put them around the room with a note on two: “Ask Me about My Next Book.” It was a great conversation starter.

· A couple of disposable cameras for guests to use to capture spontaneity.

· Balloon bouquets, steamers, silk rose petals here and there. Things that say “party”.

· Most important: Your new release displayed. Stacks standing next to one that stands alone and strong. Keep a pen handy if someone wants a copy autographed. We sold ours at cost to our friends and family.

A Launch Party doesn’t have to be an official occasion to promote name and sales. Sometimes it can be a mere celebration of this wonderful thing you worked so hard to achieve. Let your family be there with you. Have your friends come and see why you were always so busy. And have fun. In the end, that’s all it is about sometimes!!

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Award-winning author, Jacqui Jacoby lives and writes in the beauty of Northern Arizona. Currently adjusting to being an empty nester with her first grandchild to draw her pictures, Jacqui is a self-defense hobbyist. Having studied martial arts for numerous years she retired in 2006 from the sport, yet still brings strength she learned from the discipline to her characters. She is a working writer, whose career includes writing books, novellas & short stories, teaching online & live workshops and penning short nonfiction.

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BYSTANDER

A man raised in the Hollywood lifestyle, Sean Branigan wanted to try something other than parties and high maintenance way of life. With the birth of his son, Adian, Sean walked away from the glitz to try something new. He developed a television show that would keep him in one place long enough to raise his kid right.

Beth Hardwick has worked on the set of Snap Shots since its premiere episode five years ago. A writer by hobby, a reader by trade, she knew her all about her boss's reputation and his pretty ladies and never thought twice that he would look in her direction.

Just getting out of a short-term, tepid warm relationship, Beth never expected trouble from her ex. She certainly never expected she would have to turn to Sean for help.

As the ex refuses to back down, each threat he throws escalates until fear is the only reaction. It’s not only makes Beth a target, but Sean and Adian, too. Under guard and terrified, they will have to trust each other to get them all to their new life.

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