I recently had the honour of launching a book – the excellent historical novel, The Favourite of the Harem set in 16th century Turkey, written by my friend Cindy Davies. Everyone enjoyed a glass of bubbly, there were short speeches and lots of copies of the book were sold.
Book launches used to be regularly held by publishers to celebrate a new publication, but they have given up holding them – too many costs and not enough sales to cover the wine and cheese and the work in arranging them. That’s a pity, as they can be great fun. Ideally, a book launch has a gathering of family and friends, a speech by the author and by the person launching the book, a short reading from the new publication, and a long line of eager buyers, all wanting their copies signed. Sometimes refreshments are themed to suit the content of the book (there was no Turkish delight at Cindy’s lovely event), costumes can be worn, or appropriate music played in the background. During Covid, writers were forced to launch their books on Zoom, and evidently some authors are still choosing to do this, but I can’t see this way of doing it lasting, as making sales on the day becomes much more challenging.
A book launch is a great way for an author to celebrate their big achievement. Writing is such a solitary activity, so a party brings that lonely time to an end. It can be a good marketing opportunity, especially if you invite members of the press along. Cindy prepared a fabulous short film, with comments from her about her new book and photos of places where she set scenes. I thought this was an excellent marketing idea, a way of spreading the news about a new book beyond the group invited to the launch.
Sometimes, however, the best planned book launch goes wrong. There’s an hilarious scene in Bridget Jones’s Diary when hapless Bridget attends a book launch for a book named ‘Kafka’s Motorbike’ and meets Salman Rushdie. Her veneer of being well read and sophisticated does not last long!
Next year I’ll be launching my new book, Cats and Their Authors. I can’t plan a date yet, but am already excited about the event – a big celebration after years of work will be just the right way to see my new book out into the world, there to make its way with, hopefully, great success.
Have you ever launched a book, or attended book launches? Do you always buy the book? Let me know in a comment.
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Prue
Hi Susannah, Thank you for your excellent newsletters. They always make interesting and enjoyable reading. I will save your new email address and look forward to many more wonderful stories to come. Best wishes, Prue
Susannah Fullerton
So glad you enjoy my newsletters. Thanks Prue.
Catherine Patterson
Susannah, what exciting news to read (above) that you have a new book, ‘Cats and Their Authors’, being released sometime this year 🐈 It’s definitely on my to-buy-book list once released : )
Susannah Fullerton
Thanks, Catherine. I am SO excited about my new book, though I don’t have a publication date yet, I now know it will be some time in 2025. It will definitely be a book for anyone who loves cats. And, to make it even more exciting, it is being published by the Bodleian Library Publishing Company.