By Darlene L. Turner @darlenelturner

How does an author launch a book during COVID-19, especially a debut?

With a big breath!

In 2020 my debut book, Border Breach, was set to release April 1^st (yes, on April Fool’s day!). I was ready with a speaking engagement set up along with various author signings, and my launch team picked. Excitement and nervousness bubbled inside. 

Then wham! COVID hit and everything was cancelled. Panic set in. What do I do now?

Breathe, Darlene, breathe.

I prayed and thanked God. The long journey to publication made me appreciate the fact that I had a book releasing. So, what did I do? Here are some tips that this debut author learned about launching a book.

Use your imagination – There are several ways to build momentum leading up to a book launch. Play a title reveal game. Offer a prize to the person who correctly guesses it. Create fun memes to announce your cover reveal. Use quotes from your launch team to share “what others are saying” about your book. Be creative. After all, we write stories, right?

Launch teams

After observing many successful authors, I’ve discovered they don’t do it alone. Takes a tribe to build a village, right? Setting up a launch team application through Google docs is easy and efficient. It gathers the information you want and puts it into a simple file for easy access. Add a fun name to the team. Mine is called Darlene’s Border Patrol. Influencers are essential to a successful launch. They are our hands and feet, preparing excitement over our books to others. However, the best thing about a launch team? It’s not about the reviews. It’s about relationships. Getting to know each other and sharing prayer requests is priceless.

Stay organized

I had numerous blog posts to write and didn’t want to lose track, so I inserted them into a spreadsheet with all the necessary information: person, due date, go-live date, email address, details and the date submitted. Once I emailed the post, I highlighted the row in green. Done. This simple task kept everything organized and stress free!

Reach out to fellow authors

Writers LOVE helping other writers. Ask them what worked best for them in their launch and what to avoid. They are always willing to lend a helping hand.

Use social media

Yes, social media can be our friend. In today’s age, it is necessary to help launch a book, especially during COVID. We can use it to replace book signings. Here are some helpful hints:

Reach out to other authors who are also launching at the same time and set up a fun event to introduce everyone’s books and play a game. And of course, don’t forget the prizes! Always a must, but they don’t have to be huge. Readers love books and swag.

Read a scene from your book on Facebook Live. Yes, this is scary, but do it. Readers love it. Create memes to build excitement and announce the date. Have a prize for one listener.

Use trailers to help introduce your book and tease readers into wanting more.

Pre-schedule posts when you can, BUT be sure to visit your post and interact with those who comment. This is a must to build relationships.

These points helped me launch my debut book successfully. It’s not as hard or scary as we may think. 

Just breathe and have fun with it! 

What have you found successful in book launches?

Darlene L. Turner’s love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. 

Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice and an ACFW Genesis award. She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Her debut book, Border Breach, released in April, 2020 with Love Inspired Suspense. She has two books releasing in 2021: Abducted in Alaska (March) and Lethal Cover-Up (August).

Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.