Read on Twitter
Debuting in a pandemic is ultra hard and we're prob looking at another 6+ months of this
SO
My thread of advice for 2021 debuts!
And I would love any other 2020 debuts to weigh in with their own lessons from this hellscape of a year! (1/?)
SO
My thread of advice for 2021 debuts!
And I would love any other 2020 debuts to weigh in with their own lessons from this hellscape of a year! (1/?)
First up: DON'T PANIC!
I know the industry feels unstable and you're worried you won't have those sweet bookstore browsing eyes on your book
BUT books are still selling! Pubs are still pubbing! Your book will get out there, people will buy it, and readers will read it. (2/?)
I know the industry feels unstable and you're worried you won't have those sweet bookstore browsing eyes on your book
BUT books are still selling! Pubs are still pubbing! Your book will get out there, people will buy it, and readers will read it. (2/?)
Next: reach out to shops/libraries about virtual events. Got a favorite shop but it's in another state? Ask them about booking an event the month of your debut!
I did events with bookshops that I wouldn't have been able to visit physically, and it gave me greater exposure (3/?)
I did events with bookshops that I wouldn't have been able to visit physically, and it gave me greater exposure (3/?)
But also: spread out your virtual events.
They are weirdly exhausting (more so than in-person I think) and you will get tired of them pretty quickly. As long as you're scheduling them within the first few months of your pub date, you're still drawing new eyes (4/?)
They are weirdly exhausting (more so than in-person I think) and you will get tired of them pretty quickly. As long as you're scheduling them within the first few months of your pub date, you're still drawing new eyes (4/?)
Get real comfortable with a photo design site (I like Canva but ymmv)
All these virtual events you're doing? You need to promote them! Across multiple platforms! A site like Canva will help you figure out the dimensions and create pretty, polished graphics (5/?)
All these virtual events you're doing? You need to promote them! Across multiple platforms! A site like Canva will help you figure out the dimensions and create pretty, polished graphics (5/?)
Spread your events out over multiple platforms.
I did events on Zoom, IG, YouTube Live, Facebook, Crowdcast, etc.
Different people have access to different platforms, and you'll want to reach a wide variety of audiences (6/?)
I did events on Zoom, IG, YouTube Live, Facebook, Crowdcast, etc.
Different people have access to different platforms, and you'll want to reach a wide variety of audiences (6/?)
Don't forget to post about your book AFTER it comes out! (okay this one may just be for me)
There is a lot of work that goes into promo before your book pubs, and the week of pub, but sometimes it drops off after that.
Post about milestones! 1 wk, 1 mon, 3 mons etc (7/?)
There is a lot of work that goes into promo before your book pubs, and the week of pub, but sometimes it drops off after that.
Post about milestones! 1 wk, 1 mon, 3 mons etc (7/?)
Reach out to other debuts and ask them to do events together!
I did a historical fic panel with @smcohoe @thechloegong @WriterJuneHur and @kristinlwrites and we had THE MOST FUN.
These events don't have to be arranged through your pub and are a fun way to share spotlight (8/?)
I did a historical fic panel with @smcohoe @thechloegong @WriterJuneHur and @kristinlwrites and we had THE MOST FUN.
These events don't have to be arranged through your pub and are a fun way to share spotlight (8/?)
I'll post more suggestions when/if I think of them
If any debuts out there have any questions please also post them here!
And other 2020 debuts, weigh in with your best advice!
It's hard out there for a debut and we've got to look out for each other (9/?)
If any debuts out there have any questions please also post them here!
And other 2020 debuts, weigh in with your best advice!
It's hard out there for a debut and we've got to look out for each other (9/?)
Oh and I should say, this advice is specifically focused on "debuting during a worldwide pandemic with most/all industry events shut down" but if anyone has routine "Panic! At the Debut" advice share it here too!
Thought of another one!
DON'T WATCH SALES NUMBERS
Do not watch them on Amazon
Do not watch them in your author portals
Do not watch them on a boat
Do not watch them with a goat
All of those tools are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to real sales numbers. (11/?)
DON'T WATCH SALES NUMBERS
Do not watch them on Amazon
Do not watch them in your author portals
Do not watch them on a boat
Do not watch them with a goat
All of those tools are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to real sales numbers. (11/?)
*DJ Khalid voice* ANOTHER ONE
Pre-order incentives are always a hot topic in debut groups.
But in this, the year of our COVID, if you're extra worried about figuring out packaging and shipping and ordering...just don't do it. Focus your energy where you're excited (12/?)
Pre-order incentives are always a hot topic in debut groups.
But in this, the year of our COVID, if you're extra worried about figuring out packaging and shipping and ordering...just don't do it. Focus your energy where you're excited (12/?)
