Book Review: Launch That Book

​Now here's a book review for writers or people who know and love writers (and are looking for ways to support them). Launch That Book is a how-to book that promises to help equip writers with some time tested strategies to build a successful launch team prior to the release of their new book. 
I met Tammy Karasek when I was in the USA earlier this year. She was part of the faculty of Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and her enthusiasm for supporting authors was both immediately noticeable and infectious!

 Tammy is a self-admitting Book Launch Geek, which means she has spent years working behind the scenes with many different authors helping them launch their new books. I've been on a launch team run by Tammy so when she announced she was writing a book sharing her knowledge about this process, I was keen to learn more about her strategy.  

The book is structured around 21 easy to reach chapters, each in Tammy's comfortable tone - which makes you feel more like you're sitting around the fire having a chat than being lectured at. (A good thing, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed by all you need to know as a newbie author!)
The book does assume some general knowledge about book launches though, starting with the expectation that the reader already knows online book launch teams can be useful. And it assumes the author already has something of a presence on social media. This is because an online book launch team a team of people recruited to help promote a new book in online spaces such as social media, review sites and blogs, in the lead up to a book's release. This kind of online momentum can significantly help the visibility of a new book and help the intended readers learn about the book's existence. The book touches briefly on in-person book launch events, but it's main focus is on making the most from an effective launch team.
Launch That Book is practical and relatable, and includes tips on scheduling a book launch, how to choose launch team members, the difference between a street team and a launch team and more. Tammy shares the experience gleaned from organising several hundreds of book launches in this quick to read, readily bookmarked resource. ​

As I was lucky enough to be on the launch team of this book, I took the chance to ask Tammy a few questions about her experience launching books. Here are my questions and her responses:

Penny: What would you say is the number one, absolutely-must-do thing authors should consider when planning to launch a new book? 
Tammy: 'This answer is kind of two-fold. First they must realize they need to utilize the advantages of having a launch team. Second, they need to start early and leave the appropriate time to have the team work the session.' 

Penny: What was your favourite book to launch (other than your own, of course) and what made that launch so special? 
Tammy: 'I don't have a favorite book, but I do have two authors whose launch teams I absolutely love managing. This is because their teams are so eager to work the launch tasks for their favorite authors. These teams have been around for a couple of the launches I've managed and know my schtick with launches and often ask if they can do a specific task which they know is coming! They are a joy to work with and make it a blast. They actually are now on my Elite Launchers Team I can call on to help fill teams when an author can't quite get the numbers for a good launch.' 

Penny: Are there any special considerations authors of children's books should think about when planning their book launches or building launch teams?
Tammy: 'My best advice for children's books authors is to definitely start early. Make friends with librarians, school librarians, etc. When you have your manuscript ready to Indie Pub or under contract, I would ask if you could schedule a time to do a library reading circle to introduce yourself to the library and the parents of those kids. Libraries schedule way out sometimes, and you'd like to make friends with those. Even if you have other stories you've written, but haven't pitched for publishing, you could read those. Bottom line, you want to build a relationship with those that would come along side of you in that genre. When you have a date when your book will launch/release, look for any craft fairs, Christmas shows, Farmers markets to bring your books and set up a booth where parents and grandparents will be walking by.'

​All the details you need:
Title: Launch That Book (part of The Writers Bookshelf series)
Written by: Tammy Karasek
Publisher: Bold Vision Books
Available from Amazon.