Writing Wednesday – What’s Release Day Like?
6 January 2010
As an aspiring author, you fantasize about seeing your book for sale on bookshelves. You should. It’s awesome.
So when the publisher says to you, “Your book will be released on July 1st,” or whatever, your excitement is almost more than you can express. A release date! You have a release date. On that date, you’ll be able to walk into a bookstore and see your book there on the shelf. It’ll be sitting there, available for anyone to buy. And there will be glowing reviews like this posted all over the net, declaring that YOU HAVE ARRIVED.
Um, not quite.
I’ve now had two release dates, so I’m far from a pro at this, but in my experience, release day is kind of a let down. My family has remembered. My close friends have too. Everybody else seemed to remember around the time I broadcasted the delightful date on Facebook.
And that walking into the store and seeing your book baby on the shelf? Not likely. Especially if it’s your first one, and you’re like me. The world wasn’t sitting around waiting for Me, Just Different to release. They don’t know who I am; why should they care?
Plus, if you write for Revell, the release date is actually an “in stores by now” date. The Barnes and Noble down the road from me had copies of Out with the In Crowd about three weeks before the book actually released. Which was awesome (Christmas sales, baby), but when January 1st came around, I was like, “Oh, hey … so you can officially buy it now, I guess.”
Not exactly like I used to imagine back in the day, but that’s just kinda life. And walking into a random bookstore and not finding your book on the shelves is a darn good ego balance for reviews like this. (Yes, I’ve now linked to it twice, but it’s an awesome review. Gotta use whatever I can.)
Hope everyone has a stellar Wednesday. See y’all back here tomorrow to talk about what a teacher’s pet wannabe I continue to be, even in my twenties when I should know better.
Comments
What a wonderful review but so deserving:)
Posted by Beth Hines on 6 January 2010
I must say, what a fabulous review you linked to. ;-)
And as someone whose book STILL isn’t on any physical shelves, I can totally relate. =) But still. It’s pretty cool for it to be out there, isn’t it? And you now have TWO lovely books taking up shelf space!!
Posted by Roseanna White on 6 January 2010