by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
This year, I will have at least
four, maybe five (the fifth will be pushing it) releases. Three are traditionally published, I’ve
got one new self-pub release, and there's one that’s waiting in the wings.
Somehow, though, despite all
the releases, I freeze up when it’s launch day.
You’d think I’d never had a release in my life. I really have no idea
why I do this, but I’m now coming up with a handy-dandy cheat sheet for me so
that I can refer to this post when I freeze up again…which will likely happen
with the December Penguin release.
After I get the formatted files
back from my formatter (thanks Rik Hall), or
after the traditional press book launches, I need to:
For self-pub books:
Upload to Smashwords.
Upload to Nook.
Upload to Kindle.
Upload to CreateSpace.
Check my emails or the
individual platform sites to see how the review processes are going for
CreateSpace and Smashwords.
When CreateSpace approves my
content, I need to order proof copies (yes, I actually like to see the physical book and make sure the cover fits.)
Make sure Smashwords isn’t
having any issues with my upload. Fix any issues that arise.
Check on Nook’s progress. Nook is poky.
By this time, Amazon will
already be live. Use the Amazon link to
claim my book on ACX (the audiobook platform).
Send email to ACX asking them for a stipend for the narrator (and
referencing the other books in the series.)
For self-pub and trad. pub:
Update my website that I have a
new book available. Paste in the Amazon
buy-link (at that point, the only one ready to go.)
Post the release on my two
business-related Facebook accounts (I’ve got two names I write under.) I skip posting about the release on my
personal Facebook account…I’ve got so many annual releases that I think my friends
and family would be heartily sick of hearing about them. At least I’m gearing to readers on my other
accounts. I only post once on the
release on the business Facebooks, to avoid overkill.
I don’t tweet the release on
Twitter. But I will link to this post,
which will increase awareness indirectly.
Update my Amazon Author
page. Add the new book to my list of
books.
Update Goodreads.
Update various bios and avatar
bios. Lately, I haven’t done this—I’ve just listed on the bios that I have 3
series and to visit my website (it’s just time-consuming).
For self-pub:
Are any of the other buy links
live? Nook? Smashwords? Add those to my website.
Look over my proof from
CreateSpace.
Once I’ve got CreateSpace live,
order copies for a Goodreads giveaway.
Link to the giveaway on my website.
Actually, I should really list the giveaway months before the print release,
then provide the giveaway copies once they’re available.
Check on progress of auditions
for narrators at ACX. Choose narrator
for project.
For Self-pub and trad. pub:
If you were a
smart author and had a mailing list for your newsletter…you should send out a
newsletter on the release. No comment as to whether I’m a smart author or
not. :(
Write blog posts
for blog tour. If you were smart and are
doing a blog tour. No comment again. :(
Remember to add a short
addendum to the bottoms of my blog posts about the new release. This is the top
thing that I forget to do.
Update LinkedIn (again, usually
forget this.)
Keep writing next book. The deadlines will bite me if I don’t.
What have I forgotten? I’m sure, knowing me, plenty.