Seven Things to Do While Waiting for your Book to Release

And the winner of Deb Raney's newest release, Home at Last, is ... Tonya Robinette. Congrats,Tonya! Please e-mail your address to andreamerrell7 @ gmail (dot) com, and we will get your book in the mail. Thanks for participating in our giveaway.

 By Andrea Merrell

In my last post, we talked about many of the reasons it takes so long (usually a year) from contract to publication for your book.

Now that you understand the steps that go into getting your book ready to launch, let’s look at seven things you can do in the meantime.

  

While you’re waiting:

1. Work on your platform

Make sure you have a viable presence on social media, and do some networking.

2. Work on your blog/website

Make sure your blog/website is up to date and others can easily contact you. Include all links to your social media.

3. Create a marketing plan

This can be as simple or elaborate as you can afford. You can do it on your own or hire someone to help.

4. Create social media posts

Compose Tweets, Facebook posts, and blogs you can use to promote your book. And don't forget Pinterest.

5. Create a tribe

Choose your team/influencers and plan your launch party.

6. Plan a blog tour 

Ask other writers if you can be a guest blogger on their site.

7. Pray 

Give your project to God and ask Him to guide you in your next steps. Pull together a team of people who will pray for you and for your book.

The bottom line is this: 

Don't wait. Start now. If you wait until your book is out, you're way behind schedule.

What have you encountered

while waiting for your book

to release. We would love to

hear from you.

(Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

TWEETABLE

 A writer’s to-do list while waiting for a book to release. (Click to tweet)