What do you do if you’re ready to launch a book during the pandemic? Book launches can be more intimidating than writing the book itself. Throw in the current pandemic, and you may consider taking a hard pass.
If you are ready launch your book, but you face pandemic restrictions, a digital launch may be a better option than delaying your book launch until COVID blows over. Why run the risk of losing out on a deposit for a rental space, or spending money on an in-person event that might get cancelled?
Today we feature the insightful honestly of Erik Buchanan who recently held a digital book launch for his latest novel, The Wire Noose, published by Dragon Moon Press.
Launching A Novel During A Pandemic
Q: What kind of pandemic restrictions have you faced where you are?
I live in Toronto, and it has been pretty bad here. We are a large population centre, and have a provincial government that has not enacted strong public health measures, infection mitigation measures or contact tracing. As a result, the numbers keep spiking and we go from lockdown to lockdown.
Q: Where were you in the writing process when the pandemic hit, and how has that affected your process?
Before the pandemic, I was primarily ghostwriting, and working on my own material in my spare time. Since the pandemic began, my largest ghostwriting client has vanished, which, while putting a hit on my income, has allowed me to spend more time writing my own material. Unfortunately, the stress of the pandemic, has resulted in a lower output than I would like.
Q: What were your biggest concerns about this book launch?
Getting people to attend and selling books. I usually do book launches at conventions. I spend a lot of time at the event promoting things and talking to people, and that results in pretty decent crowds, for an independent author. Usually the book sales cover the expenses and net me around $500 afterward, which is not bad.
Honest Insight: Launching A Book During A Pandemic
Q: How did it go?
Badly. I spent a lot of time promoting to my mail list and to social media, but still only had about 14 people attend the virtual event and the book sales, both pre-orders and day-of, were dismal. Those who attended had a great deal of fun, and said it was a good party, but the numbers were small and did not reflect in sales at all.
Q: Would you do anything differently if you had to do it again?
More promotion, more advertising. I would hold a contest for those who pre-ordered with some decent prizes to help boost the sales.
Q: What is your best piece of for a creative writer specific to writing during a pandemic?
Find or make time to write. It can be very difficult, and there will be days where it is impossible, but always plan on doing it.
The Wire Noose: Erik Buchanan
Q: Tell us about The Wire Noose.
The Wire Noose follows Abyowith’s first case as a Stalker’s Assistant, hunting magically created creatures. In this case, a man is found dead in a locked room, killed by a magical creature. But as they investigate, Abyowith realizes that something far bigger is going on, and that finding out the truth may be murder…
Q: What’s next for you?
Right now I’m continuing Abyowith’s adventures. I’m editing book 2 of The Stalker Chronicles with an eye to getting it out by the end of July, and I’m writing book 3.
About Erik Buchanan
Erik Buchanan is an author, ghostwriter, communications consultant, fight director, actor, black belt, and parent. He has three novels (Small Magics, Cold Magics, and True Magics) published by Canada’s Dragon Moon Press, and has ghostwritten nine books. He has acted on stage, TV and film, and has directed fights for more than 50 productions.