Assembling a book launch virtual team, for my latest novel: China Tour Options

[Norman D Gutter]

Hello to all at MM.

I finished the first round of edits on my latest novel (and currently working on the second round), and am ready to begin putting a virtual book launch team together. My tentative title for the novel has been China Tour. However, I’m thinking of changing that to Smugglers and Spies. The title is very much up in the air. The one-sentence description is: An American couple’s troubled marriage is further strained when they become embroiled in a CIA operation while touring China. The book is about 74,000 words, or 257 pages when formatted for editing. It's set in 1983.

This is the first time I’ve tried to put a virtual book launch team together, so I’m kind of feeling my way. What I thought I would ask of my team:
- Read the book. I’ll supply a Word or PDF copy ASAP. I’d ask that you read it within two weeks and give me some feedback.
- Give me feedback about the title. Is one of these better, or does something else seem good to you?
- Obviously if you find the book isn’t something you could endorse you can back out.
- Within the first month of publication, make at least three on-line posts promoting it. This could be a blog post, Facebook post, tweet, or whatever, the goal being to get some buzz started.
- Once the book publishes, post a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
- After publication, I’ll give everyone on the launch team an official copy, either paper or electronic at your choice. I’m hoping to do the paperback version almost simultaneous with the print version, but the cover will dictate that.

Anyone want in on the launch team? Message me here, respond in-thread with your e-mail, or e-mail me at norman_d_gutter AT yahoo DOT com. I’ll have the file to you within a few hours.

[JustDaniel]

Great news, David. If I were not such a horribly slow reader, I'd offer to join your team, but alas, I'm slower than a snail! But I'll look forward to it's publication. I'd be more than happy to plug it on Facebook, of course, once it's out.

deLighting in the news, Daniel

P.S. I'd like to ask you to lobby to have Lori move this 'Announcement' section to the TOP of the boards; I KNOW there would be a LOT more participation among the participants if it were there. There is just too much to wade through to get down here. e.g. No one has even visited my post just below yours now, that I posted a few days before yours. [Just a request. I'd love to see more interaction between folks on the board, and I think this would help!] Thanks, my friend!

[Norman D Gutter]

Thanks, Daniel. Unfortunately I'm not registered as a lobbyist.

NDG

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi Dave,

What a great idea! I would enjoy helping, however, I am traveling all next week, and the two weeks following, I have a CRAZY work schedule that I anticipate will keep me up late.

Perhaps I can help in some other way next month? In any event, I wish you nothing but success with your novel!

Best,
~Lori

[Psyche]

Hi Dave,

I also think it's a great idea and wish to congratulate you on actually having reached this stage of your proposed publication.

I have an entire collection of poems "ready" for publication, but keep tweaking them and never find the time to put them in the correct order or to finish all those details related to producing an attractive book.

That would be nothing in comparison to the personal problems that keep me away from being very active on MM. I might even move house in the near future...wow...just too much to cope with!

So I can't take on any more deadlines at the moment, however attractive your project seems. A pity. I will gladly take part in promoting your book on websites, FB, Twitter or any other place you suggest.

Best of luck, Dave,
cheers, Syl***

[Norman D Gutter]

Thanks Lori and Syl. I'll be back in touch around the actual launch date, once scheduled, and give you some ideas on the promotion.

NDG