The Difference A Year Makes

This is part of the Bittersweet Book Launch case study, where Dan Blank and Miranda Beverly-Whittemore share the yearlong process of launching her novel. You can view all posts here.

Miranda & I spent the past couple of days wandering around Book Expo, which is much how this launch project began. On my other blog, I reflect on the difference a year makes: “New York Times Bestselling Author” (and other things you would like to have permanently attached to your name)

In that post, I also outlined three agenda items that she and I were to discuss over lunch on the High Line in NYC:

  • New ways to connect with readers. Note: this is not really about promoting the novel to new readers, but instead about engaging with folks who have already read Bittersweet. In other words: to create new ways to talk with readers, instead of just having them be represented as some sales figure. Oh, and I’ll be honest here, these types of activities do tend to encourage the best type of marketing: WORD OF MOUTH marketing.
  • Thinking mid-term as to how she can keep connections going with readers and those who supported Bittersweet once the “launch period” has run its course. We have no idea when that will be, but we know we need to setup the channels and practices now.
  • Talk about her NEXT book, and the long-term preparation for that.

I am so excited to be framing these next steps! Will share details soon.
Thanks.
-Dan