Hello, fellow penslingers and imaginative souls, to an invigorating journey through the emotional rollercoaster of book launch! Self-publishing can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, especially for those who have experienced the traditional publishing route. In this blog post, we'll explore the various emotions you may encounter during your book launch and share some valuable insights, explanations, and actionable tips to help you navigate this exciting but challenging phase of your writing career.
1. Anticipation: The Thrill of the Unknown
Remember the anticipation you felt as a child waiting for your birthday party? That's the kind of excitement you'll experience leading up to your book launch. Embrace this feeling and channel it into positive energy to fuel your motivation and creativity. Remember, your hard work is finally coming to fruition!
Actionable Tip: Create a countdown calendar or a motivational vision board to keep your enthusiasm high during this phase.
2. Doubt: The Inner Critic's Unwelcome Return
As the launch approaches, self-doubt may creep in. You might question your writing skills, the market's reception, or even the worthiness of your story. Rest assured, these doubts are a natural part of the process. Recognize them for what they are: mere shadows cast by your inner critic.
Actionable Tip: Combat self-doubt by revisiting positive feedback from beta readers or early reviewers. Remind yourself of the unique perspective you bring as an experienced author.
3. Overwhelm: Taming the Beast
With the self-publishing process comes a multitude of tasks – editing, cover design, formatting, marketing, and more. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your book launch be. Break down your to-do list into manageable tasks, set realistic deadlines, and enlist help where needed.
Actionable Tip: Consider hiring professionals for certain aspects, such as editing or cover design, to relieve some of the workload and ensure a polished final product.
4. Excitement: Celebrating Milestones
Amidst the chaos, don't forget to celebrate your achievements. Each milestone, big or small, deserves recognition. From completing the first draft to receiving positive reviews, acknowledge and relish these moments. Share your joy with friends, family, and fellow authors who understand the significance of these milestones.
Actionable Tip: Plan mini-celebrations along the way, such as treating yourself to a special meal or organizing a virtual gathering with your support network.
5. Anxiety: Managing the Fear of Rejection
As writers, our books are our babies, and the fear of rejection can be paralyzing. Remember, not every reader will resonate with your work, and that's okay. Embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth and improvement, rather than a personal attack.
Actionable Tip: Seek out supportive writing communities or critique groups where you can share your work and receive constructive feedback. Surround yourself with fellow writers who understand the emotional journey you're on.
6. Gratitude: Embracing the Journey
Throughout the book launch process, take a moment to reflect on the journey you've embarked upon. Express gratitude for the opportunity to share your story with the world, for the lessons learned, and for the joy writing brings you. Gratitude will help you stay grounded and appreciate the entire process, including the highs and lows.
Actionable Tip: Keep a gratitude journal where you jot down three things you're grateful for every day. This practice will remind you of the bigger picture and keep you focused on the positive aspects of your book launch.
Conclusion:
Congratulations, seasoned authors, on reaching the end of this emotional rollercoaster ride! Remember, the book launch is just one part of your writing journey. Embrace the highs and lows, acknowledge your emotions, and surround yourself with a supportive network. By doing so, you'll not only navigate the emotional challenges but also enjoy the exhilarating experience of sharing your words with the world.
Now, go forth and conquer the self-publishing world, armed with newfound insights, actionable tips, and the unwavering belief in your writing abilities! Happy book launch!
Stephanie Krol
Dr. S. has a proven reputation of excellence & professionalism alike among clients & peers, in Higher Education Administration (Chicago-land market), and is a Publishing Services Provider. Krol is a well-known Multi-Award-Winning Educator (Professor, Speaker, Curriculum & Training Developer, & sought after Allied Health-Higher Education Dean (school turn around expert), while Investing & Brokering over the last 25+years, because of her proven market knowledge, integrity, and personalized approach. She transitioned into Publishing services, and enjoys advocating for authors, is a #1 Best-Selling National and International Author, a Certified Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist, and an entrepreneur. Dr. S. is: ➰a Boutique Publishing Services Provider, and Founder of Riley-Infinity & Lemniscate-Infinity Press ➰An Amazon Best Selling, & National Multi-Award-Winning Author (What the Pet Food Industry IS NOT Telling You…) ➰a Health Advocate (Functional Medicine Practitioner) ➰a Co-owner of a Real Estate School (Nationwide) Featured in many articles, podcasts, radio & TV relative to her functional medicine background, pet health & wellness consulting and publishing. She was inducted into The Marquis Who’s Who Publication Board. Her clients books have won a NYC Big Books Award, Silver, and BIBA. Her book has won 2022 Gold-NYC Big Books Award, Distinguished Favorite for Nonfiction Book Cover, 2022 Gold-Nonfiction Author’s Association, Living Now Award-Gold 2022 (IPPY), IBPA Benjamin Franklin, Silver Award 2022 & Independent Press Award 2022. She has very positive professional reviews (Kirkus, BookLife/Publishers Weekly, Blue Ink & The Wishing Shelf). She partners with: other publishing service providers, and independent authors, managing books for High-end Influencers, & Speakers all the way to a la cart folks creating DIY beautiful legacy books for their families. From fiction, to non-fiction, political, business, Ph.D. peers & higher educators alike, to decades long systematic world changers, children’s book writers, working with those passionate about their books, positively moved to change the world! Passionate about reversing disease & pain in dogs, cats & horses around the world, by changing the conversation from yearly vet visits to what we put in and on our pets daily!