A Slice of Orange

As a new debut author, it’s amazing how once you get the green light to publish, there are so many little details for an author to complete. And quickly. I’m in the process of building a debut author checklist to help me keep track of everything. One is specific to book launch, while the other is for a debut author overall.

I’m sure there are lots of helpful lists out there. I’ve seen many posts and emails related to this over the years. I’ve even taken lots of notes during workshops. But it’s sooo different when you are finally in that moment yourself.

So I’m compiling my own list and would love to have input from all the other authors who are part of this blog. Please share lists you use or your own ideas in the comments below. And keep reading to see if I’m missing anything.

Book Launch Checklist

Your book is being published, and you have a date. Now what? Here’s what I have experienced so far with my first book, When Plans Go Awry, launching June 4, 2024.

• Cover design
• Announce cover reveal in newsletter and social media
• Sign up for some blog interviews close to book launch date
• Back cover copy
• Send file out to authors to write endorsements
• Final edits
• Final inside matter – map, dedication page, acknowledgements, author’s note, endorsements, author bio
• At the end of the book include a link to sign up for newsletter
• Teaser for next book
• Galley Proof
• Update facebook header with new book cover
• Book page on your website
• Book page on your publisher website
• Book page on GoodReads (and link to author page)
• Pull quotes from book to create graphics

Are there other things you do with each book? Since I work full time and my son is getting married the same month my book launches, my husband and I agreed a book launch manager would be beneficial for my first book since I wanted to do an official launch team. Additional tasks for this include:

• Recruit people to be a part of book launch team (with google form for signups)
• Identify giveaways for book launch members (see my rooster below)
• Create content for book launch members to use
• Create special content for members

Debut Author Checklist

I’ve been working on this journey a long time and even though I’ve established my website and social media, I’m finding my debut author checklist is long for all the things I still want to do. Of course working on Book 2 is on the list, but there are other things that need to happen so I can maximize this first book launch.

• Create an author GoodReads page (this is a bit of a process without an ISBN number, but it is possible. I was able to get this built and link my book page together) Need to have this account use the email that you use for your website
• Newsletter set up – build newsletter list
• Update website pages where needed (make sure all references to previous book titles or content have been updated)
• Create a new updated logo (my son is designing one for me)
• Create Amazon Author page
• Booksweeps account
• Bookbub account
• Fictionfinder account
• Take new head shots
• Post a lot on social media to generate buzz and gain momentum

Again, I’m sure there’s things I’m missing and I would love to learn what others have done or wish they would’ve done in the very beginning. Let’s hear it! Post in the comments below.

All-in-all, I’m enjoying this new stage of my writing journey, even though it’s all new for me and feels a bit never-ending. This year I chose the word grow as my focus word. As you can see from the list above, I am growing in lots of knowledge on how to be a debut author and manage a book launch.

If you are interested in joining my book launch team, I’d love to have you. Sign up on my book launch team google form. And have a chance to win the stuffed rooster.