THE Group for Authors! discussion

I’m planning on throwing an online e-book launch party on my blog, next weekend, when I publish my e-book. But, obviously, as it is online, I can’t really offer people any food and drinks, etc. And seeing as I don’t have a physical book, it’s a tad bit difficult to hand ‘em out at a launch party.

But I plan to make my new book free all weekend, and put excerpts up on my blog – like “readings”. Was also thinking about posting “interviews” with the characters.

But what else? What do YOU do when you throw online e-book launch parties?

Neel, you can make your book free for the day, through Amazon. You can have a virtual party and post pictures of the food and drink you're serving. You can run a competition for the best comment on subject of your choice. There's plenty of things to do.

Online events are a bit of fun, so that might give you some ideas.

You have your blog linked to goodreads so everything should show in your goodreads status updates (if blog feed on goodreads not displaying the info wanted, can post a status yourself).

Possibly you might also want to do a Q&A group on goodreads and/or create a goodreads event.

Make sure you give people a way to opt out. One Facebook "friend" drove me insane by e-mailing me and everyone else whose FB name she could access every 10 seconds during her online book party, with the result that I vowed never to buy anything she wrote, ever, under any circumstances—probably not the effect you want.

Oh yes, just what I want, virtual champagne and crumpets to go with a virtual book signing party.

Tsk tsk. Sarcasm does not suit you, Nick.
*takes a sip of virtual wine*
Live a little. Yolo should be your new motto.

What, no virtual chocolate or crumpets? I mean its virtual, go all out...

Nick wrote: "What, no virtual chocolate or crumpets? I mean its virtual, go all out..."

Nick,if only we could all afford the real book signing with the real champagne. Sigh.

Eliza,

If you don't submit to publishers, you will never know.

Nick wrote: "Eliza,

If you don't submit to publishers, you will never know."

My comment was meant as a joke, rather than a
reflection of my efforts behind the scene :)

Eliza, take no offense of Nick. He cannot help it. He was born this way. You'll earn his personality soon enough. I was mistaken that he was rude in the beginning, but now that I know him, I love to tease him considerably.

Nick, stop being a big meanie and have a crumpet.
*shoves a crumpet in his face*

Yummy, with virtual apricot marmalade...

Yes, add that to the list and cheeseitz for when you get drunk off of all that free booze.

Thanks Hannah. In that case, mmmmm this giant piece of virtual chocolate cake is deeelicious!

*eyes light up*
Chocolate cake?

With double fudge layers and cream.

Yum.

Neel wrote: "I’m planning on throwing an online e-book launch party on my blog, next weekend, when I publish my e-book. But, obviously, as it is online, I can’t really offer people any food and drinks, etc. And..."

Hi Neel,
Why don't you offer an eBook signing event. we have been doing this for many authors/publishers and it helps create a great fan connection, plus you are also automatically building your own fan base. Check us out at www.autography.com and email me at [email protected] for more details.

Interesting idea Garry. What's the cost for something like this?

Donna wrote: "Interesting idea Garry. What's the cost for something like this?"

Hi Donna,
We have a setup fee for the author, to load his ePub tiltes into the system and create his authentication and login ID which is $99. The author will need an iPad to actually perform the signings. The author is then charged $9 a month for an unlimited number of book signings.
The author can setup the system to give away free titles or sell via CC or PayPal. For all sales that go through the system we retain 10% to cover distribution costs. The recipient receives a signed eBook (inside front cover).
For the initial live or online event we will help with setup. The key is that we capture each recipient's email address, which can then be utilized for ongoing fan base building, author to reader direct communication etc.
If you send me your email address to [email protected] I will have one of our authors sign a book for you.

Hope that helps.
Garry

And yes, the vendors are making more money than the writers are making...

Nick wrote: "And yes, the vendors are making more money than the writers are making..."
Hi Nick,
Sorry you feel that way...we have invested in excess of $1m in this platform to date. The goal is to help authors promote their eBooks and to create a social platform that in turn will increase their exposure and sales. Our original concept was created after my partner Tom Waters went on a tour to Afghanistan and Iraq. His book had done really well with the troops, but since it was an eBook he ended up taking out his sharpie and signing the backs of kindle and other eReader devices. We created an initial app that allowed an author to sign the inside cover of an eBook and Autography was born.
Of course we have significant interest from Publishers and digital retailers, but would also like to offer it out directly to the authors so that they can actually retain and grow their fan base, creating their own marketing engine. If we go down the corporate route then it will be the Publishers and Retailers who retain that important data.
Regards,
Garry

S.J. wrote: "That is a great idea. You are having a global party with how far social media can reach."

Thanks S.J. exactly the concept...create a social profile for the author that connects him/her directly to their readers. As well as simple blog tours we have seen great online events via Ustream and Skype, allowing authors to connect with readers on a global basis and providing their audience the opportunity to receive a personally signed version of their eBook.

I'd like to know about having a Book Launch Party on Skype, as I think would be beneficial for my audience base to watch the book signing. They can participate by somehow having their names put in a hat to be picked out for free prizes. Has anyone tried Skype for this?