A book launch party is a light at the end of the tunnel for many authors. It’s a sign that your hard work has paid off and gives you a chance to celebrate all the hours you spent writing and revising your book.
However, without adequate preparation, book launch parties can quickly turn from fanfare to flop. As excited as you are about your book, attendees may be a little shy and could struggle to engage with one another while you speak to guests and publishers.
Make your book launch party unforgettable by planning the event months in advance. Ensure that the venue you book is accessible and plan a few activities to break the ice and build an excited atmosphere.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Books are the perfect example of accessible entertainment. Novels can easily be transformed into audiobooks, and many best-sellers are sold in braille prints as well. However, many book launch parties aren’t as accessible as they should be. Events held in small spaces often present mobility challenges, and some folks may be dissuaded from attending due to large, noisy crowds.
You can make your event more inclusive by foregrounding the needs of participants. Work with the venue to create clear signage for everyone to follow and designate pathways that will work for folks in wheelchairs. Ensure that there is adequate lighting throughout the event and provide reserved seating for people who may need to rest from time to time.
Consider setting up a quiet space to accommodate attendees who have some form of neurodivergence. While many people will enjoy the exciting atmosphere, some may become overwhelmed by the presence of loud crowds.
If you’re concerned about adapting to the needs of your guests, consider sending out an RSVP form. On the form, include a space where folks can detail any accommodations they may need. This will help you consider things like installing ramps and grab rails before the big day.
Activities
Most book launches include little more than a short reading and a break for refreshments. While there’s nothing wrong with reading an excerpt from your book, you can build some serious hype around your release by planning a few fun activities.
Follow in the footsteps of authors like Viet Thanh Nguyen, and use visual devices to improve your reading. Viet Thanh Nguyen does perform a reading during book launches, but uses visual aids, like “a three-minute highlight reel from American movies of the war in Viet Nam,” to enhance the reading experience.
If you struggle to bring energy to the room while reading, consider leaning on other fun activities to enhance your performance. For example, if you’re writing a Don Quixote-inspired cookbook, you could bring a platter of dishes that reflect the trends and meals of Castile-La Mancha in the 17th century.
Theming the Event
Every great book launch party is themed around a particular genre or idea. If you’re a fantasy author, have folks turn up in their finest wizard garb. If you’re a nonfiction foodie, invite folks to bring their favorite dishes from their childhood.
Ensure that the theme you settle on aligns with your audience’s expectations, too. For example, if you’re writing a nonfiction exposé on environmental degradation, you should probably throw a sustainable outdoor party. Encourage folks to carpool to get to the event and use a digital ticketing system instead of paper to reduce waste.
Work with your event planner to find a theme that will support your entire book tour. A clear theme can help you brand yourself as an author, too. Readers in attendance will remember your book launch for years to come if you have a clear message and use your theme to create a buzz around your personal brand.
Refreshments and Food
No book launch is complete without free drinks, food, and snacks. Folks in attendance may not remember your reading or the cover of your book, but they’re certain to recall the prawn cocktail platter or the free margaritas that you offered during your event.
If you’re a fiction writer, consider dreaming up a few dishes based on the world you’ve dreamed up. Jello and mousse are ever-present in sci-fi worlds, while fresh-baked bread and hearty vegetable platters are a staple in fantasy worlds.
Be sure to survey attendees before you head to the grocery store and start cooking. You may be surprised to learn that many of your guests have dietary restrictions and won’t be able to consume the dishes you cook up. Instead, put together a platter of vegan-friendly and gluten-free meals and ensure that the drinks you supply are appropriate for attendees of all ages.
Even if you’re only expecting adult attendees, it’s important to be inclusive by providing non-alcoholic drinks. Some folks might not be able to handle the way alcohol affects the digestive system. Aside from the fact that beverages containing gluten — such as beer — can send an individual with celiac disease to the hospital, alcohol in general may give other guests bad heartburn, among other problems.
Conclusion
A book launch part symbolizes the end of the writing process and the beginning of your tour. It’s a great way to say “thanks” to the folks who supported you during the writing process and can seriously bolster your sales on the launch day. Make the event a success by accounting for accessibility needs long before you book a venue. And be as inclusive as possible. This will ensure that everyone can participate in your event and will help everyone feel included when it comes time to participate in activities and book readings.
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