“When is the book launch?”
(Note: this post’s featured image was created by Claude.ai based on the copy of this post.)
The two questions asked most frequently while creating a book — in my experience so far — are:
“How is the book going?” and
“When will the book be out?”
The first is usually straightforward to answer… an author can give the stage (writing, editing, layout) and a brief update reflecting however they feel about that stage at the time.
The second has become my kryptonite.
I started these first two book projects so long ago I honestly can’t remember what the first launch date target was. Maybe someday I’ll tell the whole story — but for now we’ll fast forward to the part where I tried to find an editor to work with on the book and had a really difficult time of it until I complained about the struggles of trying to find an editor to work with when editing caused so many issues with my RSD and other brain challenges in a mastodon post, and Laura Matthews found me.
At that time I was on my fourth full from-scratch rewrite and had a partial manuscript. I set a launch target, we started working together, and then Laura made every single committed deadline on time and I have met exactly zero. The launch date slipped, slipped again, and then when I found my book designer Caerus Kourt, and we began book design, we set a launch date and then I followed the same pattern. Caerus making every deadline and commitment; me slipping now both on commitments to Laura and Caerus and therefore, my readers.
The last time I set a launch date, it was my “final drop-dead” of getting the books (and then the Workbook) into market in time for annual reset in 2024, which means Q3 of 2024. I’ve (obviously) missed that date — still, all, due to my own anxiety about the book(s) and my avoidance of completing even fairly basic and not difficult tasks for weeks at a time because I’m scared.
So I’ve given up on a launch date. These books will launch when they launch. I don’t plan to do the whole 30-day run-up to a launch day to build buzz — that won’t happen for the Workbook, for sure … once we’ve reviewed the print proofs, which is hopefully soon, that one goes on sale. I may do a bit of a pre-launch for “You Are A Strategist,” but we’ll see. Since I’m self-publishing, there is still so much to do — finding advance readers, securing book blurbs, outreach for the podcast-based “book launch tour,” developing marketing materials, handling the logistics of print proofs and prep, and publishing prep — that doesn’t sound like that much, but with my wiring, it’s a mountain, not a molehill.
The best I can say right now is hopefully Q1. The Workbook is very near its print proof; and YAAS is in layout. Its layout is much simpler than the Workbook (I don’t think Caerus will ever work with me on another workbook project — although I hope they will, since I have another already in mind) so it’s possible that they’ll both go to print proof around the same time; but the process after print proof of final editing and blurb addition to the produced book may mean they don’t actually release at the same time.
I am gearing up to record the audiobook — an accessible, high-quality audiobook is a very important priority for me, since that increases the accessibility of the book significantly. When the audiobook comes up another frequently asked question follows: “Are you reading it yourself?” The answer is yes. The reaction to that is mixed: some people have actually started with a statement not a question: “You have to read it yourself,” or “I hope you’re going to read it yourself.” Others, when I say I’m doing the narration give me a slightly skeptical look which I take to mean that they’re among the folks who when listening to an audiobook are sensitive to the types of vocal patterns my voice exhibits which are not — shall we say — a perfectly smooth radio voice. But, that’s that — it will be me.
My accessibility plans for the audiobook are to briefly narrate the figures and other visual elements of the book; and provide a link to extended descriptions (full alt-text style) for people who need either a full written or verbal description of the figures. My hope is that increases the accessibility of the book itself without negatively impacting the listening experience; and, still provides full access to the information for people who need it.
I’ve already added “key takeaways” at the end of each chapter; a friend asked this week for a summary at the end of the audiobook, which I think is a good idea (and which isn’t currently in the manuscript).
Now my question for you:
What audiobook accessibility features are important for you?
Please let me know — it’s important to me that these books are as useful as possible for as many people as possible, and I’ve done my homework, but I also find that people have wisdom that’s not necessarily reflected in the best practices, so I would greatly appreciate your input.
That’s it for today. Thank you for your patience as I work through the psychology of putting this work out into the world; I appreciate both your patience and your support, and I look forward to — soon — getting these books into your hands.
