Tales of a Launch - Setting, Character, and Plot

The business of a new novel - something of a checklist

— don’t forget to ask someone to take photos —

I started to work on a novel that I thought of as “Book of Frank” back in the fall of 2018. (Frank was somewhat Job-like.) Over four years later it was ready to send to my agent. With new title—BLUE HOURS—and renamed characters (Frank became Keith), the novel was accepted in the late summer of 2023.

The book was released May 1, and we—publicity-wonder-person and myself—put together a signing in a local bookstore in the suburban town I lived for two dozen years, not too far away, as well as a launch in the city where I now live.

More and more, writers are choosing venues other than bookstores for launches. Often, these choices are linked in some way to the story or setting of the book.

The first place that came to my mind was LanaLou’s Rock-n-roll Eatery, a ten minute walk from my home, host to a lot of punk music, and with a punk ethos (a community heart). It’s also deeply into the core of the DTES—downtown east side, an area of town that has many challenges, and I knew some would not be comfortable making their way there. For some days this thought made me hesitate. We brainstormed possibilities: the gracious Sylvia Hotel near the beach in Stanley Park; a coffeehouse close to my place; a jazz bar down Main St… There were a number of phone calls and scouting missions. But my heart was still with Lanalou’s.

The home of the main characters, father and son, is a ten minute walk in another direction (is it strange to think of the fictional home of one’s characters in this way?)

In the pages of story, Keith meets a close friend for brews at the long-term Vancouver tradition of the Railway Club (first opened New Year’s Eve in 1931). That working-class venue closed in 2023 which has been a huge loss to those of us who are working class. Lanalou’s has the spirit of that place, and its own vibe, too, with its mismatched dining room tables (I wonder about the holiday times at those tables, the family feuds that have blown up… and who knows what!) Abandoned church pews create booth seating around a concrete dance floor. Oh, and it has the best selection ever of velvet paintings in perfect frames! And re-born chandeliers…

At last, I decided on an afternoon time, thinking that by the end of May, it will be summery and bright for those who are reluctant to venture into this part of the city.

As I have often said of writing story, SETTING is key. Same with making the decision of ‘where’ for a launch. Setting shapes events, in the ways that neighbourhood, birth place, and ‘home’ shapes character. There was a vibe I wanted.

The three elements of fiction—setting, character, and plot—are all here. Venue is setting. Characters are all found in your email list, and on your social media invites. Plot is the rest, the pacing, the reading….

Create a thorough email list

Ideally, you have a thorough list and/or spreadsheet of emails. If not, give yourself time to pull one together. Keep in mind that you have zero idea who will be interested—either in the book itself, or the event. Some people have never been to a book launch, and show up out of curiosity.

This morning I took my broken reading glasses to an optometry shop. I’d gone in on Friday thinking it would be a quick hinge-fix to put the hockey stick (!) back in place. But no, it was a break that requires a 2 day trip out of town. I had to hang on to them for the launch, and hope they’d make it through. They did… and the fellow in the shop remembered why I’d hung onto them for the weekend, asked how it went, and ended up following my writing on Instagram. You never know how you’re going to sell a book!

I went through all of my emails in alphabetical order—old students and neighbours, cousins, friends… it was exhaustive. Even if they don’t come to the launch, they now know your story is out in the world.

The same with a facebook post and creating an ‘event’ and then inviting. In the coming days I’ll let far-flung friends and rellies know it’s out.

Of course, keep all such contact brief! No lengthy synopses.

What to read

Speaking of brief… Rule of thumb (ear?) for length of reading: shorter is best.

As I was going through last copy edits, I noted possible passages for reading aloud. A friend, reading some weeks ago, made an excellent suggestion. I label one book as my reading copy and scribble these excerpts on the front page, along with thoughts on those phrases that might lend themselves to signing, and any other notes.

In my memoir there’s a truly funny passage about the local firemen visiting us to douse our backyard chiminea (utterly unnecessary…) It’s about four pages long, with a wonderfully funny closing line—the perfect read-aloud.

In BLUE HOURS there’s no distinctly “funny” piece as such, but the passage I chose has some lightness to it. And ends with something of a bow to tie—always good.

I spent time reading aloud to determine at least three excerpts. (Aloud is key for pacing.) No longer than five pages. Time it with no rushing. Especially with using a mic—which can be echoey for those of us with compromised and ageing hearing. Slow down and read with emotion. You are performing! As unbearable as it can be to hear a writer read for too long, it’s so much worse when someone mumbles as if they are ashamed of their work.

If you really don’t enjoy reading, either ask a good reader to do this for you, or simply don’t. I have been to more than one launch with no reading.

Don’t read points of climax or ends or those pieces that will detract from the drama of their own private reading.

You want funny. Or tender. Or insightful. Or some piece that’s all about style and sound—an aural treat.

I spent two minutes sharing a story that was the book’s genesis—a conversation between myself and an old friend. Again, I spent time practicing to make it succinct and light. If you don’t want to spend the time shaping this, then omit this piece and go straight to reading. (And go to others’ launches to lern how to do, and not do, this.)

Realities of choosing a not-bookstore setting for a launch

The challenge can be to find a bookstore that is willing to send an employee out to “the field.” If you can’t find one, you’ll need to order the books yourself and recruit family or friend to set up a table and some payment method. (Now much easier with a credit card app on your phone. Or even e-transfers—though not everyone does these yet. It’s awkward to say ‘cash only’ as so many no longer carry cash.)

The other challenges of doing this outside of a bookstore is that you’ll have to ask someone to intro you. This part of a bookstore event is built-in; staff and owners are versed in this. When someone shows up with flowers, they’ll head to the backroom for the big vase!

The person I asked is a good friend, another writer, and she is the most thorough person I know—every task she takes on (and in her writing), she dedicates herself fully. Her intro was very touching—beyond what I’d asked. (Caroline Adderson. Do look up her work. She writes for all ages. She is one of Canada’s best!)

In another type of venue, it’s up to you to fill in the pieces. And your intro person might do your various “thank you-s” or you can. I did my own—it seemed appropriate. I wanted the opportunity to say some words about how much I appreciate the subversive nature of such a venue (bring on the punk rock!), of book-selling from a local independent store (Upstart & Crow) that KNOWS the pulse of the local literary scene! And that of writing and creating, and even reading. Because reading is a subversive act these days.

I wanted to point out the same with my publisher, Freehand Books—they’ve been amazing.

And in the trunk of your car—

It’s nice to give the book seller some idea of expected audience, but that’s tough to do.

I’ve always added a box of my own, or copies of another recent book, and kept it in the trunk of my car until needed. To date, twice I’ve had to send someone to my trunk to bring in more books. (But don’t bring out until then. Let the bookseller do their thing first.)

Budgets

Non-bookstore venues come with a fee. Of the places I looked at, prices ranged from $100-$1300 for a 2-3 hour period. (That last was off the list quickly! Once I started to poke around, I was shocked at some.)

I’ve been to launches that hand out a drink ticket. I’ve been to launches with an RSVP’d admission price, and that included a signed copy of the book, and maybe a drink. I’ve been to one at a cocktail lounge. Some have had enough food for a meal. Some have made me forget I’m there for a book.

Some venues (that aren’t restaurants) might allow you to bring your own finger foods. Some might charge a flat fee, or a per head fee.

But most small publishers have a budget. At Lanalou’s this worked out perfectly. I’m not going to put a number to the budget, but I’ll say that the owner of the venue understands the arts world—she’s been a drummer for three decades. (And gave me one of her CDs!) She understood that, within a budget, she would serve a breadth of snack/appetizers, and be sensitive to the additional orders of others. In other words, not leap onto the budget and create food only to leave it getting cold and uneaten. She worked with the timing of the guests coming and going, and the reading—there was an ease to the whole!

There’s a funny bit of joy in not having to explain everything to someone… y’know?

Something different

I thought it’d be fun to have some giveaways. The publisher sent me copies of the five books in their current spring list. I added a copy of my memoir, and made up three bags of book-couplings. This gave me the opportunity to share my gratitude for Freehand and talk—briefly—about their other titles.

With the current clime in Canada, I wanted to support our literature, our publishers. The giveaways felt of-the-moment. And the bookseller was up for handing out those little tickets, and the task of calling out numbers

I brought along brown paper handled bags, polka-dot tissue paper, and the raffle tix.

And YOUR book… ?

BLUE HOURS lends itself to being a book club story, I think.

To that end, I also printed up a couple of certificates exclusively for those who have book clubs or want to start one. (I used a template on Pages on my Mac to do this.) Redeemable for a visit, in person or via Zoom, for a book club meeting to discuss the book, and answer questions.

What is it about your book that stands out? What might this add to the launch? Is there a particular theme you can have fun with?

There’s a wonderful place here in my city for children sharing literature. The owner has after-school book clubs in which she features a book, the author visits, and there are activities. My chapter book, The Cul-de-Sac Kids, has been featured a couple of times now. I didn’t realize how much food I mention in the story until I saw the picnic that the children were enjoying!

Ponder what you might pull from your work to connect with the event. Ask any beta readers for thoughts on this, too—they might come up with something you haven’t seen. Fresh eyes and takes.

Share some of the venues you’ve experienced for launches. And some of the pieces of launch “plot.” Also share any issues and questions you’re having—we might explore ideas!

Mostly, it’s a gathering, a celebration

I had two books come out in 2019. It was busy… until it wasn’t.Until Covid struck.

Somehow, since then, I find a new type of anxiety around presentations and appearances. Generally, once I’m there, and the event is underway, it becomes fun. I remind myself of that. And that I’ve never ended up feeling otherwise.

There are always the surprises of who turns up, who make the extra effort—coming a distance. Or someone you’ve not seen in YEARS. Or leaving another event early to make the last twenty minutes of yours! (Really? Wow.)

All of which to keep in mind, next time you find yourself even thinking to stay home on the couch with netflix.

It helps to remember that this is a gathering, a celebration of years of work.

So celebrate and enjoy.

The ISBN of BLUE HOURS is 978-1990601897. Please order from your local independent bookstore. Let’s keep them healthy and in our communities! If you don’t have a bookstore nearby, or if you want an e-book, order directly from Freehand Books https://freehand-books.com/product/blue-hours/#tab-description (They do hard-copies too of course!)

But if you’re ordering books from other publishers at the same time, try to find a bookseller that isn’t feeding Bezo’s pocket. That behemoth is costing us—in terms of culture and our souls. Alternatives do exist and we need those.

And thank you for being here, each and every Unschool reader and writer!