How Not To Make A Book Launch Video
by Kathleen Whyman
Alexa Loy Photography
For as long as I’ve dreamed of being an author, I’ve also dreamed about the moment I first get to hold a copy of my book.
The thrill of seeing my name on the cover of an actual book, filled with words that I wrote. The knowledge that a publisher thought those words good enough to be worthy of printing onto paper. Paper that smells like, er, paper, but in that special new book-scented way.
Whenever and however it happened, I just knew it would be magical.
Just a mere 43 years later (I don’t like to rush things), and the moment had finally arrived. My debut novel, Wife Support System, came out as an ebook with Hera Books in July 2020 and the paperback was released on March 11th 2021. A paperback hadn’t been guaranteed when I signed the contract with Hera, so this made its publication even more exciting.
With Covid scuppering all book launch events and parties, posting videos of book reveals has become one of the main ways of promoting books. Having seen other authors do a ta-da moment, I was excited to film and share my own long-awaited magical moment with the world. (When I say ‘the world’, I actually mean my mum and a few other family members who follow me online.)
Because we were in full on lockdown, the long-awaited magical moment was also to be shared by my two daughters, Eve and Elena, and husband James, who were home schooling and working from home. I thought that this would enhance the experience. This sentiment was delusional.
Cringe benefits
To start with, my suggestion that playing the Star Wars theme tune in the background as I opened the box would add some atmosphere and fun, was immediately dismissed as “cringe”. To be honest, it probably was a bit cheesy, but I grew up in the eighties so being a bit cheesy is a default setting.
Eve was in charge of filming. The top of my head is missing in most of the footage, which was actually an ingenious way of getting around my lockdown roots. Elena was in charge of telling me off for trying to play Star Wars (she used her own initiative in creating this role), resulting in Eve telling Elena off. So loudly that James had to ask us to be quiet as he was on a work Zoom call. Eve then stopped filming before I’d even opened the box of books.
I managed to get the box open on Take Two, but it still wasn’t quite what the professional footage I’ve seen other authors post on social media. None of them had someone in the background telling them to hurry up or comparing them to the Norris Nuts. No sooner had I got the book in my hand then Eve stopped filming, before I had a chance to even say what the book was called, let alone what it was about or where it could be bought.
Environmental issues
So, my advice to anyone planning to film their own book box opening / cover reveal / launch party is to ensure you do it in what I believe is called a Controlled Environment. In other words, make sure no one else is around to help (aka interfere and mess it up for you).
On the plus side, my book launch video does sum up the plot of my book – mums struggling to juggle work and childcare. I am a genuine example here of how “challenging” it can be. (“Challenging” isn’t my first choice of word, but I’m not sure it’s professional to swear in a blog. Although the video clearly demonstrates that there is very little professionalism going on in my life.) And, of course, there’s no fear of my new ‘published author’ status going to my head. My family are definitely keeping me grounded!
You can view the disastrous results of my video here… https://www.kathleenwhyman.com/post/how-no
About Wife Support System by Kathleen Whyman
‘We’ve got the balance all wrong. Instead of living with our partners and struggling to do everything by ourselves, we should live together.’
Erica knows her suggestion sounds extreme, but when her nanny leaves, she’s extremely desperate. Polly and Louise aren’t convinced, but after they move in together, they admit that life’s much easier when the childcare and workload is shared.
However, over time resentment builds, as they judge each other’s parenting styles and bicker over cleaning, cooking and whose turn it is to buy toilet rolls.
Can Erica, Louise and Polly keep their friendships and relationships strong, as one has her head turned by a handsome colleague, one resorts to spying on her husband and one fights to keep a dark secret? Or will their perfect mumtopia fall apart?
Fans of Why Mummy Drinks and Marian Keyes won’t want to miss this hilarious, relatable read!
‘A laugh-out-loud emotional rollercoaster with friendship at its wonderful core.’ – Zoë Folbigg, bestselling author of The Note
‘I raced through Wife Support System. It’s pacey, well-written, funny, heart-warming and lovely. I really enjoyed it.’ – Lucy Vine, author of Hot Mess
‘Wife Support System is hilarious and fun, tense and poignant. All of the emotions! I loved it from start to finish. A seamless debut from a writer I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more of.’ – Catherine Bennetto, author of How Not to Fall in Love, Actually
‘A witty and engaging look at the trials of being a working mother. A novel that will resonate with any woman who has ever had to juggle work and childcare. Funny and enjoyable. We could all do with some Wife Support!’ – Jane Wenham-Jones, author of Wanna be a Writer? and The Big Five-O
How to buy…
Wife support System by Kathleen Whyman is available in paperback, ebook and audiobook.
Amazon https://amzn.to/2Nm50BM
Waterstones https://bit.ly/3rIrig2
Foyles https://bit.ly/3voW5kl
Wordery https://bit.ly/3tpUcC5
Apple https://apple.co/2zJTskY
Your local book shop can also order it in if it’s not in stock (in other words, if my mum got to the shop before you!).
About Kathleen Whyman
Kathleen Whyman is an author, freelance journalist and copywriter.
Kathleen’s debut novel, Wife Support System, was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Joan Hessayon award. Kathleen’s novel Second Wife Syndrome was shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print prize in the Unpublished Comic Novel category. Although very pleased to have been nominated, Kathleen’s still gutted that both awards evenings were cancelled due to Covid. There were going to be party bags and everything!
Kathleen writes a column for Writers’ Forum and contributes to the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s magazine Romance Matters. She also wrote short stories for Jackie magazine in her teens. These were, thankfully, never printed.
Kathleen lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two daughters.
Contact Kathleen at
Twitter – @kathleenwhyman1
Instagram – @kathleenwhymanauthor
Facebook – @kathleenwhymanauthor
www.kathleenwhyman.com
Category: How To and Tips
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