The Adaption of Traditions: Villains’ Code #2 Release
It is bizarre to think about how long I’ve been doing this job, at times. Prior to being a writer, my longest stint at any job was 3 years, and that occupation was extraordinary in it’s own right. Yet here I am, over seven years and 20+ books later, still plugging away at what was expected to be nothing more than a fun hobby.
That said, while I might be doing the same job, that job itself has changed over time. When I started out, even the idea of audio was little more than a twinkle in an indie writer’s eyes, now we not only have resources to create them, audiobooks are a thriving part of our market. Seven years ago, there was no weighing the merits of KDP, because KDP wasn’t a thing that existed, and would still need to go through several more iterations before it stabilized into what we know today. While writing itself might stay somewhat consistent, the profession of being a writer demands you roll with the times lest you be left behind.
Back when I first began publishing, my Digital Launch Parties were a way to spread the word about a new book release, as well as throw myself a party. Because finishing a book is no small thing, even after I’ve done this many, and getting one over the finish line warrants celebration. Everything about them was formed based on the platforms and tools that were accessible at the time. Ask the Author was the heaviest weighted segment because it was one I could keep up with constantly, guests were brought in based on availability, and games/trivia were introduced to keep things varied. Some of the other fundamentals came about as happenstance, like my celebratory review shots, while others were added as the technology came into place, like the video-livestream half-hour.
They were creations of opportunity, and I think we had a lot of fun even in those early, low-tech days. However, as I’ve been preparing for the Villains’ Code #2 release next week (12/23 print and ebook, audio TBD, but likely not for several months) I hit one feature that has to be retooled. While we’ll touch on which momentarily, I realized this was a good opportunity to update my release day events as a whole. Purge what doesn’t work, add more of what does, and make sure things haven’t grown too stagnant.
So what’s the first feature to go, the one that kicked things off? Well, it’s one I’ve known was coming for a while. When the books first started publishing, they were web-novels, meaning anybody who wanted to read the entire story before it hit Amazon was able to. The projects that weren’t online tended to be my shorter books, like the Fred series. Between the web-serial fans and dedicated speed readers, there were lots of people with legitimate reviews to offer even on launch day. Hence my “review-celebration shots” with accompanying photos. However, with my foray into audiobooks and the larger novels no longer serials, the viability of people genuinely finishing the books on launch day in order to leave their reviews shrinks down substantially. And I cannot encourage people to leave false ones, for an abundance of ethical and career reasons I hope don’t need spelling out.
That’s not to say there won’t be shots and silly photos, mind you, only that the foundation of what causes them needs to change. This blog is about adapting traditions, not tossing them out entirely. For Villains’ Code #2: Bones of the Past, I’m going to try out doing shots based on the book’s Amazon rank. I’m pinning down the formula, but it should allow for shots through the day without me getting blasted, unless this thing gets really high up there and that’s a problem I would welcome having. I realize this lacks the personal touch some people enjoy from seeing their review cause a direct reaction, and it may not be the way things go permanently. It’s a process of trial and error, along with listening to reader feedback, so not even I’m sure of what shape it will ultimately take.
Beyond just the shots, there are several other factors being shaken up, hence the blog. Ask the Author will stick around, as that one is always a hit, however the segment where I would normally stare into a camera and flounder about trying to manage multiple screens is getting retooled. I’ll still be handling questions live, however I’ll be using my Adventure Brodeo streaming skills to run a game during the segment. I tested this out for the 5-Minute Sherlock release and found it worked really well, not only did it take pressure off me and offer something interesting on-screen, the segment was able to last longer. Some of the time-limits Facebook puts on direct camera streams aren’t there for game-based ones.
In the same way, I’m hoping to use the updated tools when guests are able to join the party. Instead of having a narrator or fellow author in the comments, they can come on mic to field questions with a more personal touch. This one will of course be limited by guest tech options and availability, so it might not become the new standard, but I’m confident we’ll at least be able to give it a few whirls over the next several releases.
Lastly is another big change, and also one that won’t come into effect for probably the next year. As much as I love the digital launch parties, I also love throwing an in-person celebration too. To that effect, I’m planning to add some real world aspects to the launch day festivities. Going to a barcade and sharing the fun online will be nice, but the real upside is that those are the sorts of things I can also open up to any readers who live in the DFW area. The details on this one are light because it will obviously not be coming into effect while we’re still living through a pandemic; my hope is within a year or so this can become a launch day staple. At least I’ll have plenty of time to plan.
If you’re wondering where all these shenanigans I reference take place, might I recommend following me on social media. That’s where these parties are centered, and though I’d like to eventually move off of it, for right now Facebook is still the handiest place to hold a digital event. I hope you can join the fun for Bones of the Past on 12/23, and all the upcoming titles/parties still to come!
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Bones of the Past Launch Party