Book Launch Q&A: Larry D. Thompson Author of 'White Witch' @ldtauthor

After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law, Larry spent the first half of his professional life as a trial lawyer. He tried well over 300 cases and won more than 95% of them. Although he had not taken a writing class since freshman English (back when they wrote on stone tablets), he figured that he had read enough novels and knew enough about trials, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms that he could do it. Besides, his late, older brother, Thomas Thompson, was one of the best true crime writers to ever set a pen to paper; so, just maybe, there was something in the Thompson gene pool that would be guide him into this new career.  He started writing his first novel about a dozen years ago and published it a couple of years thereafter. He has now written five highly acclaimed legal thrillers. White Witch is number six with many more to come.

Larry is married to his wife, Vicki. He has three children scattered from Colorado to Austin to Boca Raton, and four grandchildren. He has been trying to retire from the law practice to devote full time to writing. Hopefully, that will occur by the end of 2018. He still lives in Houston, but spends his summers in Vail CO, high on a mountain where he is inspired by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

His latest book is the captivating thriller, WHITE WITCH.

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Jamaica is a place where the surreal is simply everyday reality. When a ruthless American aluminum company plans to strip mine the Jamaican rainforest, they send former Navy SEAL Will Taylor to Montego Bay to deal with local resistance on their behalf. But he’s unaware that the British had signed a treaty deeding the rainforest to the Jamaican Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves, over 300 years ago. The Maroons fought and died for their land then, and are more than willing to do so now, whether it’s the British or the Americans who threaten them this time around.

Upon Will’s arrival, a series of inexplicable murders begin, some carried out with deadly snake daggers that were owned and used by Annie Palmer, a voodoo priestess better known as the White Witch. She was killed 200 years prior, but is said to still haunt the island at night, and the local Jamaicans are certain she’s responsible for the gruesome murders, her form of retaliation against the new turmoil taking place in the rainforest.

And Will has been forced directly into the middle of it. After a few close calls, he’s finally convinced to leave his company and join forces with the Maroons, headed by Vertise Broderick, a Maroon who resigned from her position at the New York Times to return to Jamaica to stop the mining. Together they hire a Jamaican attorney to prove that the Maroon/British treaty is still valid to stop the mining, and they take it upon themselves to solve the White Witch murders, because the legend of the White Witch can’t possibly be true…

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After your book was released, what was the first thing you did when getting ready for your book launch?

I contacted my son, owner of America’s Production Company and arranged for him to run the marketing campaign.

After that, what was your next step?

I contacted Dorothy Thompson and Cheryl Mash, the two best in the business.

Did you do anything different to spice up your website in lieu of your upcoming book release?

Yes. My son also does web design. He completely re-did it (www.larrydthompson.com)

Did you ever consider using a PR agency to help you promote your book or did you prefer the DIY route?

American’s Production Company also acts as a PR company

Were finding reviews a top priority for you and, if yes, how did you approach that?

Reviews are always a top priority. I had about 25 ARCs sent to friends, family and some strangers who I thought would find the book interesting. I asked them to post the reviews in the first week after publication. As of this writing I have 50 reviews on Amazon with 4.9 stars.

What are your views on social media for marketing your book?

Very important if you have a big enough presence on Facebook or Twitter, to name two. If a writer has to pay for ads on social media, it’s not worth the money.

What social media has worked best for you?

Facebook and Twitter

Did you write a press release and do you think it worked for you?

I did write a press release. America’s Production Company arranged for the distribution. If definitely worked.

Did you revamp your author’s page at Amazon in any way to prepare for the launch (https://authorcentral.amazon.com/)?

No.

Did you have other books you offered for free in order to help sell your present book?

I have not yet but may consider it at a later time.

Did you set up booksignings and, if so, how did that work for you?

Yes. If the sponsor can draw a crowd, they are always good.

Did you create a book trailer?

Yes. Please go to my website to view it.

Did you time your book launch around a certain holiday?

No.

What was the best money you ever spent on your book launch?

Book tours like this one.

Any tips for those authors wanting to set up a successful book launch?

Become active on Facebook and establish a large group of friends long before the launch.