Book Launch Q&A: John DeSimone, Author THE ROAD TO DELANO #booklaunch @jrdesimone @pumpupyourbook

John DeSimone is a published writer, novelist, and teacher. He’s been an adjunct professor and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University. His recent co-authored books include Broken Circle: A Memoir of Escaping Afghanistan (Little A Publishers), and Courage to Say No by Dr. Raana Mahmood, about her struggles against sexual exploitation as a female physician in Karachi. His published novel Leonardo’s Chair published in 2005.

In 2012, he won a prestigious Norman Mailer Fellowship to complete his most recent historical novel, Road to Delano. His novels Leonardo’s Chair and No Ordinary Man have received critical recognition.

He works with select clients to write stories of inspiration and determination and with those who have a vital message to bring to the marketplace of ideas in well-written books.

website & Social Links

Website  → https://www.johndesimone.com/

Twitter  → https://twitter.com/JRDeSimone

Facebook  → https://www.facebook.com/bookwriter718/

Jack Duncan is a high school senior whose dream is to play baseball in college and beyond―as far away from Delano as possible. He longs to escape the political turmoil surrounding the labor

struggles of the striking fieldworkers that infests his small ag town. Ever since his father, a grape grower, died under suspicious circumstances ten years earlier, he’s had to be the sole emotional support of his mother, who has kept secrets from him about his father’s involvement in the ongoing labor strife.

With their property on the verge of a tax sale, Jack drives an old combine into town to sell it so he and his mother don’t become homeless. On the road, an old friend of his father’s shows up and hands him the police report indicating Jack’s father was murdered. Jack is compelled to dig deep to discover the entire truth, which throws him into the heart of the corruption endemic in the Central Valley. Everything he has dreamed of is at stake if he can’t control his impulse for revenge.

While Jack’s girlfriend, the intelligent and articulate Ella, warns him not to so anything to jeopardize their plans of moving to L.A., after graduation, Jack turns to his best friend, Adrian, a star player on the team, to help to save his mother’s land. When Jack’s efforts to rescue a stolen piece of farm equipment leaves Adrian―the son of a boycotting fieldworker who works closely with Cesar Chavez―in a catastrophic situation, Jack must bail his friend out of his dilemma before it ruins his future prospects. Jack uses his wits, his acumen at card playing, and his boldness to raise the money to spring his friend, who has been transformed by his jail experience.

The Road to Delano is the path Jack, Ella, and Adrian must take to find their strength, their duty, their destiny.

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Amazon → https://amzn.to/2Rdrc0G

Barnes & Noble → https://bit.ly/381fQT9

Book Depository → https://bit.ly/2Ld0z82

IndieBound → https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781644280317

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

I began contacting book bloggers to create some online word of mouth. I then began working on developing a street team to get early reviews on Goodreads. It’s still a work in progress.

After that, what was your next step?

Start lining up more reviewers. Decide on where to spend my marketing dollars. There are so many niche bloggers with sizable email sites.

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

I’m creating a dedicated website for my fiction. I have one for my nonfiction and co-authored books.

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

Yes, I’ve interviewed several.

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

Of course. Getting early reviews is the key. I reached out to every review site I could find. I’ve contracted with several book blog tours hosts. That’s how I’m on your site right now.

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

You’d be shortsighted not to utilize all the resources available to authors. But you can’t use them all.

What social media has worked best for you?

The publisher is big on Facebook and Amazon. I’m focused on Goodreads and niche book review sites.

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

The publisher wrote one, and I’m using it every day.

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

I’ve had a Amazon page for several years. Having a complete one is critical.

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

No.

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

Yes, we’re in the process of setting them up now.

Did you create a book trailer?

One of the review sites did one.

Did you time your book launch around a certain holiday?

No. the publisher picked the date.

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

Well, I haven’t reached the end of the road for my book launch. But I will keep that question in mind for future reference. I’m curious too.

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

Work hard. Dedicated time to it every day. Choose the media you’ll focus on and hit it hard.