Book Launch Q&A: Alison Neuman, Author HOME #booklaunch @alison_neuman @pumpupyourbook

Alison Neuman is a writer, author, choreographer, and dance artist, who is passionate about sharing underrepresented voices. She holds a Bachelor’s of Applied Communications Degree, a diploma in Professional Writing, and a Master of Arts degree with a focus on Educational Studies.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: www.alisonneuman.ca
Blog: http://www.alisonneuman.ca/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Alison_Neuman
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alisonneuman.ca
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4375290.Alison_Neuman

Fluffy, the cat, knew the minute she met Levi that he would become fast friends with the friendly mouse using a special wheelchair. In the third installment of their adventures, join Fluffy, Levi, and his family on their final leg of adventure to find their forever homes together.

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2Va96Ox

Smashwords → https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1015552

 

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

We had planned to have a physical book launch party, but due to COVID-19 and social distancing measures, we had to change activites to online.

After that, what was your next step?

My focus was to find promotional opportunities online that would connect me with readers.

"Home is being launched before Mother's Day because this book is my gift for my mom. I hope this book and the series will be shared with families and grow a love of reading."

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

Yes. A few months ago, I had my website rebranded to fit my publications better. This website rebranding included changing the themes and pictures and making it more accessible.

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

I did consider using a public relations agency to help promote my book, but I didn’t have a budget to hire an agency. I did hire a blog tour company to help me find the best places to reach my book’s audience.

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

Reviews are valuable but were not the only focus for my book launch. 

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

There is an art to social media posting, and I am just learning the best way to approach and market my book on social media.

What social media has worked best for you?

Facebook has worked the best. Instagram and Twitter are social media platforms I am learning.

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

No, I didn’t write a press release, but I think press releases are a good idea.

 "Also, for the launch of my first book, Ice Rose A Young Adult Spy Novel, I had a sponsor who rented out a fondue restaurant, which was decorated in a secret agent theme. This launch had free fondue for all the guests, an auction for The Rainbow Society, and author autographs. We also had book-related merchandise that was given as prizes. Sponsors and my monetary investment made the launch a success."

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

Yes, I updated my author content and picture prior to my launch.

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

No, I don’t have any other books that were offered free to help sell my present book.

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

For my previous book launches, I have set up book signings. The process not only brought in sales but also connected me to new potential readers. I look forward to the day when we can all be out safely in public once again and I have an opportunity to set up some book signings for my new release Home.

Did you time your book launch around a certain holiday?

Yes, I did plan my book launch around Mother’s Day. Throughout my entire life, my mom was there through doctors' appointments and my health ups and downs. No matter if I was at home or in the hospital, my mom always kept our routine of reading before bed.

As macular degeneration stole my mom's vision and made reading challenging, I started reading out loud to her. In the last few years, my mom had dementia, and she fell in love with children’s literature.

I wanted to share my writing, my love and appreciation for all she had done. I started the first book in the series called Don't Eat Family, about a cat (Fluffy) who meets a mouse (Levi) experiencing a disability, and they become friends. My mom's childhood pet inspired the cat, and the mouse experiencing a disability is the literary character I wished I had to identify with when I was a child. The follow-up book, Help From Friends, was about ability and adventures between friends. Home explores the journey of memories and friendships as Fluffy brings her friend Levi and his family back to the safety of her home.

Home is being launched before Mother's Day because this book is my gift for my mom. I hope this book and the series will be shared with families and grow a love of reading.

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

One activity in which I have done at every book launch party was to add a charitable component. I had a table at my event for the non-profit and also collected auction items. I contacted local businesses to see if they would provide free or discounted items for the auction. This option permitted me to help a non-profit in my community and also to share my book with additional individuals who supported the non-profit.

Also, for the launch of my first book, Ice Rose A Young Adult Spy Novel, I had a sponsor who rented out a fondue restaurant, which was decorated in a secret agent theme. This launch had free fondue for all the guests, an auction for The Rainbow Society, and author autographs. We also had book-related merchandise that was given as prizes. Sponsors and my monetary investment made the launch a success.

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

When thinking about launching your book, remember to think outside the box and try to connect with activities and items in which your readers are interested. My successful activities include launch parties, author readings and signings (in schools and bookstores), postcards to friends and family, business partnering, and being a part of a camp for children where the theme tied into my books and copies of my books were included in the camp fee.