Book Launch Q&A: Leonard Bassed, Author of THE WITCH PORT VIDEO GAME #booklaunch @leobassed @pumpupyourbook

Writer-actor-singer Leonard Bassed was born in the town of Middleburg, Mpumalanga and raised in Johannesburg.  He started taking vocal lessons at age eight and studied drama throughout his high school years.  A mentor encouraged him to pursue an acting career.  Leonard went on to complete acting classes in both South Africa and later Los Angeles.  Currently, when not writing or singing, Leonard continues to study acting techniques with the renowned Margie Haber Studio in Hollywood. In his free time, he enjoys travel, reading and movie going.  His latest book is The Witch Port Video Game.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: https://leonardbassed.com/

Facebook page for author: https://www.facebook.com/leobassed/

Twitter page for author: https://twitter.com/LeonardBassed

Leonard Bassed had no plan to write a novel titled THE WITCH PORT VIDEO GAME when he set out to create a movie script with a similar name.  “I had written the pilot script first and I kept the same ending for the novel…everything from the script I wrote found its way into the finished book version of ‘The Witch Port Video Game,’ said writer-singer-actor Leonard Bassed.  “I was able to spend more time developing the characters and their world…the whole thing was just such an organic experience and extremely enjoyable, creative for me.”

THE WITCH PORT VIDEO GAME tells the story through the lives of three ordinary teens who live in the fictional town of Cradle Creek, USA – a small town they hope to one day escape, attracted by the bright lights and promise of the Big City.  All three are students at a prestigious performing art school with hopes of one day making names for themselves in the entertainment world.

Mr. Bassed continued about his story, “A chance encounter the three have with a girl named Bianca Morris threatens to derail their plans. Bianca introduces them to an enticing video game, ‘The Witch Port Video Game’.  This encounter, coupled with the arrival of the MacQuoid brothers sets in motion a series of bizarre events that spins their lives into chaos and disarray as the three head into a world of sorcery with an ultimate fight for survival.”

As a young boy growing up in South Africa, Leonard dreamed one day of working in the arts.  He wanted to write, to act, to sing.  While drawn to acting and song writing, he was also a good story teller.  “The auditions I would go out for as an actor were never reflective of the kinds of roles I was after to play. It was this realization that led me to writing the pilot script which I planned to pitch to TV and movie producers.  But, once I finished the script I’d grown too attached to the characters and the wonders of their world that ultimately led the script into the shape of a full novel,” he went on to say.

PRAISE

“While the book’s final moments leave us with a rather sudden, enigmatic ending, an end note does indicate a sequel Witch Port Igniting the Coven on the horizon. For those who enjoy the entertaining literary chemistry that results from inquisitive teens and their foray into the mysterious world of sorcery, Bassed’s venture should prove an intriguing reveal.”

--Pacific Book Review

“Filled with cheeky references to famous pop-culture stories of sorcery and mixed with some classic teenage angst, this book is a fast-paced, suspenseful story. The novel’s premise that some teenagers gain special powers through a video game is an updated, modern take on magic and suits the story quite well for a 21st-century setting. The author sets up the story mechanisms so that everything that happens through the students’ video game play also happens in real life. The author states that this novel was originally a screenplay, and those elements shine through, from the descriptive settings to the fast pace in which the action occurs on the page. It will be interesting to see how the protagonists grow with their powers in the sequel.”

--The U.S. Review of Books

Book can be purchased at the author’s web site at www.leonardbassed.com

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

for your book launch?

I didn’t actually have an official book launch, at the time I figured I didn’t really have a big enough readership to warrant a launch I thought my funds would be better spent publicizing the novel, so I’d reach a bigger audience. I launched the book on my website.

After that, what was your next step?

I took part in a media campaign to market my book, drove sales by selling my book through my website and word of mouth, I’ve also got an e-book version of my book available online. I’m currently taking meetings with book distributors who will work with me on getting my book into stores if all goes as planned.

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

Yes, I had my website completely redone for the purpose of my book and my current sound. I ‘m a singer and actor as well and before my online profile focused solely on those aspects of my brand.

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

I’m a creative and with self-publishing there is just so many hats one has to wear, so for that reason I sought the expertise of The Barrett Company, they are a PR Agency based out of Los Angeles the entertainment hub. They’ve proven to be an invaluable asset to me and my book.

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

Yes, getting my work reviewed was really important to me I wanted a unbiased opinion from someone emotionally removed and well a professional. I enlisted the aid of a PR agency to achieve this end and they issued a press release on my behalf.

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

I think social media is a great tool for book-promotion and brand awareness campaigns. It provides you a great platform to interact and engage with your readership, and in my case establish one.

What social media has worked best for you?

YouTube and Instagram.

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

My PR agency wrote mine and yes, it definitely generated some interest in my book.

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

No, while this is the first installment in The Witch Port Video Game book series it is my debut novel.

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

No.

Did you time your book launch around a certain holiday?

No.

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

Though I didn’t have a book launch as I mentioned earlier, if I were to, I’d get an event company to help organize it, preferably someone in the industry. If you have a publicist, they might be able to assist you by making sure you get some coverage.