It has finally happened. You’re done. Your book is now in your hands. You’ve gone through the proof, you’ve gone through the editing, you’ve gone through the months of agonzing over the write words, sentences and metaphores. Your book is now in your hands.
Wow.
It is done.
I hate to be the one to break this to you, but your book is done, but you are not.
It is time to launch this puppy out into the world and let as many people as you know about it.
What I recommend to my authors is that have their very first book launch with their family and friends. Some authors prefer to have an intimate setting of a book launch in their home, church or private party in the downtown art center. It depends. The important part is set the date and start inviting people. Below is won of my student’s lovely image that he sent along to us in an email. Rich had a very successful launch and continues to find venues to share his book with others.
One of my students wanted to do her book launch virtually. Cathy lives in rural Oregon. It took her three years to write it and she picked a launch date that was exactly 3 years after she started working on the draft. It was a pefect way for her to celebrate her success. It was her first book. I had to travel out and visit her after her long journey to becoming a published author.
For Cathy’s book, I hopped onto ChatGPT and asked it to come up with an outline for Cathy’s book launch using her launch date and making recommendations. One of the things I love about using ChatGPT is that it takes all the skull work out of figuring EVERYTHING out all at once. But with all my 25 years of experience launching books, I still see issues and serious errors in its logic. Below you will see CHATGPT’s response to how to set up a timeline for your book, but know I’ve made some major corrections along the way. You’re in good hands.
Hosting Your First Virtual Book Launch: A Simple Timeline for Success
By ChatGPT with major edits by Janine Bolon
Publishing a book is a remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations!!!!!
For many first-time authors, the thought of hosting a book launch can feel overwhelming. The good news? Your first launch does not need to be complicated. A simple Zoom event with friends, family, and supporters can become a beautiful celebration of your work.
Recently, one of my authors prepared for her very first online book launch. She scheduled her Zoom event for:
July 15th
4:30 PM Pacific
7:30 PM Eastern
and created a master contact sheet of 105 people to invite. (Don’t know about the Master Contact Sheet for Authors?) Here is the article.
This is how I recommend authors approach their first virtual launch.
Why Host a Zoom Book Launch?
A virtual launch allows:
Friends and family from anywhere in the world to attend.
Supporters to celebrate your accomplishment together.
Readers to ask questions and hear the story behind your book.
You to begin building confidence as a speaker and author.
Remember: your first launch is about connection more than perfection.
Your Virtual Book Launch Timeline
4 Weeks Before Launch
Finalize the Basics
Set the date and time.
Create the Zoom meeting.
Verify your book purchase link (Amazon, publisher, website, etc.). As Cathy found out, it took some time for this purchase link to be made available from Amazon. She was using KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) She tried to stall the rest of the book launch on this point. Don’t do that! Amazon will eventually tell you the link. Set up the invite and start inviting people anyway. DO NOT slow down this process over a silly, little link! 😉
Create Your Master Contact Sheet
Your contact sheet should include:
Name
Email address
Relationship (family, friend, colleague, reader)
Invitation sent? (make this a yes/no check box, if you don’t know how to do that, just type in “yes” or “no”
RSVP? (this too is a simple yes/no)
Attended? (this is more to remind you how many people care about what you are doing!)
Follow-up sent? (this is to request people leave you a review after they have purchased the book)
A list of 105 people is an excellent starting point. But don’t let that stop you if you don’t have that many people. Okay? I’ve had authors who had a book launch and they had only 8 people show up. Those are 8 people who care about you, your work and are there to celebrate YOU!
3 Weeks Before Launch
Send the First Invitation
Use Google Calendar invitations so guests can save the event immediately.
Include:
Zoom link
Date and time
Book description
Purchase link (ChatGPT does this. No, DO NOT send your purchase link. How rude. You’re inviting people here to celebrate with you. We’ll chat more about how you set this up so that this book launch is not a total pitch fest. Okay?)
Your goal is not to pressure anyone to buy. Your goal is to invite people into your story.
2 Weeks Before Launch
Send a Reminder Email
People are busy.
A gentle reminder helps move your event back to the top of their minds.
Include:
Event date and time
Zoom link
What guests can expect
Encouragement to invite a friend (This is great if they bring a buddy along!)
1 Week Before Launch
Practice Your Presentation
Prepare:
A 3-minute welcome
Why you wrote the book
A short reading (3–5 minutes)
Questions and answers
Closing thank-you
Aim for a total event length of 45–60 minutes.
People love concise and meaningful events.
3 Days Before Launch
Send Final Reminder
“Just a quick reminder that our celebration is this week! I’d love to see you there.”
This reminder often boosts attendance significantly. (This is where ChatGPT is so correct! You’ll see a boost of up to 80% on this email alone)
Day of the Launch
30 Minutes Before
Open Zoom early.
Test microphone and camera.
Have water nearby.
Open your slides and purchase links.
Take a deep breath.
You do not need to be perfect! Remember, you simply need to show up as yourself.
Sample Virtual Book Launch Agenda (45–60 Minutes)
Remember-this part was written by a machine with fancy code. Not a human. Please remember this agenda is there only for you not to lose your place and I’m sure you will have many more items to talk about. It took you time, talent and tenacity to get this book out into the world. Take your time and seriously celebrate the fact you’ve done what few people do. You wrote a book. Well done!
Welcome & Introductions (5 minutes)
Thank everyone for attending.
The Story Behind the Book (10 minutes)
Share why you wrote it.
Book Reading (5 minutes)
Read a favorite passage.
Questions & Conversation (15–20 minutes)
Invite audience participation.
Call to Action (5 minutes)
Share where guests can purchase the book and leave reviews.
Closing Celebration (5 minutes)
Express gratitude and celebrate together.
After the Event
Within 24 hours:
Send a thank-you email.
Share the recording if available.
Include the book purchase link.
Ask readers to leave an honest review.
Schedule your next book launch
Remember:
A book launch is not a one-day event.
It is the beginning of a conversation with your readers.
Your first launch doesn’t need to be fancy.
It simply needs to be real.
Congratulations, Author!
You wrote the book.
Now let the world celebrate with you.
Need Help Planning Your Book Launch?
One of the biggest questions authors ask after publishing is:
“What do I do next?”
Whether you’re planning your very first Zoom launch, organizing podcast interviews, scheduling speaking opportunities, or simply trying to figure out how to get your book into readers’ hands, you don’t have to do it alone.
Join me each week for OPEN Friday Coffee (OFC). This is a free gathering of authors, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners discussing the practical side of building a life and business around meaningful work.
Bring your questions.
Bring your coffee.
Bring your book launch ideas.
We’ll help you create clarity for your next step.
Register here:
https://janinebolon.com/connect/
I would love to celebrate your book and help you build a launch schedule that fits your life, your goals, and your vision for what comes next.
Cheers from Colorado,
Janine Bolon
