Anna Staniszewski

If you have a minute, swing by Pat Zietlow Miller’s blog where I reveal all sorts of fairy-tale-related things, including what I think makes a prince truly charming.

So my second book, MY EPIC FAIRY TALE FAIL, comes out in exactly a month. A month! That brings up an important question: What should I be doing in the 30 days leading up to my book release? Here’s my advice.

Stress out

This is the most important part of the process. If you don’t sit around thinking that no one will like your book and that no one will buy it and that no one will come to your book events, then all your worst fears will come true. It’s scientifically proven that stressing about things you can’t control makes good things happen.

Organize a blog tour

Ask friends, family, hamsters, etc. if you can stop by their blogs for a guest post or interview. You’d be surprised how excited people get about having you babble at their readers.

Plan a launch party

You have a book coming out–celebrate! Plan a launch party at a bookstore or library, or find an unusual place that relates to your book somehow. Of course, you’ll stress about the party (see above) but try to enjoy it. Ultimately, this event is a birthday party for your book, so it should be fun. (Note: Books aren’t great at blowing out birthday candles.)

Set up other events

Try to set up at least a couple more events in your area for the people who couldn’t come to your launch party. You probably want to branch out so you’re not doing all your events in the same town. If you can team up with another author for the event, then you won’t have to stress (see above) about having no one to talk to.

Get swag

Don’t go nuts with swag–you probably won’t get much mileage out of a toaster shaped like your main character’s face–but it’s great to have something to give out to readers. I think bookmarks are the most versatile since they serve as a business card AND they mark your place in a book! Plus they’re cheap to have printed, and if you’re lucky, your publisher will supply you with some.

Speak at conferences and schools

If you don’t hate talking to other people, try to get on a panel at a local conference or set up a school visit (preferably at a school where you know someone so it’s not as terrifying). Think of these events not as places to hawk your book, but as opportunities to share what you do with other people.

Enjoy the moment

I know it’s easy to get trapped inside a stress ball when your book is coming out, but try to enjoy the process. You’ve worked for SO LONG to bring this book into the world. Take a minute to pat yourself on the back. And to have a cookie.

Okay, that’s my checklist. What would you add to the list?