When Do I Release My Book?

Good news: Luck-Struck is ready to rock, but now I am rethinking my release date. Maybe it would be more successful if I released it at a different time. Christmas? New Years (resolution season)?

Also, I think it could be better. I wanted to write a book in three months, and I did. If it was still an eBook, I'd release now without a second thought. Since it's a real book (and my first), I want it to be the best I can muster.

Thoughts?

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

Have you seen any statistics on book sales of this genre?

Send me a copy and I'll let you know.

No! Where would I find such a thing? I'm so out of my element.
Sure. Wanna pre-order?

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

In all seriousness, I think that sending a copy to many of the successful forum members here and getting feedback would be far more valuable the few bucks you may get if they decide to order.

Think of it as your beta release or pre-screening to a limited audience. If you really want to release a better book, you definitely need to get some feedback.

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I've got a few readers already, but I'll consider it for sure. Thanks for the offer.

Seriously, though. Anyone have any tips about a good season for release?

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

Have you spoken to publishers yet? I would guess that it's info they should have.

Call local bookstores, too. A mom & pop store would probably be more helpful. Maybe you'll catch the owner working the phones.

I am no expert but I think now is just as good of a time as any.

Actively marketing and promoting is the difference.

If it were me (which I do plan to write a book in the near future) my goal would be to release and grow it as soon as possible. You can't expect referrals for a product that isn't out. You won't get new people reading your book if they are in a ton of boxes in your basement.

This is what I would do:

Get some beta readers
Revise based on feedback
Release

Perfect

Will do. Thanks!

Here's a bad math description of my situation:
Current Time (3mo.) = Current Quality (100%)
Time x 2 = Quality x 2?

I'm sure the ratio isn't one-to-one, but the product I could release today is probably inferior to the product I can release for X-mas.

Will do! Thanks.

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

And then....

There is always.....

The revised edition

Guess I didn't understand, I thought it was done. Silly me

Oh, yes. I already have an extended edition planned, and I have bought the domain for the sequel! LONG TAIL!

Done, but could be done better. My reputation as an author is on the line.

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

I would focus 100% on a marketing scheme and don't worry about what everyone thinks of your book and don't give out free copies.

You can make a fortunes selling a plastic bag of full of dog turds if the marketing is done right. If you hand out a bunch of free copies to people and they all say it stinks and it wont' sell, then you will get discouranged. Don't worry about what they say. Focus on marketing.

Sell the sizzle, not the steak.

When do you release? NOW.

^Says the guy with a reputation as a "Rich Jerk!" LOL!

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

I totally agree with that. I have marketing lite right now, but once it is available through Amazon and the rest, I'll be on radio, TV, and billboards. Thanks.

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

Peerless, I'm not a fan of analysis peralysis, but make the book as good as reasonably possible before you release it. You don't want to get a rep as a bad author right off the bat. The first time doing anything is always the hardest.

^You said it. This is hard to balance:
First to market? Or Best to market?
Short and Easy? Or long and Valuable?
Quantity? Or quality?

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My Book About Creating Your Own Luck

• Best to market
• Long and Valuable
• Quality

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