It's Crunch Time For The Book Release

With Memorial Day gone the countdown starts for the release of our new novel, "Why Is Crater Lake So Blue?'' The target date is July 1st.

I've received the first two orders for the book - one from a wholesaler and one from a speciality account.

The newspapers have the review copies. The publicist is approaching the radio shows. The final proofs are being OK'd.

A very nervous time because we've put a lot of money into this project.

As you go through the process you try to anticipate what will happen at each step of the way. Like, will you be able to get the newspaper book reviewers to take a look. The rule for small publishers and self-publishers is no, that's not likely to happen.

So the publicist and I have been surprised to get 17 requests for the ARC (advanced reader copy) from newspapers in the Northwest. Never thought that would happen. Neither did anyone else. I think the problem for most self-publishers is that they don't have a smart plan and they're unwilling or unable to spend the money required to get the respect of the reviewers.

My part time publicist did the approach to the reviewers. We provided professional press releases, story ideas and book package. Not one reviewer said a thing about being a self-publisher or small publisher.

Michael LaLumiere
www.whyiscraterlakesoblue.com