“And we have lift-off!” I remember Walter Cronkite’s voice narrating that exciting moment of the rocket launches of my childhood. The engines roared and the powerful flames pushed the huge rocket up, up, and away into the sky. This is the image that comes to mind when I think about what the publishing world calls “Launch Day”–the day a new book is released. It expresses the hope that the book will fly high, circling the globe, reaching as many people as possible.
Both a rocket and a book need enough fuel to achieve lift-off. For a book, the fuel is people–people who help spread the word, create enthusiasm about a forthcoming book, and keep the fire stoked after its release. I’m here to tell you that I need some fuel to get this book off the ground! I need 30 people who will help me fuel lift-off for six weeks–two weeks before launch day and the month after (I recently learned that bookstores are only obligated to carry a new book for 30 days, so that first month is important!). The publishing world calls this group of people a Launch Team. I hope you’ll consider being part of mine.
I have some ideas for ways we can get the word out and I know that team members will come up with great and creative ideas, too. If we pool our ideas and our spheres of influence, we can send this book into orbit! Not only this book, but others as well. My publisher has subtitled The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady A Purls and Prayers Novel, in the hope that people will love it enough to want more books about prayer shawl makers. Since the many Apollo missions had a Roman numeral after each one, I’m calling the launch team for The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady Purls and Prayers I. May this team be the first of many!
I thank all of you who have been praying for the ministry of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady. Would you also like to be a member of the Purls and Prayers I Launch Team, brainstorming ways to spread the word about this book? Team members will receive an advance copy of the book so they can read and review it, then begin to create a buzz about it even before launch day. Together, we’ll create fun missions that will get the word out. Some will take us out into the world and others can be completed from the comfort of our own homes. “Either way,” as the pastor in the book says, “It’s an adventure!”
If you’re interested in going on this adventure with me, please click on the link below to access the application form for Purls and Prayers I!
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