My first novel is going to be published next spring. It will have taken nearly five years from concept to finished, printed book and I am very excited at the thought of finally seeing my work on sale. I have always dreamt of having a launch party with champagne and speeches but an older, muchpublished friend, has rather put a dampener on this.
She says that launch events rarely make a difference to the PR, and that the financial outlay for a party will never be recouped in books sales. I am with a very small publisher so I realise I would have to foot the bill myself but I am willing to do that within reason. As my own thinking is that any publicity is good. As I am an unknown, would a bookshop be willing to let me use their premises or would they send someone to sell books at a venue? I know my friends and family will turn up but how could I go about getting anyone else to come?