It’s Pre-Order Eve!
Tomorrow is a big day; I’m going to press a button and something I've been working on for years will be one huge step closer to being out in the world. That is scary. And strange. And very exciting!
I've been asked a few times lately how many books I think I'll sell tomorrow. And the truth is, I have absolutely no idea and I'm okay with that. Tomorrow isn't the finish line. It's the beginning.
About a month ago, I announced that I was planning to launch pre-orders, and I thought I would just figure it out as I went. It seemed relatively simple. Not the case. I was a bit lost. Thankfully, another author pointed me toward a book marketing summit, where I heard author Ashley D. Shepard speak about building a successful pre-order campaign and she completely changed how I looked at the process. I immediately bought her book, Profitable Publishing with Pre-Orders, and instead of rushing ahead, I pressed pause.
It was a little embarrassing to admit that I wasn’t ready. I'd already told everyone my timeline, but it was not at all doable! I decided to get real with myself and get to work learning the next steps. I am so thankful that I did.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that a pre-order isn't just about asking someone to buy a book. It's about inviting them on the journey.
That's why we created two pre-order options instead of just one. Of course there's the book itself. I love that so many people whose children are grown have reached out and demanded a copy! That makes me so happy, and more than a bit emotional!
But for families who want to jump in with both feet, we've also put together a package with stickers, printable activities, and an early digital edition when it's ready. This seems a little more fun for those families that will see their current selves in the pages of the book!
Why anyone would pre-order a book that's still a few months away from arriving?
That's a fair question. The truth is that the book is happening whether tomorrow brings one order or one thousand. The pre-orders don't determine whether the book exists, but they do help determine how far it can go. Every order gives me a little more ability to market the book, introduce it to new readers, and hopefully get it into more homes.
And from the sappier side of Cathy Gordon, every pre-order tells me someone believes in this project before they've even held it in their hands. And that's an incredible gift.
One thing I've promised myself throughout this journey is that I won't pretend everything is perfect. You already know that. You saw it yourself; I confidently announced a launch date...and then had to come back and call myself a liar. Truth be told, I'd rather laugh about it than pretend it didn't happen.
The whole message behind Mom Dropped the F-Bomb is that perfection isn't the goal.
Real life is messy. Parenting is messy. And as it happens, building a book is messy.
I'd rather share the real version of this journey than a polished one. So, tomorrow isn't really about selling books. It's about finally sharing something I've carried around for years.
If you choose to pre-order, thank you. Not because you're buying a book, because you're telling an independent author that you believe this story deserves a place in the world. I'll never forget that. Tomorrow morning I'll hit "Publish" (okay, full disclosure, it will be scheduled). Then I'm probably going to walk away from my computer and my social media, take a deep breath, and let the story find its people.
See you tomorrow. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you!