Last Monday, on the eve of my debut novel’s release, I was trying to figure out how to celebrate. Word on the street is most release days are anti-climactic. I didn’t want mine to be. I wanted it to be memorable. So….
We went on a book hunt!
My very first sighting! It was in the regular romance section at Barnes and Noble.
Number one bestseller at Family Christian! Or maybe the man working temporarily swapped out Courageous. Toe-may-toe, Toe-mah-toe, really.
At the park! (Brogan’s favorite part of the day)
Ending the night with a Daddy-Mommy date that involved great conversation and fried pickles.
Since I knew my book wouldn’t make headline news, we decided to take the initiative and make the day special in our own way. I have to say, it was heavenly. One of the best days I’ve had in a long time. Because one of my lifelong dreams came true, sure. But mostly because I spent the day laughing and celebrating with the two people I love most.
That was on Tuesday.
Fast-forward to Saturday, May 12th. The day of my book launch party.
I had no idea what to expect. An article came out in our local newspaper that morning advertising the event. Books-A-Million ordered a hundred books. I thought that seemed like a lot. My husband thought it was too little (you have to love his optimistic thinking). I was a little nervous and a lot of excited.
The poster on the door. Thanks Amy Haddock!
Walking in with the truffles
I love the set up Books-A-Million provided!
My very first party-goer. I think the truffles drew her in. Marketing 101: Bring Chocolate
Here comes the entourage! B-man in his fedora (he wouldn’t take it off) and Aunt Peggy. Everybody in the world should have an Aunt Peggy. Sorry folks, she’s all mine.
My Dad. He’s pretty darn proud. 🙂
One of my junior high girls made me a cup!
It got busy fast!
People chitchatting in line.
Meanwhile, my son finds more fun things to do with his cousin, Ben.
And there’s the empty rack. We were sold out by 2 o’clock. The event was scheduled from 1-3 pm.
I felt bad for the people who came wanting books, but had to leave empty-handed. Turns out, I have incredibly supportive family and friends. Not only did they come, but they invited lots of friends. I’m pretty sure my mom invited her entire gym. People in the Quad Cities sure know how to help a girl celebrate!
If you don’t live nearby or you couldn’t make it on Saturday, I have good news! I’m having another launch party. This time online. I’ll be joining three other amazingly awesome debut novelists. There will be live video and lots of really cool prizes! It’s tomorrow evening. Check out the official invite for details. I would absolutely love to see you there!
Let’s Talk: How was your weekend? What did you do?
For a chance to win a copy of my novel, Wildflowers from Winter, hop on over to Sarah Forgrave’s blog and Cindy Wilson’s blog. Sarah gets me to confess that I was mistaken for a boy for a third of my life and Cindy writes a lovely review of my novel.
Congrats on a great launch day! What sweet words to an author’s ears…sold out. 🙂
This is just so fantastic!! I’m so happy for you and it’s so exciting to see your hard work pay off. Huge congrats… now enjoy the ride!
My book is coming in the mail! I loved hearing your new release story. I hope to chat with you tonight, if I can get past the technical difficulties with Spreecast.
i’m so sorry to get to this celebratory email so late in the game…but that’s what kind of day this has been! i’m THRILLED for you! SOLD OUT! wow!! what an amazing success! and i love your hub’s optimistic (and, turns out, realistic) thoughts! and the pic with you and your dad made me tear up. i wish i could have been there to support you too, but i was there in spirit. 🙂
my weekend was fantastic….got an iPad for mother’s day and i’m kinda in love with it. feeds my OCD-ness, i’m afraid. my little angel woke me up sunday to give me her gift she made for me in daycare (flower, with her picture as the middle, hand prints as petals, on which she wrote something she loved about me on each one: she’s pretty, she’s cool, she’s my only mom, she’s brave with bears (??), and she’s kind to God (jeannie=melt). the leaves at the bottom were her little feet! how CUTE is that?!?
The bear thing did me in. I literally almost spit out my water. Your daughter is awesome.
So… so… so… exciting – and I’ve only recently discovered your blog. Your book is now on my must read list. 🙂 Your day was a culmination of so much hard work – it’s inspiring. So cool how you intentionally celebrated the day and didn’t let it be anti-climactic. Congratulations on realizing your dream.
So glad you’re here Natalie! I really hope you enjoy the book when you read it!
What fun! The cover looks great. Your book’s on my to read list.
The highlight of my weekend was going to your book signing!I am just so happy for you and proud of you – you’d think you were my own kid or something. 🙂 I love Wildflowers so far – yes I’m a slow reader.
Your talent, your perseverance, and your devotion to God’s plan made this happen. Savor it!
Great pictures, Katie! How many authors can say they sold out at a signing?!
And why did I not realize you live in the Quad Cities? I just drove through there a week and a half ago! 🙁
Thanks so much for the congrats, everyone! It was definitely a day I won’t forget!
Congratulations, Katie! I’m hearing such GREAT things about your novel, so I can’t wait to read it. Blessings on this adventure. I’m so excited for you.
Katie, I can’t tell you how excited I am for you. Congrats on the success of your first novel. Wow, Family Christian bestseller! I’m so thankful to have won a copy. Looking forward to reading it.
As I was reading your post, I thought, what a perfect way to spend the eve of your release day. Blessings for continued success.
Katie, I’m so glad it went well! I finished your book over the weekend, and really enjoyed it. Robin’s story sounds great too.
So my question–how many of those people who came were there only because of the book and not because they knew you or your family? I’m a long ways from having a book signing, but I live in a small town with a small church and no family close by. So the idea of a book signing freaks me out a tad.
Just a tad. 🙂
Great question Sally! I happen to have a very LARGE, supportive extended family and a very big, supportive church family. So I’d say 90% were either people I know or people who were invited by somebody I know. 10% were people who came because of the article or just because they saw the line at the store and were intrigued.
That’s so awesome that you sold out at your book launch party. Looks like you guys were having a great time. What fun!
Loved reading this post and seeing pictures of your book signing! Congratulations on a dream fulfilled and the start of a promising career.
I am so excited for you that you SOLD OUT! That is pretty much awesome–we need a stronger word than awesome… 😉
LOVE that cup. What a sweet gift. And yes, love your husband’s optimism. 😀
Oh Katie,
I’m so thrilled for you! They’d better think about upping their purchases for the #1 Best-Seller!
Congratulations,
Becky
So exciting! Will keep the truffle idea in mind! So your husband’s optimism was duly rewarded! Grin.
Katie, that is fantastic! I am so glad you have such a supportive community. Congrats on a wonderful launch.
Congratulations!!!!! I’m soooo glad it was an awesome day for you! You deserve every minute of awesomeness!
How cool that you sold out!! So fun. And I love that you took your release day and made it your own.
I took a train up to the Grand Canyon with family this weekend! (I have pics on my blog today.) It was fun but I’m exhausted still. Whew.
So jealous! I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon! Sounds like a pretty sweet weekend!
Thanks so much for sharing, Katie. Happy tears are flowing for you. (“Oh, my gosh!” was my comment at the size of the crowd.) It is wonderful to see that you are making this season of your life so special!! (You are my kind of girl.) Your book arrived last week, and the ink is being aired out in the garage in my usual manner of sticking shells between the pages, and I will change pages when letting the pooch out. (Health issues grow patience.) Again, congratulations and well done, Katie Ganshert/author!!!
What do you mean about the ink drying? Does the ink affect your health?
Sounds like you are one patient woman, Patti! That makes you a perfect fit for the publishing industry!
Oh, Katie, I’m so excited for you! I’m glad you got to celebrate in your own way and the book launch went well 🙂
Congratulations, Katie! I can’t wait to meet you in the Twin Cities this coming weekend!
I can’t wait to meet you too, Brenda!
Congratulations! Added your Party announcement to my sidebar.
Thanks Patricia!
Congratulations on the success of your debut book release, Katie!! So thrilled for you. Looking forward to the Debs Soiree.
Katie, I am so glad it went to well for you! Sold out! Wow!! That is amazing! I know all of them will really enjoy your book!
Woohoo! I love that the store sold out…awesome! Congratulations. Can’t wait for the online party. 🙂
So glad you’re coming! Can’t wait either!
So amazing, Katie! Congratulations. I love your husband’s optimism – it will keep you going strong for many successful years to come.
I have the online launch party on my calendar and I’m hoping to join all of you tomorrow evening!
Hope to “see” you there, Gabrielle!
What a great launch party!! Congratulations, Katie. :o) THe book is wonderful and I wish you all the best with it!!!!!
Celebrating with you, Katie — and so happy for you! That’s the way to do a book signing!!
Yay!! Congrats!! Isn’t it fun?? I am so glad it all worked out for you.
I went to an author event this weekend and was on the panel of Arizona Authors talking about my book, the publishing business, and sold a few books too. What a joy!
God bless and may this be the first of MANY book launches for you!!
Yowza, what a crowd! This is such a fun post! For those of us who’ve followed your blog & publishing journey, we finally get to share in your joy (and success—congrats on being sold out!). I’m so glad you posted all the pictures, too! Very cool to see such a great turnout. 🙂
One of the libraries I frequent now has your novel on the new releases shelf, and there are already two awesome reviews on their site! Woo hoo!
I’m totally pumped that it’s at your library! Is that because you donated a copy or did you find it there? Yay for good reviews!
Yay Katie!! CONGRATULATIONS!! How fun! 🙂
I gotta say, “ditto on what Jesse said!”
Loved the cup! What a fun, fun day! Congrats on such a successful launch! Of course, I’ve read your most awesome story, so I’m not surprised in the least! 🙂
That looked like so much fun! So they’re ordering another 100, right??? 🙂 200?!
I loved that cup! What a cool gift!
Congratulations on such a fantastic day (and release signing). I’m so glad it was everything you hoped for!
Congratulations on your release and your incredibly successful book signing, Katie! I love that Ryan was optimistic–and that he was right.
Amazon shipped my copy of Wildflowers from Winter yesterday. I’m eager to see the final version, but it can’t take the place of my autographed ARC.