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Question of the Month: Launch

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Launch: To set in motion; to introduce to the public or to a market; to give someone a start. It’s a brand new season. What are you setting in motion? Starting a new book? Applying for writer grants? Sending out a short story? Rekindling your marriage? Collecting new recipes? Let’s hear about something you’re about to launch, even the smallest thing.

September 21st marks the launch of my novel. The book launch is a group effort between me, HarperCollins, and any of you who’d like to join us in announcing the publication of UP FROM THE BLUE. After the launch, it’s up to the strength of the book and word of mouth to reach success. I hope you all have big mouths! 😀

I’ll say more about all of this on the 21st. In the meantime, here’s a link to an on-air show I’m doing on October 26th with BookClubGirl Internet Radio (if you sign up, you’ll get reminders sent to you). And here’s the book trailer Mr. Henderson made for my book with music by our friend, Scott House, who composes for movie trailers. Enjoy! And don’t forget to tell your own launch story in the comments section…

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40 Comments
  • Nathalie
    September 6, 2010

    Life is a constant launch, and then we spend most of our time running behind things that are drifting, trying to direct them.
    Launching recently included submissions of stories/poems, changing my treadmill walking plan, finally attacking Eugène Sue’s “Les Mystères de Paris” (a hefty 1300 odd pages), starting a new photographic quest for reflections, cleaning up a room (throwing/giving away tons of stuff), and planning a weekend in Dublin.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 6, 2010

      Nathalie, What a life you have, and I love the idea of life being a constant launch. I’m going to be thinking of this all day. (Can’t wait to hear what you end up doing in Dublin!)

      • Nathalie
        September 7, 2010

        The pretext is going to the Octocon because I am meeting friends there (one of them is an invited speaker and she hasn’t got a clue about what she is expected to speak about although she knows for sure what she is not allowed to speak of).

        • Susan Henderson
          September 7, 2010

          I had to google Octocon, and now I’m even more jealous than before.

          • Nathalie
            September 7, 2010

            I don’t go to this type of events normally but I have a perfect excuse. There are bound to be some people with interesting costumes, so at least, if I am not interested in the event, I can take pictures. Maybe buy a few books. Although a friend in Dublin has a bookshop, so I’d rather spend my money at her place.

  • Nathalie
    September 6, 2010

    I might use “Launch” for the 21st September entry at Word of the Day and use it to plug your book.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 6, 2010

      That is so awfully nice. Thank you.

      • Susan Henderson
        September 7, 2010

        Wow, I tried to reply to your message about the Dublin event and I guess there’s a cap on how many replies are allowed per thread. Who knew?! But I was curious if you’ll be wearing a costume. Either way, hope you take lots of pictures.

        • Nathalie
          September 8, 2010

          Nooo. Never. Goodness knows I don’t want to end in a picture.

          • Susan Henderson
            September 8, 2010

            I’m the same and feel totally stupid in a costume.

  • Billy Bones
    September 6, 2010

    I love early mornings: noiselessly slipping out of bed into the darkness, untethered, into a moon-tide of possibilities.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 6, 2010

      That’s gorgeous, Bones. The other day, I was thinking of the bony finger stirring inside the tea cup. You said it better, but the image (and the sound!) has stuck with me.

      • Nathalie
        September 7, 2010

        You could get bones stained that way.

        • Billy Bones
          September 12, 2010

          A few Whitestrips, just so, and problem solved.

  • Jess
    September 6, 2010

    Congratulations, Susan! A bit early, but congratulations nonetheless. 🙂

    Dunno that I can properly call it a “launch”, given it’s the fourth time I’ve sent this particular story out, but I just submitted something to Iron Horse Literary Review. To be honest I think I may be shooting to miss this time around. But now at least I have four months not to think about it. (Read: I will think about it constantly.)

    • Susan Henderson
      September 6, 2010

      Oh, I like that magazine. Best of luck with your story finding a home! (I always find the best thing to do during the wait is to write the next one… otherwise I get a little batty.)

  • Aurelio O'Brien
    September 6, 2010

    I’m still doing all the systems checks, but my new novel will probably launch in November if all goes well. I’ve build a whole new kind of spacecraft, so I’m nervous and excited.

    I’d hate for it to blow up on the launch pad.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 6, 2010

      Ha! I love your metaphor! And really looking forward to your secretly-planned launch.

  • Adrienne
    September 6, 2010

    This month marks my launch into being an official Book Reviewer and Author Interviewer, and the beginning of serious and intense focus on my WIP. It’s the launch of myself into the murky sort-of-plan I have to get a book on the shelves, and put other books into the hands of those who will appreciate them.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 7, 2010

      Hey, so glad you’re here! Excited about the serious and intense focus on your… oh, why not take the leap and call it… “your book”!

      • Adrienne
        September 7, 2010

        Because that’s *scary*, that’s why not. Maybe when I have enough written to feel like a substantial brochure (an instruction manual, perhaps?), maybe then I’ll call it “my book”.

        • Susan Henderson
          September 7, 2010

          Well, you can at least call it “your whip,” which carries a little more thrill and power than a WIP. 😉

  • Ellen Meister
    September 7, 2010

    I am launching my daughter into Jewish adulthood! (She becomes a Bat Mitzvah in just four weeks.)

    So excited to help celebrate YOUR launch!
    xo

    • Susan Henderson
      September 7, 2010

      Can’t wait to hear how it goes, Ellen. xo

  • billie hinton
    September 7, 2010

    So excited for you and for Up From The Blue! I can’t wait to read it.

    I’m launching November Hill Press this month – “fiction, nonfiction, and photography that illuminate and transform” – and while this year I am focusing on my own books (both to get them out there and to learn the ropes), I hope to offer an umbrella for other voices in 2011.

    First title available later this month is claire-obscure. She’s been on the launch pad for a long time so I’m eager to see her fly. 🙂

    • Susan Henderson
      September 7, 2010

      Billie, How exciting! Give us a link to November Hill Press. And how great that you’ve found a way to combine the writing and photography!

      • billie hinton
        September 7, 2010

        Right now, you can check in at the blog:

        http://november-hill-press.blogspot.com/

        join the November Hill Press Facebook group:

        http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=119439384759563&ref=ts

        or follow on Twitter by searching for novhill.

        For 2010 the photography from November Hill Press will be in the form of two calendars. One will feature the landscape photography of Matthew Cromer (see his work at lightskyland.com) and the other will be “Through the Year On November Hill” – which will feature photographs of the the equines I live and work with, along with excerpts from my forthcoming (January 2011) nonfiction book “Partners in Zen.”

        We’re working on new ways to offer photography than the typically expensive and over-sized “coffee table books.” I love them and own many, but they are awkward to shelve, and don’t always show the photos off to best advantage. Software architect husband is helping me with this! 🙂

        • Susan Henderson
          September 7, 2010

          Wonderful logo, and really smart to consider people’s finances. I hope you’ll be updating all of us along the way!

  • Joan Sween
    September 7, 2010

    Susan, I just read your comments in Chuck Sambuchino’s blog Feedblitz on what to say when you’re asked about being a writer . I am the founder of a nonprofit network called Minnesota Writer’s Alliance, serving SE MN (just an informational network, nothing to join or with any dues) . We email a free monthly newsletter to a little over 100 writers in our area. May I have your permission to reprint your comments in Chuck’s blog in our next newsletter? Joan

    • Susan Henderson
      September 7, 2010

      Hi Joan, I’d be absolutely honored to be in your newsletter!

  • Molly Anderson-Childers
    September 7, 2010

    Dear Ms. Henderson- I recently read your new article on Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog, and it inspired me to connect with you. Thank you so much for your heartfelt words about writing. I, too, think weird thoughts at Little League games, and need to write them down… your work really spoke to me. I appreciate your sharing this aritcle with the world. In answer to your question, I am currently launching my career as a freelance writer and creativity consultant. 3-2-1, blast off!

    -Molly

  • Jim Nichols
    September 9, 2010

    Hmm, thought I’d commented, but maybe it didn’t go through…?

    Anyway, I love the trailer, it’s a great component for your Up From The Blue launch. You’re book is definitely going to be a knockout and I’ll be its biggest fan.

    Meself, I’m in the wee first stages of launching a new collection out into the world. Polishing and working on a couple more stories to finish it off. Will launch the stories first by themselves, since only three have been published and I need to get some more.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 9, 2010

      Very, very happy to hear you have a new collection in the works! Email me if you need ideas for where to send those unpublished stories once they’re ready.

  • Jessica Keener
    September 10, 2010

    Launch – I think every day is some form of launch—can I launch a better attitude? Or launch into the work waiting for me?

    But this month, my mind has been on your debut novel, Sue, and I have some news.
    Robin Slick, Tish Cohen, and I have decided to launch an e-party to celebrate Up from the Blue! We’d love LitPark readers, lurkers, commenters to join us by continuing this discussion on September 21, 2010 via your own blogs, Facebook pages, etc. For more details and to R.S.V.P., please click the below link. And thank you!

    http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152916538070484&ref=mf

    • Susan Henderson
      September 10, 2010

      Wow, it’s like waking up and finding out it’s my birthday. You are dear and generous and I’m so very moved. xox

  • Colin Matthew
    September 20, 2010

    I’m on the verge of starting payments on my student loans.

    Wait, this sucks. G’ah!

    • Susan Henderson
      September 20, 2010

      Colin, Just enroll in another program and defer those payments. 😉

  • Lynette Benton
    September 26, 2010

    I just launched my book, Polish and Publish—the Indispensable Toolkit for Creative Writers!

    And I’m thrilled to meet everyone here. And to check out Up From the Blue.

    • Susan Henderson
      September 26, 2010

      So glad to have you here, Lynette. And congratulations on your launch! Feel free to add a link to your book.

Susan Henderson