The Meaning of a Book Launch

Not long ago, I shared stories from my background in publishing—my battles to get books into print, my occasional successes and many failures—and I thought I’d meditate, a little more, on what it means for me when a book is about to be released. The conventional wisdom, for as long as I’d known it, was that the launch was absolutely crucial for any book. Whether it’s nonfiction or a novel, the first few weeks are pivotal. If a book’s not selling then, it’s lights out. And if it is selling, if it’s got early momentum, that’s everything. You’re on your way.