By Peter Arnaudo
•
April 6, 2025
Have you got a book coming out that you would like to launch at The Book Cow? We’d love to hear from you. As well as specialising in children’s literature , our store works closely with local authors from Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. How to Plan a Successful Book Launch at The Book Cow Whether you’ve scored a contract with the “ Big 5 ”, found a home with an indie publisher, or are doing it all yourself… you deserve to celebrate in style. This is everything you need to know to execute a successful book launch. Step 1. Set Realistic Goals What is the purpose behind your book launch? Do you want to… Increase your visibility as an author? Share this moment with your loved ones? Sell a certain number of books? Tell your story to a wider audience? Setting some goals for your launch will give you a target to aim toward, allowing you to make a cohesive plan. Step 2. Allocate a Budget Did you know that The Book Cow doesn’t charge an event fee? We know that getting a book ready for publishing can be an expensive venture, so we offer our venue and equipment for free. However, if you’d like to, you can start putting some money aside to fund something a little more extravagant. Some optional costs may include…: Food & Drink Decorations Giveaways (i.e. bookmarks) Online Adverts Marketing Step 3. Choose Your Ideal Release Date We find it easier to coordinate with authors who already have a rough date in mind for their book launch. Otherwise, there’s a lot of back and forth! Before you email us, try to choose a 2-week timeframe that works for you. We’ll then reply with any available slots, or, if we're all booked up, offer other options. Step 4. Choose Your Venue Depending on the target audience for your book, it may be more suitable to host your book launch in the park opposite our shop (Green Square). Young children like a little bit of space to run around, while adults tend to be much happier inside! Step 5. Provide Your Book Information Once the date, time, and venue of your book launch have been decided upon, we’ll be keen to upload the details to our website . To do so, we’ll need… Your book’s ISBN, blurb, and cover image. Your author photo and biography. We’ll then create the event through Humanitix , enabling pre-bookings. Once approved, it will show up on our events page. Step 6. Plan Your Event It’s time! The real work is about to begin. When you put a lot of thought into planning your book launch , the return will be tenfold. If you’d like to encourage attendees outside of your immediate circle to come along, start thinking out of the box. You could prepare… A game or activity based on your book. A Q&A. Book samples. Relevant entertainment (such as a musician or face painter). A special guest to feature. An evocative speech. Promotional handouts. A hashtag for social media. Props. Food and drinks. The list is endless! Although these extras aren’t necessary for planning a successful launch - all you really need is yourself and your book - they can help everyone have a good time! Plus, who doesn’t love cupcakes? Step 7. Market Your Event Once all the plans are in place, it’s time to start promoting your book launch. Even if it feels a little awkward to put yourself out there, it’s so important. Be sure to invite your friends and family as it’ll be extra special to have everyone you love celebrating with you. You could also try… Sharing your event on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Connecting with relevant groups to promote the launch. Preparing a poster and leaving it on community notice boards. The Book Cow will also share your book launch through our channels, so don’t worry if you don’t know anyone in Canberra. Your audience is out there! Step 8. Follow Up A week or two before your event, we encourage you to reach out to our events team. We’ll be able to estimate attendance numbers and answer any questions you may have. It’s always good to reassure yourself that everything is in order and we’re happy to offer that comfort. Step 9. Enjoy! A book launch is a momentous occasion. Congratulations! You deserve to have an incredible time. We’ll help you to set up on the day, making sure everything is ready to go. Step 10. Thank Your Attendees As the hours fly by and your book launch comes to a close, make sure to thank your attendees for coming - especially if you don’t know them! The last moments of a book launch are crucial for converting interest into sales and recognising their participation in your big day will make everyone feel happy. Step 11. Encourage Ongoing Support “Please may you leave a review?” This one question can transform the trajectory of your future as an author. A book launch is only the start of your journey, and encouraging your readers to follow you online, talk about your book, and write a review will boost your visibility and allow you to reach new audiences. You’ve got this. Planning a Successful Book Launch at The Book Cow - FAQs How do I plan a successful book launch? The secret to planning a successful book launch is starting early. The moment you know you have a book coming out, start promoting it online. Why should I have a formal book launch? “Hype” is a key ingredient to early sales. Planning an official event for your book’s launch will encourage your audience to get invested. How can I promote my book launch? Outside of creating a website and sending emails, you can try running competitions on social media, collaborating with book influencers, offering pre-order incentives, or purchasing adverts. What can The Book Cow provide for my book launch? For free, we offer the venue space, seating, PA system, and a display table for your books. We will also promote the event on our website and social media platforms. Do you feel a little more prepared to launch your book at The Book Cow? We offer evening slots (6pm) throughout the week or morning (11am) and afternoon (2pm) slots over the weekends. Choose your date, allocate a budget, and contact us today.
