Guest Column by H.B. Akumiah

H. B. Akumiah is a fiction writer based in New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, a master’s degree in history, and an enduring love of reality TV. Bad Witches is her first novel.

I always knew I wanted to throw a big party to celebrate the publication of my debut novel, Bad Witches. The idea of working for years on a book and letting it flutter out into the world without a celebration marking its arrival – and in spectacular fashion– was unfathomable to me. I’m not alone in thinking this way. Last year, Nylon published an article about book parties that made the rounds in the literary circles, and in season five of Sex and The City, Carrie Bradshaw argued the importance of the book party, claiming, “There is one day even the most cynical New York woman dreams of all her life…her book release party.”

The book release party stands at a strange intersection of personal and professional– part celebration of what you’ve done, part effort to kick off promotion of your new book. It’s not an easy balance to strike, but here are some rules that helped me throw the party my first book deserved.

Your Book Cover is Your Brand

If you’re not a decorator, or a person with great taste, it can be hard to know where to start with decorating. I had my breakthrough when I was deciding on a backdrop for party photos. I’d planned to have a vinyl backdrop with the name of my book and words “launch party” somewhere on them. But when I described my vision to a friend, she asked me what I had against just using my book cover as a backdrop. Duh. The idea was so obvious that she assumed I’d already considered it and passed for some reason.

The most successful books have covers that you see everywhere, and using your cover at your party is a great way to start building your cover’s recognition, especially if you use the cover as a photo backdrop. You can also use the title font (reach out to your cover designer!) and the cover’s main colors for other elements of your party– think custom menus in the title font or drinks in shades that are prominent on the cover. Print your cover on a cake to give guests something fun to photograph or have your cover recreated on a cookie to give attendees branded– and edible–  swag they can take home.

Invite Local Influencers

By now, everyone knows that reaching out to book influencers is a great way to spread the word about your work. But so much influencer outreach takes place virtually or long-distance that you may have forgotten that influencers are real people who exist in real life– some of them are even in your city. When you’re putting together your guest list, consider reaching out to local influencers and inviting them to your launch party. The party gives you a chance to present your book to potential readers on your terms– from the music, to the venue, to the activities you have lined up for guests, this is your opportunity to set the first impression of your book. And it’s genuinely fun to interact with members of the online book community. Outreach can often feel stiff or transactional, but meeting people in person helps you put faces to handles and build real relationships.

Bring Your Book to Life

Identify the most memorable details in your book and find ways to make them part of your event. For me, this was one of the most fun parts of planning my launch party. My debut is about witches, so I hired a tarot reader, had floating orbs and candles, bathed the venue in purple lighting, and projected scenes from iconic witchy films on the walls of the event.

The three main characters in my novel have very distinct personalities, so I offered three cocktails, each named after one of the book’s main characters. This makes the party more fun for everyone in attendance, but also helps people get invested in the world you’ve built.

Read A Captivating Section

Whenever you read from your work, it’s important to consider the context of your reading. Is it a solo reading, or are you reading alongside other writers? What’s your audience like? Is it an easygoing crowd that would laugh at a funny excerpt? A fidgety crowd that might pull out their phones once you pass the five-minute mark? What do you want the audience to get out of the section you’re sharing? When it comes to reading at your book party, I think it’s best to read a section that’s truly representative of your book’s pitch. You want attendees to have a strong understanding of what the book is about, and to have a good excuse to go out and buy it. Finding an excerpt that fits this mold might sound like a big ask, but there are few guiding principles that will make it easier to find the perfect section. Read from a part of the book that includes the main characters, sets up an early essential plot point, and embodies the tone of the book.

Release week can be a stressful time for authors, so my greatest piece of advice is that you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. It’s always nice to get the details right, but don’t let those details get in the way of celebrating your new book. Eat, drink, be merry, and make sure to thank the people who helped you get to pub day.

Bad Witches by H.B. Akumiah

In the Witch Sphere, a crisis brews as witches give birth to more non-witches, threatening their society’s future. Determined to help, Nadia works at the Witch Health Organization, navigating the political games of her powerful mother. Meanwhile, Maya, Gabbie, and Delali—three unlikely friends who discover their own accidental magic—must learn to wield their powers as they uncover secrets that could hold the key to the Typic Crisis, all while having a little fun along the way.

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