Preparing to Launch

This week I'm launching Still Small Voice. This will be my fourth book launch. If you are a newcomer to my site, you might be wondering, "four launches?" I only see two books listed at Amazon. What other book launches are you talking about?

Originally the book titled Light of Mine was launched twice under a different name. Due to a myriad of reasons each of these launches were more like this guy's rocket, than a moon shot. I shared my experience with these failures and the changes I've made in my approach in some detail over on LinkedIn. That said, each launch has gotten a little better. Both in the "production value" of the launch materials, and it's actual effectiveness of getting my books into people's hands.

As I go into this launch, I'm surprised at how less frantic it is than the others. I had time to think about that over the weekend as a returned from a mini-meetup for the RealmMakers conference. At first, I thought it was that the pace life had slowed down. But on many levels that wasn't true. Then I thought maybe I've just become more proficient with the mechanics of a launch. But that didn't really fit either. I found myself this morning realizing I missed a deadline for a key advertising bit I wanted to do.

As I thought about it more though, I'm less nervous about this launch because of two key things, relationships and my faith. Still Small Voice was made possible by the contributions of a large group of people that cared enough about me and improving my craft to read, feedback and in many cases pray with me about my work. My critique group stands on two key principles,

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron,

so one person sharpens another.

The many people who've supported my writing journey have greatly reduced the stress in this launch.

As I reflected on God's hand in the launch, I read a post from my son Ethan about this week's sermon at church.

Today my pastor talked about Proverbs 16:1-9. As someone who likes to plan out pretty much everything in my life, I tend to have very high expectations for how things are going to happen. Sometimes those expectations cloud my judgement and I can often get disappointed that things didn't happen exactly the way I wanted it to. These verses made me realize that: yeah, my plans can be great and all, but sometimes I fail to see the bigger picture of it all. And maybe the reason why it didn't go my way was simply because it wasn't God's will.

He gave 3 points today: 1. We have been given a say, but God has reserved the final word for Himself. (V. 1) 2. We assume the best about our plans, but God is able to uncover our hidden motives. (V. 2) 3. Commit your everyday activities to the Lord and your plans will follow. (V. 3) Anyway, just wanted to share this wisdom in case anyone else needed it 😁

While I've given my very best to planning and executing this launch, the outcome will ultimately be in his hands. Knowing that gives me a greater sense of peace than any 8-point plan to book launch success. I can't say how blessed I was to see that truth so well summarized by my son.