Properly Launched
“I’d say Suddenly Single Mom has been properly launched,” my friend Susy said. “What do you think?”
“Oh, wow, yes!”
Two months ago, I’d almost given up on having a traditional launch party for the book I’d worked so hard on. Most authors I knew had them at bookstores, but our local Christian bookstore had just announced it was closing. Other ideas only led to disappointing “We don’t really do things like that” responses, until my friend Cheryl suggested, “Would you like to have it at my house?”
“Really?” I’d never heard of a home launch party, but why not? Cheryl had lots of books, so it would feel sort of like celebrating in a bookstore. But I had a pretty long list of people I wanted to invite. Would we violate fire codes? Would friends declare the place too crowded and leave? Would experienced writers laugh?
I declared it the ideal location when I considered how Cheryl took me under her wing after I moved back to Mom and Dad’s. She’d been my first close starting-life-over friend and walked with me through every adjustment and healing process. She’d helped me feel at home at my new church and nudged me out of my comfort zone. She’d been one of the many who prayed me through the writing of Suddenly Single Mom and critiqued early attempts at chapters. Her home was as perfect as the full-circle experience of celebrating Release Day at Mount Hermon.
On Sunday afternoon, I stood in Cheryl’s living room surrounded by family and friends from almost every area of my life. I’d carefully created meaningful giveaways that winners could either keep or pass on to someone else, and each one was a hit. My sister Sherry sold books, Kristy took charge of the guest book, and friends took lots of pictures. I caught Nathan looking proud of me. No bookstore could have matched the sweet spirit in Cheryl’s home!
The morning before, my Bible study friend surprised me with a breakfast book signing so I could autograph books for them to donate to Divorce Care and other ministries. When I thought about that and the on-going celebration during the Mount Hermon Conference, I felt like I’d had three launch parties!
I’d thought I needed to give up on the idea of celebrating the release of Suddenly Single Mom, and instead God multiplied the celebration. Each one was unique. In the end, I got to celebrate with more guests than I ever could have fit inside a bookstore.
[bctt tweet=”I’d thought I needed to give up on the idea of celebrating the release of Suddenly Single Mom, and instead God multiplied the celebration. “]
Thank you, Father, for being a God who celebrates with His children. Thank you for knowing the perfect venue for each special moment.
When have you seen God create a celebration on your behalf?
Happy Release Day at Mount Hermon
Breakfast book signing
A panoramic view of the perfect launch party location
Just a few of the people who made the party wonderful
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
Thank you for sharing this with us, Jeanette. Your story is so encouraging! And I love hearing about God’s multiple launch parties. I am so happy to be able to celebrate God’s faithfulness in seeing you come through all of this. Your trust in the Lord has inspired me.
I felt like God created a special celebration for me this year when I brought my completed manuscript to Mount Hermon. It was a huge accomplishment for me and I felt support from so many of the writers and faculty there. It may not be comparable to a book launch in a lot of people’s eyes, but for me it was just as meaningful.
Keep at it! You are making a difference in so many people’s lives. I am grateful to be able to call you friend.
Arriving at Mount Hermon with a completed novel is definitely comparable! That took a lot of hard work and discipline. I’m so proud of you :). I felt so honored to be part of your celebration!
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Your friendship is a treasure!