From Dream to Reality: Celebrating My First Book Launch
- M. Rosales
- May 28, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2024
I'm not going to lie; one of the moments I was most looking forward to after finishing my memoir Crossing the Cherry Blossom Sea, was throwing a book launch party. Being a natural party planner, I find joy in bringing people together, so what better way to celebrate the release of my book than with friends, family, and delightful food and drinks? After spending so much effort writing and publishing my first book, it felt incredible to finally share my book for the first time, and bask in the feeling of accomplishment and gratitude. It was an unforgettable day filled with love, laughter and celebration, and a wonderful way to release positive vibes for my book.
Why Have a Book Launch Party?
I have invested hundreds of hours on my book, so why not celebrate? I firmly believe in celebrating both the big and small milestones in our lives, as well as supporting the significant moments of our friends and family. Additionally, throwing a book launch party gives you the opportunity to connect with readers, take photos for your social media or website, and enlist help from family, friends or media to help promote the book. After weeks of planning, the location, theme and overall vibe of my book launch turned out exactly how I imagined. Here are all the details, and perhaps they will spark some inspiration for planning your very own book launch party.
The Venue
From the beginning, I had a clear vision for the look and feel of my book launch. I knew I wanted a unique, intimate venue with plenty of natural light that would allow me to beautifully showcase my books. I considered restaurants but none of them felt special enough, and the spaces wouldn't have allowed me the opportunity to be as creative with the decor. The event space I finally settled on was in a historic Ford building from the early 1900s, where the car company used to manufacture their vehicles. Since then, it has been transformed into creative and retail spaces, including an art gallery in the main entrance. The building provided the perfect creative backdrop for my book.
A Blossom-Inspired Theme
My book is titled Crossing the Cherry Blossom Sea, so it was a no-brainer for me to go with a spring theme, and incorporate shades of pinks and blues in my decor. To add an Asian flair I spread cherry blossom fans and parasols on the tables and chairs, with plenty of candles to create a romantic ambiance throughout the space.
"Seoul" Food
My book is about my adoption experiences and my return to South Korea after almost three decades. It also explores the rich food, culture and history of South Korea, so it was only natural for me to provide Korean food at my event. A few weeks before the book launch, I stumbled across a local Korean food truck that had some of the best bibimbap and kimchi fried rice I've ever tasted. With fingers crossed, I asked the woman at the counter if they catered and, fortunately, she said yes! I think Korean food is the ultimate comfort food, so I was thrilled to be able to share my culture with my guests, and some of them admitted they had never even tried the dishes before.
The Central Narrative
My books were front and center at the event—it's a book launch after all! I had a main table where most of my books were displayed, and it was also where I signed books. I also placed a book in front of each seat at the dining tables, ensuring there was a copy for each of my guests. Everyone was free to take a book at the end of the event, and it served as the perfect memento.
Ultimately, having a successful book launch party takes detailed planning, time, investment, and creativity, but it is all worth it in the end! However, my journey as an author doesn't stop here. I'm excited to continue sharing my book with as many readers as possible, and celebrating the book launch was the perfect way to commemorate this new chapter.
Photography by McKenzie Bakker.
My memoir is out now on Amazon! Buy Now or Subscribe.
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