The book launch is a rite of passage for a debut novelist. Well, for any writer publishing a book really. It’s something you muse about during the long journey to publication; who you’ll invite, a cool venue to hold it. What it’s going to be like showing off a real book after all that time working, writing, waiting!

And then … Corona!

I’d booked my launch for No Small Shame at Readings Hawthorn way back in December, I was that excited! After attending many such similar events, it was finally going to be my turn!

Hmm … Corona!

I returned from a writing residency on Norfolk Island at the end of February believing I had four weeks to organise invitations, nibbles, wine, an outfit, and to get out and introduce myself to booksellers, knowing that Ventura Press’s wonderful distributors, Simon and Schuster had been out and about already and the book was on pre-order. Then the Corona sky began to darken as the nightly news went from worrying to more urgent to lockdowns imminent.

Mid-March, on the Saturday, I was a guest speaker at the Women Writing History Day at Eltham Library. It was my first chance to publicly speak about No Small Shame, to sell and sign books, and I was so delighted to be able to do so in advance of the release date. I had the thrill of selling every copy I’d taken and signing each book for the purchaser with my brand new author signature. (As opposed to the one I use on my credit card!)

With the Corona news worsening, I handed out invitations to my launch that day with a pang of trepidation. There was ‘no hugging’ ‘no kissing’, though there were lovely, quiet words of congratulations. ‘We’ll do the real thing at the launch!’

That night, the news made lockdowns sound imminent! My stomach began to knot, but I was amazed at how well I was handling the prospect that my launch could be cancelled. The next day, orders to self-isolate, avoid crowds and any unnecessary gatherings began to bode ill. Still I remained calm!

The next day came the cancellation.

There were tears! And disappointment. But, I do have to say that any misery quickly dissipated, thanks to the instant and voluminous outreach by the online writing community to all authors who’d had their launches and events cancelled. Along with some particularly wonderful offers to assist debut authors.

That same day, fellow debut author, Kirsten Krauth set up a fabulous new Facebook group, Writers Go Forth. Launch Promote Party to provide a forum for authors who’d lost their launches and events to promote and celebrate the release of their books. Opportunities and offers began to flood in and within days I had several fabulous blog and interview spots lined up and two very exciting guest spots on podcasts. Holding a launch online began to seem a real possibility too – though I’d no clue how to go about it. Even, a few days later, as I scheduled and posted news of my virtual launch, I wasn’t sure how it would all work. At first, the plan was for the wonderful Alison Goodman, my launcher, writing buddy and friend, to come to my house, so we could either record or livestream proceedings. We decided, being online, we needed to make the launch more interactive than just speeches, so we’d do a short QandA.

Within a matter of days though, social isolation regulations became more stringent, the need for care more urgent, and the plan changed to prerecording the launch from our separate houses. Perhaps via Zoom.

I wasted several stressful days trying to work out if we could livestream from separate houses, or run a pre-recorded video during a livestream. It’s allegedly possible if you have the know-how and technology. We did not! So we reverted to Plan B, to pre-record the actual launch and then once it played on the night, I’d flip to a livestream. Right up until the moment that the livestream worked, I wasn’t sure or convinced it would; despite having a phone tutorial on the process from wonderful author and tech whiz L.J Owen.

There were a few little hiccoughs along the way! Facebook didn’t deliver all my invitations. Apparently, they have a guest limit and a send only a few ‘at one time’ limit. Some guests were unable to comment during the event. I’m still not sure if it was the group Facebook settings or the guest’s privacy settings? However, I was thrilled that most people managed to let me know that they were there either in the comments, by text, Messenger or email.

I’d seen from others’ experiences how hard it is to search through all the lovely messages and comments to find the questions, so my daughter was on stand-by (at her house) to text me any questions via my laptop.

I am thrilled to say now, that on the night, all went exactly to plan. The video uploaded and played; and when it finished, I successfully switched to the livestream. I was hugely relieved though to see that first message appear in the comments, letting me know that someone was out there and watching. Questions duly arrived via text giving me the chance to talk about the journey of writing No Small Shame and share some of the research and background to the novel. I’m still amazed how natural it all seemed. And it was an absolute joy to know that so many family, friends and peers were there watching, including many that couldn’t have been at a physical launch here in Melbourne. Sadly I did lose a few guests when we switched to livestream who’d not realised the launch was to continue.

It all felt like a real celebration! And strangely, I didn’t feel solitary or socially distanced at all. No, the night wasn’t what I’d planned; but that didn’t lessen the joy of holding up No Small Shame, knowing it was out in the world – finding readers – and being read.

If you’d like to learn more about No Small Shame (or even get yourself a copy!), you can find more information here. To hear more from Christine, check out her website: christinebell.com.au