{"skill":{"slug":"book-launch-coach","displayName":"Book Launch Coach","summary":"Coach an author through writing, launching, and selling a book — fiction or non-fiction, self-published or trad-pubbed, debut or backlist relaunch. Covers co...","description":"---\nname: book-launch-coach\ndescription: Coach an author through writing, launching, and selling a book — fiction or non-fiction, self-published or trad-pubbed, debut or backlist relaunch. Covers concept validation, outline structure, writing schedule, beta readers, editor selection, cover design, blurb/description writing, Amazon KDP optimization, ad strategy (Amazon, Facebook, BookBub), launch calendar, mailing list buildup, and post-launch sustained-sales tactics. Knows the 2026 self-pub playbook for KU, wide distribution, audiobook (ACX, Findaway), and IngramSpark print. Use when asked to write a book, launch a book, plan a book launch, optimize Amazon KDP, write a book blurb, design a book cover brief, run book ads, build an author newsletter, or relaunch a backlist title. Triggers on \"book launch\", \"self-publishing\", \"kdp\", \"amazon ads books\", \"book blurb\", \"book cover\", \"amazon ranking\", \"kindle unlimited\", \"audiobook\", \"trad publishing\", \"author newsletter\", \"writing a book\".\nmetadata:\n  tags: [\"books\", \"publishing\", \"self-publishing\", \"kdp\", \"amazon\", \"writing\", \"authors\", \"indie-author\"]\n---\n\n# Book Launch Coach\n\nCoach an author from \"I'm writing a book\" through the messy parts of bringing it to readers — concept, draft, edit, launch, and the 12-month tail. Built for both first-time authors and authors with a backlist who need to re-engage.\n\n## Usage\n\n**Basic invocation:**\n> Help me launch my book on [topic / genre]\n> Write a blurb for my book\n> Should I self-publish or query agents?\n> Plan my launch week\n> My book stalled — diagnose\n\n**With context:**\n> Romance novel, finished draft 95k words, debut author, no platform.\n> Business non-fiction, 65k words, have 8k email list, want $50k year-1 revenue.\n> Sci-fi book 3 in trilogy, books 1+2 sold 4k each, need to reignite series.\n> Memoir, finished draft, traditional pub interest from one agent so far.\n\nThe coach diagnoses the project (genre, audience, monetization path, author platform), then plans the path appropriate to that context.\n\n## Path Selection\n\nThree viable paths in 2026:\n\n### Self-publishing (KDP / wide / hybrid)\n\n- **Pros:** 70% royalty (vs 10–15% trad), 60-day publish timeline, full control, ongoing income\n- **Cons:** All effort on you (cover, edit, marketing), trade discoverability comes slowly\n- **Best for:** non-fiction authors with platform, genre fiction (romance, thriller, fantasy), serial fiction\n\n### Traditional publishing (Big 5 + indies)\n\n- **Pros:** Distribution, prestige, advance, professional production\n- **Cons:** 12–18 month timeline post-deal, 10–15% royalty after agent's 15%, lose control\n- **Best for:** literary fiction, prestige non-fiction, memoirs with platform, debut commercial fiction\n\n### Hybrid (small press, hybrid press, or indie + selective trad)\n\n- **Pros:** Some distribution + more royalty than trad\n- **Cons:** Vetting required (avoid vanity presses), variable quality\n- **Best for:** authors who want some help but reject trad timelines, niche topics\n\nThe coach asks four questions to recommend the path:\n\n1. Is your genre / topic on bestseller lists in self-pub or trad? (Romance → self-pub default; literary → trad default)\n2. Do you have a platform (audience, list, social)?\n3. Are you writing one book or planning a series / list?\n4. Is your timeline 6 months or 18 months?\n\n## Pre-Launch Validation (Non-Fiction)\n\nFor non-fiction, validate before writing:\n\n- Test the concept with 5 target readers (15-min interview each)\n- Outline complete with chapter-level summaries\n- Sample chapter shared in newsletter or blog; check engagement\n- Pre-sale on platform (Substack, your site) for early access\n\nFor fiction, validate by:\n\n- Checking Amazon's Top 100 in your sub-genre — what's working\n- Reading 5 books that just launched in your sub-genre — pacing, length, tone\n- Beta readers who read this genre regularly (not just friends)\n\n**Concept red flags:**\n\n- \"There's no book like this\" — usually means no audience\n- \"It's like [megahit] but\" — derivative without differentiation\n- \"Everyone will love this\" — too broad, no real reader\n\n## Writing Schedule\n\nA finished book beats a perfect book. Schedules that ship:\n\n- **6-week sprint** (50k words): 1,200 words/day, 6 days/week\n- **3-month draft** (75k words): 850 words/day, 5 days/week\n- **6-month manuscript** (90k words): 500 words/day, 5 days/week\n\n**Tactics:**\n\n- Set daily word count, not \"I'll write today\"\n- Track in Scrivener, Ulysses, or just Google Docs with running totals\n- Weekly review: did I hit target? If no, what blocked?\n- Allow rough drafts — fix in revision, not in first draft\n- \"If I had to publish tomorrow\" pressure beats perfectionism\n\n## Editing Stack (Self-Pub)\n\nIndie authors who skip editing get punished by reviews. The minimum stack:\n\n| Pass | Cost | When |\n|---|---|---|\n| Self-edit (read aloud) | $0 | First |\n| Beta readers (3–5) | $0 | After self-edit |\n| Developmental editor (story / structure) | $1,500–4,000 | Early — fix big issues |\n| Line editor (sentence flow) | $0.025–0.05/word | After dev edit |\n| Copy editor (grammar, consistency) | $0.015–0.03/word | After line edit |\n| Proofreader (final typos) | $0.012–0.02/word | After typesetting |\n\n**Skipping the developmental editor is the mistake authors regret most.** It's the difference between \"okay\" and \"I love this book.\"\n\nFor non-fiction, also add a fact-checker if making strong claims.\n\n## Cover Design\n\nCover sells the book. Period. Genre conventions matter more than originality.\n\n**Self-pub cover best practices:**\n\n- Hire a designer who specializes in your genre. Don't reuse a wedding photographer.\n- Costs: $300–800 for genre fiction; $500–1500 for non-fiction; $1k–3k for premium\n- Title and author name readable at thumbnail size (Amazon list)\n- Genre conventions matter (romance has couple-on-cover for a reason; thriller has high-contrast type for a reason)\n- Mockup test: place your cover among the top 20 in your sub-genre. Does it fit? Does it stand out?\n\n**Cover red flags:**\n\n- Stock photo with a font slap (low-effort look)\n- Title in too-thin font (unreadable)\n- Wrong genre signaling (literary cover on a beach romance)\n- Author name larger than title (only acceptable for established authors)\n\n## Blurb / Book Description\n\nThe blurb is what converts a click into a buy. It's the second most important element after the cover.\n\n**Anatomy of a strong fiction blurb:**\n\n```\n[Hook: one-line setup that intrigues]\n\n[Stake paragraph: introduce the protagonist's situation and what's at risk]\n\n[Conflict paragraph: what they're up against, why it matters]\n\n[Choice / question: what they'll have to do, decision they'll face]\n\n[Optional: comp titles or genre cue — \"For fans of X meets Y\"]\n```\n\n**Anatomy of non-fiction blurb:**\n\n```\n[Pain hook: the reader's problem in their words]\n\n[Promise: what this book will help them do / understand / change]\n\n[Credibility: brief author background relevant to the topic]\n\n[What's inside: 3–4 specific bullets of value]\n\n[CTA: who this book is for, why now]\n```\n\n**Blurb rules:**\n\n- 150–250 words (Amazon truncates after ~250)\n- Bold and italic strategically (Amazon allows HTML in description)\n- Don't summarize the plot — sell the experience\n- Don't reveal the ending\n- Don't compare to so-many other books it loses identity\n\n## Amazon KDP Setup\n\nOptimization basics:\n\n- **Title:** primary keywords, but readable. Don't subtitle-stuff.\n- **Subtitle (non-fiction):** \"Subtitle: Specific Outcome / Reader Type\"\n- **Categories:** pick 2 main + ask Amazon support to add up to 8 more (lesser-known)\n- **Keywords:** 7 slots, mostly long-tail. Use Publisher Rocket or KDSPY for research.\n- **Look Inside:** first 10% must hook. Front-load chapter 1.\n- **Pricing:**\n  - Ebook: $2.99–4.99 for indie genre fiction; $9.99–14.99 for non-fiction\n  - Paperback: $9.99–17.99 depending on length\n  - Hardcover (KDP): $19.99–29.99\n\n**KU (Kindle Unlimited) decision:**\n\n- KU exclusive (no other ebook stores) for 90-day cycles\n- Romance, romantasy, and serial fiction usually win in KU\n- Wide distribution (Apple, Kobo, Nook, Google Play) better for literary, non-fiction, slow-burn series\n\n## Author Platform / Newsletter\n\nThe single most-important asset for a long-term author career:\n\n- Build before launch (start 6+ months before publication)\n- Lead magnet relevant to the book (free chapter, story prequel, mini-guide)\n- Send 1–2 emails/month consistently\n- Mailing list providers: ConvertKit, MailerLite, Substack\n- Goal milestones: 500 subs by launch (small but real); 5k subs by book 3\n\n**Newsletter content mix:**\n\n- Book updates (cover reveals, milestones)\n- Behind-the-scenes (process, research, life as a writer)\n- Recommendations (other books in the genre)\n- Direct asks (read, review, share)\n\n## Launch Strategy\n\n**8 weeks out:**\n\n- Cover reveal in newsletter\n- Pre-order live on Amazon\n- Recruit ARC team (Advanced Reader Copies — 30–50 readers who'll review)\n- Schedule podcast / blog interviews\n- Set up Amazon ads (low budget, learning campaigns)\n\n**4 weeks out:**\n\n- Send ARCs to reviewers\n- Final blurb / cover / metadata polish\n- Pre-launch email to list\n- Plan launch-week social calendar\n\n**Launch week:**\n\n- Day 1: launch email to list\n- Day 2: ad campaigns ramped\n- Day 3: BookBub / NewInBooks features (paid promos)\n- Day 4–6: social pushes, influencer asks, podcast drops\n- Day 7: thank-you email + ask for reviews\n\n**Post-launch month:**\n\n- Monitor reviews; respond to negative ones gracefully (or not at all)\n- Reach 30 reviews milestone (Amazon Verified Reviews unlock more visibility)\n- Pivot ad strategy from \"launch\" to \"evergreen\"\n\n## Amazon Ads Strategy\n\nThree ad types in 2026:\n\n- **Sponsored Products (manual keyword):** target competitor titles and high-volume keywords\n- **Sponsored Brands (lockup):** showcase your author brand or series\n- **Lockscreen ads:** newer, less common, mixed results\n\nBudget tiers:\n\n- Launch: $20–50/day for 30 days, learning campaign\n- Steady-state: $5–20/day after profitability dialed\n\nTargeting:\n\n- Specific competitor authors (their book titles as keywords)\n- Genre keywords (\"dark romantasy enemies to lovers\")\n- Negative keywords (filter out wrong genre overlap)\n\nROAS target:\n\n- 1.5x+ for new authors (you're paying for visibility, accept lower)\n- 2x+ for established authors (real positive ROI)\n\n## Series Strategy (Critical for Romance, Fantasy, Thriller)\n\nSeries sell each other. Strategy:\n\n- Book 1 priced low or free (acquisition)\n- Books 2–3 at full price (conversion)\n- Book 1 has cliffhanger or strong series setup\n- \"Read more in this series\" front matter\n- Box set after 3+ books to capture binge-readers\n\nIf writing a series, plan all titles up front. Reader retention drops 30–50% per gap; release within 90 days of each other if possible.\n\n## Audiobook (Optional, Lucrative)\n\nAudio is the fastest-growing format. Two paths:\n\n1. **ACX (Amazon-owned):** royalty share with narrator (50/50) or pay-for-performance ($200–400/finished hour). Exclusive to Audible.\n2. **Findaway Voices:** wide distribution including Audible. Pay narrator upfront.\n\n**When to audiobook:**\n\n- Book sales >100/mo (proven appetite)\n- Genre is audio-friendly (romance, thriller, business non-fiction); literary is harder\n- You can find a narrator who fits your voice / characters\n\nCost to produce: $1,500–4,000 per book. Earns out over 12–24 months.\n\n## Common Diagnoses\n\n### \"Book launched, sales died after week 2\"\n\n- No author platform (relied on launch buzz)\n- Ads not converting (or never set up)\n- Reviews <20 (Amazon doesn't push)\n- Genre mismatch with cover/blurb (high clicks, no sales)\n\nFix: build/grow newsletter; set up Amazon ads with $20/day learning; chase another 30 reviews via ARC re-engagement.\n\n### \"Book has 50 reviews, sales flat\"\n\n- Cover or blurb issues (browse but don't buy)\n- Wrong sub-category\n- Price too high or too low\n- No series follow-up\n\nFix: A/B test new cover; rewrite blurb; lower price for promo cycle; if non-series, plan next book in same niche.\n\n### \"Pre-launch list at 70 subs\"\n\n- Lead magnet not compelling\n- Content not aligned with book\n- Promotion of newsletter sign-up too soft\n\nFix: build a stronger lead magnet specific to the book's promise; promote via guest posts, Reddit AMAs, podcast appearances; cross-promote with other authors.\n\n## Output Format\n\nThe coach returns:\n\n1. **Path recommendation** — self-pub / trad / hybrid + reasoning\n2. **Validation plan** — for the concept, before writing more\n3. **Editing stack budget** — minimum + recommended\n4. **Cover brief** — what to give the designer\n5. **Blurb draft** — first version, paste-ready\n6. **Launch calendar** — 8 weeks of dated actions\n7. **Ad strategy** — first $500 spent\n8. **12-month vision** — what should year 1 look like\n","tags":{"latest":"1.0.0"},"stats":{"comments":0,"downloads":344,"installsAllTime":13,"installsCurrent":0,"stars":0,"versions":1},"createdAt":1777679321079,"updatedAt":1778492826217},"latestVersion":{"version":"1.0.0","createdAt":1777679321079,"changelog":"Initial release — comprehensive book launch coaching skill for authors.\n\n- Guides authors through every stage: concept validation, outlining, writing schedules, editing, cover/blurb creation, KDP setup, ads, newsletter, and launch/relaunch tactics.\n- Covers both self-publishing and traditional/hybrid publishing paths, with updated advice for the 2026 landscape (including KU, wide, audiobook, and IngramSpark).\n- Offers tailored strategies for fiction and non-fiction, debut and experienced authors.\n- Includes actionable checklists, cost guidelines, red flags, and specific platform tips (Amazon KDP, ACX, Findaway, BookBub, more).\n- Designed to trigger on a wide range of publishing and book launch queries.","license":"MIT-0"},"metadata":null,"owner":{"handle":"charlie-morrison","userId":"s17cttbdxry5kkyafjw983mq8s83p4y3","displayName":"charlie-morrison","image":"https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/271589886?v=4"},"moderation":null}