• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

HollyRobinson

Writer & Red Dirt Rambler

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • My Books
    • Haven Lake
    • Chance Harbor
    • The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter
    • Sleeping Tigers
    • The Wishing Hill
    • Beach Plum Island
    • Folly Cove
  • Ghostwriting

birth

The 10 Worst Things You Can Say to a Writer During a Book Launch

Posted on 04.01.14 | Holly Robinson | 4 Comments

bumblebee-17944459

Remember “Romper Room,” that classic children’s TV show? There was this giant bee that would come on, cautioning kids to mind their manners and be a “Good Do Bee.”

This week I feel like that giant bumblebee is sitting on my shoulder while I launch my new novel, BEACH PLUM ISLAND. I’m doing everything a Good Do Bee should: social media, radio interviews, library and bookstore readings, even TV. I’m also trying not to play the Don’t Bee by avoiding the constant temptation to Google my Amazon numbers. The song playing in my head goes like this: “Do bee a book tweeter! Don’t bee a review reader!”

I’m lucky to have such wonderful friends and a supportive husband who have been propping me up and hauling me off the ledge during this head-spinning time. Those of us who are writers, or friends of writers, know that writing a book is a lot like the first weeks of motherhood, where you’re binge eating, weeping, laughing hysterically, and want to sleep but can’t. You admire your little miracle but are terrified to take it anywhere; you mostly want to hole up alone in the house, but there are all of those darn doctor’s visits and people dropping in unexpectedly. Some people say things that help you get through the day, but others make you cry all over again.

For anyone who knows a writer launching a book, therefore, I have compiled a list of things NOT to say if you want to avoid provoking a tearful outburst:

1. “You’ve got a book coming out? Congratulations! I sure wish I had time to read.”

2. “So you’re publishing a book, huh? Good to know. I could use your help. My book’s only halfway done, but I’ve already got over a thousand pages.”

3. “I’ve heard that bad reviews are better than no reviews at all.”

4. “Where’s your publisher sending you on tour? That must be so cool to ride in a limo.”

5. “I’d never have the free time to write a book.”

6. “Hey, now that you’ve published a book, can you give me a blurb for mine?”

7. “I’m surprised the publishing industry hasn’t gone under. You know, with video games and NetFlix. Oh, and did you hear they’re closing that bookstore downtown?”

8. “I’ll have to look for your book on Amazon. It’s amazing how many books I’ve downloaded for free on my Kindle.”

9. “I’ve heard that to make money writing, you really should try erotica.”

10. “When’s the movie coming out?”

sidebar

Blog Sidebar

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Follow me on BookBub

<span>Follow me on BookBub</span>

Click here to read my recent articles and essays

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Bio
  • Ghostwriting
  • My Books
    • Folly Cove
    • Chance Harbor
    • Haven Lake
    • Beach Plum Island
    • The Wishing Hill
    • Sleeping Tigers
    • The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter
  • Articles & Essays
    • Essays
    • Articles and Essays
      • Interviews
  • Events
  • Non-Fiction
    • Essays
    • Articles and Essays
      • Interviews
Holly Robinson

What’s New on the Blog

Holly in her thirties writing on PEI

Is Making Bad Art Worth the Effort?

A friend recently sent me an old photo she took of me writing. It’s a startling picture, and not just because of my 1990s Big Hair or the typewriter with reams of computer paper spitting out of it. No, what’s shocking to me is how oblivious I am in this picture to everything beyond the Read More

running on Bothwell with dogs

Can We Ever Be Completely Happy?

I was driving through Boston recently when I stopped at a light. Next to me was a rust bucket of a car. The driver had long hair, a sleeve tattoo, and a sharp profile that said, “Don’t mess with me.” Clearly a guy with a hard life and an even harder past. Yet, in the Read More

20230507 094648

Why Stay Married When You’re Living Apart?

I’m unloading the dishwasher when my husband comes up behind me. “You’re making chaos out of my stemless glassware,” he says. “What are you talking about?” He rearranges the glasses I’ve just put on the shelf. There are only six of them, so it doesn’t take long. When he’s finished, there are two of each Read More

mammoWipe

MammoWipes and Other Medical Indignities

Why do pets get red carpet medical care, while humans are treated like livestock?

HollyBlaise

The Imperfect Mother

As we creep toward Mother’s Day, that Hallmark Holiday of flowers and chocolates and too many regrets, here is the most important thing for all of you moms out there to remember: Mothering is an imperfect art. No matter how hard you try, you will never get it right 100 percent of the time. Just Read More

20230505 141526

Winning at Hawaii Bingo

Let me just say this right up front: I never had any particular desire to go to Hawaii. For one thing, I’m more of a hiker than a beach lounger. I don’t like rum or boating or sunning or surfing, and men in Hawaiian shirts make my teeth hurt. Then my dear friend Toby Neal—a Read More

TwitterFacebookLinkedin

Copyright © 2020 Holly Robinson

Website by Bakerview Consulting