The Bookseller - Comment - Failure to launch

Like many authors, before signing my first publication deal I'd had a fixed idea of what being published meant.

And it all started off with an impressive launch - glitzy, glamorous, attended by the masses. Admittedly, my ideas were influenced at least in part by Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City" whose launch event brought together the great and the good from NYC, decked out in finery and gushing at her fabulousness.

Since those innocent times, I've realised this is far from the case. While prospective big hitters, lead titles and household names may still have publisher-funded launch events, the majority of authors have small gatherings - often self-funded - or opt out altogether.