What to do when you get Brightstar

Thank you again for joining the Brightstar Book Launch Team. (Genuinely and fervently. Thank you.) There are currently only a few of us, and that’s what this post is about.

The First Hundred

The first goal for the book launch team is to reach 100 members. Over the next two to three weeks, I’ll be messaging, calling or sending smoke signals to basically every human being I’ve ever met to try to get them to join us.


The minimum number of team members for an effective book launch is 100, and I fully intend to reach that goal by the end of the year.

What to do when Brightstar arrives

I have two immediate requests.

First: Your book is on the way, make receiving it a BIG DEAL!

In the publicity business, you have to capitalize on everything that’s *genuine* news. Getting a copy of Brightstar in the mail is real news. Make a point of taking a photo and throw it up on social media (along with a few words of reaction.)


For me personally, the texture was genuinely cool. I LIKE the matte feel of the book cover. Whatever strikes you is a great topic.


Make sure you post again when you finish reading it as well. (Bonus points if you find something you actually really love about the book while you’re in the middle of it and put up a post then too.)

Second: Try to think of a friend who might join us.

As you read, keep in mind any friends you have who might really enjoy the story to join the book launch team. If you can think of one, approach them and ask specifically, personally, if they’d be willing to help out.


As of writing this post, there are exactly six of us. Every single person we can recruit counts.

Why: A brief explanation on the value of repetition

Over the next few months, I’m going to ask you to post to your own social media about Brightstar at least three or four times as I have genuine news to share. (Example: when I release the short story “Keeper of the Light” to the public.


If you’re me, making multiple posts–bugging people over and over–is a really uncomfortable thing to do. I HATE bothering people with my “noise.” …But it works.


Generally, people have to see something at least three to four times before they’re willing to engage with it (unless they have a close, personal connection with the person asking them to do it.) Even then, we forget or don’t get to it… or life is in the way or… the kids just made a mess.


We’re all busy.


Point is, people need to see something three or four times before it matters. If the repetition makes you uncomfortable, blame it on me. Say, “As part of the book launch team for Brightstar, I’m posting about…”


Remember, three or four times is usually a minimum. If you’re one of the first group to be reading this, that makes your willingness to help extra special.


Thank you!