Shall I Elope, Or Do The Big Event Thing?


I'm serious. The provisional date for my book launch is the 21st of March, and I just realised that's only five sleeps away! What in the? So now I have to decide whether the provisional date becomes The Date, or whether I pick a date in a couple of weeks and make a big 'do' out of it.

It's not a question of commitment. I'm absolutely committed to my book. We've lived together since 2007, for goodness' sake. We've had rows, of course we have. What writer and Novel-To-Be don't have rows, late at night, over a split infinitive? Exactly! We're both on the same page. Well ... it is on several pages, but I've been on each of them, so that gives me the right to an opinion. My opinion is that the time to tie the knot is finally upon us, but we need to choose whether to glam it up, or elope. 

At the moment, I'm eloping. I planned to sneak this book out under the radar. Only those in the know would - well - know. Now I'm wondering, as many an eloping bride must, whether I'm cheating people out of an event, if I scurry off into the sunset with my book, without so much as a slice of cake, a tearful bridesmaid, or a thrown bouquet. Am I? 

Blushing regards,

22 comments:

LM Preston said...

I eloped and only had dated my DH of 18yrs for 3 months (but we were friends for 9 yrs). Saved us a ton and I never regretted it. We had a formal reception with me in a rented dress and exchanged vows we made up for each other. Cost us about $2000 for it all (mostly the food).

Rebecca Woodhead said...

That's great, but I'm talking about a book. Did you read the post? :)

Anonymous said...

The first one should be a big event, but don't look at me; I eloped with my e-book, and we'd been together since 2004. You could elope with the subsequent books, unless they're the jealous type that whine because you obviously loved the first one more than you do them.

critter said...

Personally, I'd do the elope thing.
In 5 years do a rather big party (if you want).

Elpi said...

I'll start by saying I'm not really qualified to give you advice. You see, my book and I, are on a trial separation. We needed some distance.

But if I was where you are now?

Rebecca, you've waited a long time for this moment. Why sneak the book out when you should be screaming about it from the rooftops? I vote for event but do what you think is best for you.

Whatever you decide to do, you will get lots of support.

Good luck

patti bright said...

Rebecca, it has to be a big event. This is momentous. Your big moment. You must have worked so hard. It's got to be fireworks and ticker tape. I would do that, if it was me. Besides which all your supporters want to help you celebrate.

Unknown said...

I would say Elope... THEN have a massive after party to which EVERYONE is invited!!! We can all congratulate you on the happy event and offer gifts in the form of promoting your book via our Blogs, Twittery things and all manner of Social Networking portals.

Why wait any longer than you need to - you've made your decision, and time really is money in this game!!

All that said, I'm sure you and your hunk of a novel will make the right decision FOR YOU...

Best of Luck

MoJo x

Rebecca Woodhead said...

Oh dear. I'm even more confused. Facebook says 'elope'. You and Twitter say 'big event.' Call in reinforcements! I'll do a head count here, and make a decision.

Thank you for helping me so much. 'Most important day ...' and all that!

Anonymous said...

Elope, its your book and your hard work, so only do it when you are good and ready.

Anonymous said...

This isn't a wordpress.org blog, but a blogger blog, so logging in with wordpress.org isn't going to happen. wordpress.com, google, blogger, livejournal, typepad, openid and AIM work fine. I'll enable anonymous posting too for this post and I NEED your feedback!

Rebecca Woodhead said...

Right, I've enabled anon posting too, so just a name and a url will be fine. :)

Tammy Matthews said...

Rebecca, you have worked a long time for this day. Don't stand off in the corner and watch it go by. It's time to experience a big launch and love every minute of it.

It's kind of like having a baby. For months and months it grows inside you as you nurish it (writing). Then comes the day of birth (printing). You're so proud and you and everyone around you, even people you'll meet when you are out of the house will want to sneak a peak (big launch)! I hope this helps.

No matter what you choose, it's going to be an amazing adventure!

Rebecca Woodhead said...

Tammy, thanks. Many writers view books this way, and having a book-baby is fraught with both worry and celebration. This is an ebook launch though, so there will be no printing. :)

patti bright said...

Re your twitter post. Why should you put it off for a few weeks? What's the reason? I know we're not talking weddings here but I was at wedding fayre the other week and this girl was trying on dresses and her mother said she was sad that she, herself, didn't have a really big wedding day. She just sneaked off to a register office. She said she always regretted it. It's kind of like your book launch. It's your call as to how you do it but don't look back and think I wished I'd launched it with a big bang.

Rebecca Woodhead said...

Patti,

Eek. That does ring true. It's been a huge journey, and it would be fab to celebrate this properly.

I don't want to leave it much longer, though, because it's absolutely the right time for this book. With some of the things people are facing at the moment, I can see it speaking to a lot of people. I've also been told it's pretty hilarious in parts, and I think people could use a chuckle at the moment.

I have a few celebratory ideas up my sleeve, and putting them all in motion in only 4 days seems a bit of a tall order.

21st March was just a kind of date to work towards, and I'm amazed to be pretty much ready to launch then, so maybe I could extend that a bit.

Writing Magazine hits the shops on 6th of each month. I could give myself until the 6th of April, and launch the day the magazine hits the shelves. I think it goes to subscribers on the 3rd, but that's a Sunday this month, so it'll either be with them on the 5th of April, or the 31st of March. I could make it a 'launch week' from the 31st of March until the 6th of April, and let the date it arrives be a surprise. Or ... I could leave it until the 29th of April - Royal Wedding! :o)

Maybe April is the best month to launch a book that starts with a wedding anniversary, given the significance of this April.

This is all off the top of my head, so it may be daft, but it feels like a plan. What does everyone think? Give me thoughts to play with!

patti bright said...

That's a good idea. I like the idea of a launch week and the tie in with Writing Magazine. It also gives you a few extra days to sort it out. You've got to do it properly and, as you say, it's been a huge journey so why not celebrate it? April is a lovely month. I think you have a plan:)

Rebecca Woodhead said...

M'kay. I let the plan mull, and it is taking the following kind of shape:

Launch week ... Maybe 31st March to 6th April works. If it's out before 3rd April, mums on this side of the Atlantic will be happy (heads up ... Mothering Sunday is the 3rd of April), but I'm thinking some time that week would be best, either way.

Now, I've got time to put together some fun stuff! :)

Sandra Leigh said...

Hmmmph. Now that I've read the comments here, I've almost undergone a conversion from Elopement to Event. It's true, you've worked long and hard, and you deserve a celebration -- but it's also true, I'm sure, that you could put together a coronation over the weekend if you set your mind to it, so your compromise makes sense to me -- a little more time to plan the party, but no long delay, because some of us are impatient. How's that?

Rebecca Woodhead said...

Sandra, I was so worried you wouldn't agree! You're amazing. Thank you for all your support. xxx

Mel H said...

Well it sounds like the decision has been made, but I definitely think big celebration, my book is barely a twinkle in my eye so am just guessing what it must feel like and can understand the excitement and trepidation but I think it would be a real shame not to mark this huge event properly.
Mind you, I often celebrate the fact that it is friday so perhaps not the most unbiased opinion on offer!

Angie Ledbetter said...

I'd make a pros and cons list and go with the winner. Now...tell us what you've decided and at least post a link?! hugs

Rebecca Woodhead said...

Hi Angie. Event!

Link goes up in Launch Week: 31st March - 6th April If you go to the home page - http://rebeccawoodhead.com - and look at the flippy pictures at the top, I put an announcement up. :)

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