Before a party some people worry that no one will come–or so I’ve been told. Personally, I’ve always been too busy worrying about the menu, and about cleaning the house, having the right dishes and cooking implements, arranging enough seating for everyone, and choosing a tablecloth and napkins.
In fact, in the past, I’d never had a problem with guests who stayed away. On the other hand, I’ve been disappointed with meals that could have tasted better; I’ve prepared too much of some dishes and too little of others; and, of course, I had a problem with my first turkey dinner. (Who knew a turkey would take so long to thaw?)
All that was before COVID and virtual parties. It was before it became possible to lock all your guests out and not even know it?
Well … that’s exactly what happened last week at the Facebook Live Launch Party for my novel, When in Vanuatu. It was as though the guests, many of whom had RSVPed , were at the gate, knocking and ringing a disconnected bell. To complicate things, on Facebook Live, the guests are off stage. At least that’s where we thought they were when we started. D introduced me, I read from my book, MK asked me some questions, and D showed some slides from the Philippines and Vanuatu. After 30 or 40 minutes, I started wondering why no one was commenting or asking questions. Strange, I thought. Well … I guess some of them would have had a comment or two if they could have entered the event.
Maybe next time I publish a book, I can have a real party with real food and real people walking around the same room, talking, shaking hands, and hugging. I’m already thinking what I might serve. A plate of salmon (lox or smoked) and cold cuts and cheese. A basket of crackers. Fruit–grapes, strawberries, and pineapple chunks. A cake. Or should it be cookies?
And then there’s the question of drinks. Punch maybe. And wine. Coffee and tea to go with the cake or cookies.
But first I have to write another book. And before that, I have to sell this one.
You can buy it at your favorite independent bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.
Tell your friends. Write a review. Suggest it to your book club. Any of those things would help me out a lot. Thank you.
P.S. If you would like to watch the video of my book launch, you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/EdmondsBookshop/posts/10157590044396090
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Have you ever had a party failure?
Ouch! That hurts. Good for you for even attempting to use a Facebook live. I have no idea what it is or how to use it. I give you a lot of credit and I look forward to reading your book. ❤️
We’re so close to being able to have large, live events. It will be nice to be together with crowds of people and not have to rely on technology we don’t understand.
I look forward to hearing what you think of my book.
Hey Nicki,
I’m glad you recorded it and shared the link. Often I can’t participate in events happening in the US due to the time differences, but that being said, good for you for trying something different.
As a teacher I’ve learned to always have a backup when it comes to technology. I think that’s why I hate PP presentations. 😛
Just so you know, I wanted to buy your book on your birthday but then I remembered my cc payment is due on that day! And since I have already paid it, I didn’t want to add another purchase so I share all of this to say, I haven’t forgotten. I will buy your book!
xo
I remember in grade school that the teachers always chose a student AV “expert” (or whatever they called him or her) to be in charge of setting up and showing the films and film strips. They seldom had backups, though, and when things went wrong, the kids chose their own kind of fun.
No matter when you read my book, I do hope you’ll like it.
Nicki,
I watched the replay of the interview and am excited for you. Although it must have been disappointing to not have participants at the time of the event, it is a very interesting conversation despite the techncal glitches. Definitely share the link to it every time you can! I particpate in international FB lives every single day that are coupled with a Zoom link as well as translators and there is rarely a glitch — if ever! Remember the content of the interview is much more valuable than the minor mishaps of technology. I’m excited to read your book and share it with my network as well. Congratulations!
Regina, I like your reminder to share the link. I haven’t really done so. Thank you for your generosity in offering to share the book with your network. The people you know would never know about the book without hearing from you. A recommendation from a trusted source is invaluable.
I’m afraid I can’t add to your sales, Nicki – it is more than ten years ago that I stopped buying because I will never have enough time left to read those I have. I do wish you well with it though.
That’s amazing, Derrick. You must have bought a large number of books at one point. I have a weakness for newly published books, so I don’t allow myself to buy a new book until I’ve finished all but one, maybe two, books.
Thank you for your good wishes.
I’m coming for the wine and salmon, and we’ll practically be neighbors by then unless you write a whole lot faster than I do! Anyway, I’m so sorry that happened to you! I was there at the virtual door and wondering what had gone wrong. Later I watched and enjoyed your interview, so all’s well that ends well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you in person. I’m definitely not a fast writer.
I’m glad you liked the interview. After a year of staying home alone, I’m not used to talking. I feel like a stumble over my words.
Cookies.
And I’m sorry FB Live was such a bust. I’ve been able to access some live events (usually politicians’) on FB and Instagram, but not always.
Maybe we were planning for something with too many moving parts. We used both Facebook Live and Zoom since we were in three different locations. Although it had worked before for the bookshop, this time D thought the problem was with a recent Zoom update.
It looks like cookies are the big winner.
Well, I contacted the bookstore to ask what happened and they steered me to the site where I could watch. You might want to let the other frustrated watchers know. It was some glitch that they corrected. The interview was great and I’m enjoying your book.
Thank you, Judith. And thank you for reminding me that the book launch was recorded. It can be found on Edmonds Bookshop’s page or by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/EdmondsBookshop/posts/10157590044396090
Nicki, congratulations on your latest release!! 😀 Launch parties are tricky at the best of times and to do a virtual one must feel surreal. I feel for you with the FB live problem … I’m not on it nor have taken part in many events of this kind so not sure what went wrong for you.
Is there a chance of having a real-life later launch party in a little bit when things are better?
I’m very interested in your book and do hope to read it sometime. Wishing lots of interest in ‘When in Vanuatu’ and hope you can have a little relaxation for now!
Annika xx
Thank you, Annika. It seems that Facebook Live wasn’t the problem. D. thinks it had something to do with a Zoom update. We were using both Facebook Live and Zoom because the three of us were at different locations. That had worked beautifully for the bookshop in the past, but that was before the Zoom update.
I don’t know about having a real-life party later. As vaccinations continue, COVID is becoming less prevalent, but we still have a lot of vaccine hesitancy here. We’ll see.
Oh Nicki, I’m really sorry. I have a Facebook account, but I am hardly ever on it. Facebook rarely sends emails to me so I never got an invitation to the book launch. If you decide to do another event, I’d love to come and celebrate you!
Thank you, L. Marie. I’ll be sure to let you know if I come up with another event.
Aww, Nicki. That’s a shame . . . for you AND for the wanna-be attendees. Maybe you can do another event for THIS book? A book signing with Treats from Vanatu?
Best of luck!
That’s a good idea, Nancy–a book signing with lots of papaya cut in cubes and sprinkled with lime.
Nicki, so sorry about this. I’d be happy to feature your book on my blog and also post some reviews.
Jocelyn, thank you so much. I’d be honored to be featured on your blog.
I’m not familiar with Facebook live. That must have been disappointing. I vote for brownies!
Brownies are good. I’ll keep that in mind.
I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m not on FB. I don’t know anything about Facebook Live. Seems like anything associated with that company brings more pain than joy. As for your question : “Or should it be cookies?” Definitely cookies, always.
Facebook has been big in the news this week for its oversight board deciding to continue suspending Trump for another six months. Like Amazon, it has become a huge monopoly. We love to hate it, and yet, many of us find it useful. Sob.
You’re probably right about cookies. Birthday cakes are nice, but sheet cakes are usually boring.