The Launch of a Book

By Del Duduit

Today is the day.

The launch of Michigan Motivations: A Year of Inspiration with the University of Michigan Wolverines from Indiana University Press.

My agent and co-author Cyle Young teamed up for this nifty little inspirational book. Cyle has a unique perspective because he played at Michigan. He adds unique insight, and I think we made a good team.

I never imagined I would do anything to bring honor and glory to “That Team Up North.” After all, I am a Buckeye through and through and raised to never root for the Maize and Blue.

But here it is.

And to tell you the truth ….. I like the way it turned out. But that’s our secret.

The launch of a book.

What does that mean?

Do I heave it into the air? Do I set it up like a slingshot, and send it sailing through the backyard? (I know what some of my Ohio State friends will do with it.)

A launch?

Most people think of a launch in terms of the space shuttle or a rocket heading into outer space.

When I took the family to Florida in 2001, we witnessed the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as we watched from the Banana River.

The 5 a.m. launch lit up the dark morning sky like it was noon on a sunny day.

But in the publishing world, a launch means the day the book sees the light of day. It’s officially out. It’s a day authors plan for months and set up parties and book signings.

It means today is the debut. It’s the day the product hits the stores and is available for purchase. And no, this is not a cheap ploy for my followers to buy it (although appreciated.)

A launch is an original adventure. A new beginning.

A day that has no past, and only a future.

No one judges it or holds grudges.

I remember what Clint Hurdle, my friend and former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, once told me. His team had been thumped the night before, but he showed up the next morning to help me at a book signing. “It’s a new day,” he told me.

That’s what a book launch means. It’s a birthday. A time to celebrate. All that hard work on writing and editing is out there for everyone to see.

Originally, the launch was selected a few months before the college football season. It’s the perfect time of the year – except for the pandemic. That might cause a small problem since many of the bookstores are closed.

This is the day, and we can’t change it or the circumstances. We don’t have a choice.

But you do.

You can make the decision to launch your life in the right direction.

There doesn’t need to be any fanfare or autograph sessions or parties.

The power to have a fresh start lies within you and between you and God.

Your publisher or agent has no say.

The timing is yours to set.

 

You can have a successful launch and make things new again. A fresh start.

All you need is the desire to seek forgiveness and the willingness to allow the Lord to lead you through life and turn the pages of your story.

But don’t take my word for it.

Here are some verses that validate what I said, but with a little more clout.

• And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Revelation 21: 5)

A successful launch.

• Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

A successful launch.

• Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6: 4)

Another successful launch.

You might think your work will never be published or that your life is not worth living.

These are lies from the devil.

When you reach this point, reach down and plan for the launch of your new life – one that will be blessed by God. It might not be a bestseller, but it will be a masterpiece in His eyes.

God is your agent, editor and publisher, and His launch parties are always the best.

And by the way, you can order Michigan Motivations here.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

 

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