Going All In at my Launch

I recently had a fabulous launch party to introduce and celebrate my book I'm All In. This is in fact the very first book that I have ever published, I knew this day would come but to be honest many years ago I did not think that it'll be a poetry book of mine as I anticipated releasing fiction and nonfiction novels that I would adapt into screenplays, at least for my first two books anyway. Evidently things change, in this case for the better.

I'm All In was an unforeseen collection (even for me) of my sweet and sexy poems but I am overjoyed that my plan adapted to this change and that I just went for it. The feedback so far has been fantastic and has nicely confirmed that I made the right decision.

The launch was really a listening party to a selective intimate audience, with plenty cocktails (plus my bottle of bubbly) including my signature ones to reflect the book which the Bartenders executed brilliantly. I prepared lovely gift bags that my guests appreciated with exclusive copies of the book and I had the perfect featured act named Tizzy with her Guitarist performing original, acoustic, soulful music. There was much to enjoy, to take advantage of and be grateful for as my guests were so happy, full of smiles, laughter and encouragement. They all ran through the book which I thought they'll save till they got home but I was happy to see them flick through it in front of me out of eagerness and curiosity. I let them make requests of what to perform in the second half and they surely gave it to me.

My team did everything they needed to do and more, everyone including the venue staff and some of my guests were all very helpful. I still rocked the hell out of my dress despite that my new one did not arrive, my performances adequately conveyed every poem the way that it was intended, the event and memorable moment in time was recorded for me to look back on and appreciate more in the future. People liked my playlist so much that I kept being asked to make a CD copy for them. My Alice in Wonderland theme was identified for the most part and everyone stuck to my dress code (your obliging participation did not go unnoticed!). My well thought out signature cocktails did not go unnoticed either, all was praised and tasted delicious.

I made sales! I sold both books and greeting cards! People loved my artwork of the book cover and the overall product which is the bottom line so none of my self-publishing efforts went to waste. I booked appearances out of it, pleased my readers so far, even more so my family were and are extremely proud of me. The best thing of the night is how proud people kept telling me that they were of me, to my face as well as to the camera and that is absolutely priceless. My word, that gets me all sentimental.

My audience was beautiful, including the venue staff who I noticed listening intently as they seemed to have liked what they heard so I gave them a copy of the book also. Although, I was so side tracked with my perfectionist Event Planner thoughts, I am just so very pleased and grateful that I had such a wonderful audience, everyone came full of support, love and excitement for me and what I was doing.

From what I was told I believe the favourite poems of the night were All to Myself, Love You Like Cooked Food, For Whatever Was Misunderstood and To the One That I Love the Most...Me (that's more of a therapeutic poem than a narcissistic one, you have to read to fully understand).

Next time I'll make sure to stick to my news year's resolution and smile more. Which I was doing so well with up till that week however, it is understandable considering the stress that comes with event planning, releasing a new product by yourself while tackling the issues of everyday life. Whether you're the Event Planner or the Host you're most likely going to be anxious than happy-smiley but you have to remember to enjoy the moment and have fun especially if it's your day.

All the business side of things is just headache. Like I said in my poem Thing on the Side as featured in the book, "I have a lot of headache in my life, so be my aspirin, my ibuprofen..." Will you be my aspirin? I'm addressing single, tall and nice men only with that question lol. I don't even take aspirin but a tall glass of water will do, wink wink.

Thank-you again to everyone that came out to support, endorse, enjoy and generally celebrate my book debut with me. It means than you know. And to those who could not attend but let me know in advance and still contacted me to send your sincere 'Congrats,' that means a lot to me also. I always remember those who have contributed positively to a project of mine in some way or another.

I will be doing promotion events throughout the year so look out for those. For when you read the book be sure to give your testimony and reviews on my blog or Facebook page or just tweet me.

BUY THE BOOK #ImAllin