Did you feel that? The vibration, the way everythingās sorta jiggling around the edges? At first I thought I was having some kind of drug flashback (Hi Mom), but then I realized whatās behind it: Anticipation. Huge, ridiculous, nearly unbearable anticipation.*
Three weeks from todayĀ Parents Need to Eat Too, the cookbook that represents the last 2+ years of my life, finally goes on sale. Finished copies arrived last week, and are now making their way across the country. To bide us over until then, Iāve got a little present for you.
Many of you have been reading along since before I ever thought of writing a book. Some, I imagine, pre-date Harry (again, Hi Mom). But regardless of when you got here, Iām glad you did. Thrilled. Tickled pink. And if you have even for a moment considered pre-ordering Parents Need to Eat Too, read on.
Before the holidays, many of you took advantage of my special offer of a free bookplate and holiday card. It made for a pretty package under the tree (or beside the menorah). But if you ordered the book for yourself, it didnāt give you all that much. Time to fix that.
As a little incentiveāand a thank-youāHarperCollins and I have put together a suh-weet Parents Need to Eat Too Digital Starter Kit, which weāll send to anyone who provides proof of a pre-order. Yes, even the lovely folks who already received bookplates! It gives you a sneak peek at some of the bookās contents, as well as exclusive bonus material thatās not in the book.
Thatās right.
Extra stuff.
Not in the book.
Free.
Check itāyouāll get:
- Bonus Recipes: An e-booklet of additional recipes that arenāt in the book, for an extra One-Handed Meal, Quick Supper, and more
- Make Baby Food: A handy guide to transforming any grown-up recipe into food for the weeāun
- The New Parentās Pantry: The essential ingredients for easy, healthy meals
- Countdown to Baby: A food-focused timeline for the third trimester
- Solid Feeding Guidelines Chart
- Sample Day Chart
- Bookmark: Perfect for noting which recipes youāand babyālike best
- Gift Card: Print it out on card stock, and your baby shower gift is ready!
Now, I realize Iām patting myself on the back here (just a bit), but I think thatās quite an impressive kit. And did I mention itās FREE?
Send the receipt for your pre-order to debbie [at] debbiekoenig.com. My publisher tells me the kits will start emailing out no later than Friday, Feb 10.
Warning: Iām about to beg.
If you know anyone whoās written a book, youāve no doubt heard how crucial pre-orders are these days. Thatās because the booksellers themselves are paying attention, of courseāand if they see that a book is getting a significant number of pre-orders, they perk up.
Even more important is the cumulative effect: All those pre-orders that kind folks have placed over the last few months will ship in the first week. So if there are (dream big) 1000 orders from the five or six months before it goes on sale, all those sales are officially counted at once, in the first week. And reported to various bestseller lists. You see where Iām going here, right?
Now, Iām not saying I think I have a shot at bestsellerdom (again, dream big), but velocity out the door has a tendency to snowball. Extra discounts can kick in. Front of store displays. Things that only encourage more sales.
I realize Iām getting kinda technical on youāthatās my 15 years as a book marketing dork speaking. So Iāll shut up now.
Have I convinced you? My knees are pretty achy from all the groveling, so in addition to a big, fat, wet kiss, Iāll end with this handy-dandy set of links to online retailers:
Choose your bookseller:
AmazonĀ |Ā Barnes & NobleĀ |Ā Indiebound
* And possibly, the stripes in that image. Do they make you dizzy?
So excited to hear about this! I pre-ordered the book as a gift for my sister who had a baby in December, but now that I found out that I’m expecting #2, I think I’ll keep the freebie for myself! š
I have now pre-ordered copies for both my sisters-in-law (one with a new baby and one with expecting her second baby in less than 2 years) and for my sister, who doesn’t have kids yet, but loves to cook and read cookbooks!
THANK YOU BOTH, so much!!! This flogging-your-book business is exhausting š
Did you know your book is only like $10 at Barnes & Noble? I was afraid it would eat up my whole Christmas giftcard, but at that price, I can get another book too-or buy a second copy as a gift for my sister-in-law! I’ll e-mail after I order (my husband and I are trying to use our B&N giftcards the same time to get free shipping because we are cheap like that. lol)
I knew it was $11 at Amazon, but I didn’t realize it was even less at B&N! That’s a BARGAIN, my friend!
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I don’t think my comments posted the first time so I’ll try again…
Am I too late for the offer? I just realized I can pre-order the book for my Kindle. I’m assuming that counts.
Hi Bess, I emailed you but just in case… It’s not too late! This’ll be available right up until the on-sale date (2/21). Just email me your receipt & I’ll send it your way. Thanks!
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If I buy a digital copy for my Kindle, will I still be able to get the free digital starter kit?
Yes, Emily, e-book orders are fine!
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