I am thirty days away from my official book launch and here's an update:
"Lessons from the Admiral Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders" is already an Amazon New Release Bestseller based on preorders alone. So far, I have nearly 250 Amazon preorders that will be released on January 28, 2025.
To put that in perspective, most new author nonfiction books sell only about 100 books during the book's lifetime.
I had 220 books in 5 boxes sent to me as my pre-release personal copies. Of those, I have given away and sold 148 leaving me with only 72. Half I have gifted to special friends and my family and those mentioned in my Acknowledgements. The other half have been sold directly by me as pre-release autographed copies as I have accepted payments by Venmo, Zelle, Square, and personal checks.
My initial print was for 1500 books. I ended up purchasing 34 extras as printer overruns. So, I started with 1,534. Right before Christmas, I had 1,190 copies in the publisher's warehouse. Some are on order and pre-positioned for being placed in stores as my books are being sourced and distributed by Ingram, the nation's largest book distributor.
I have visited at least 20 bookstores in person asking if they will carry my book on their shelves. We'll see. . . but the UNC Chapel Hill Student Store said it would order 5. How neat is that!
The hardback is available for preorder on Amazon at a discounted price of $22.44 here (regular retail price is $24.95) and also online at all major bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
The Kindle version is now also available for pre-order at a great deal price of $9.99 on Amazon.
I finished recording the audiobook after 6 two-hour sessions. My audiobook producer was in the UK and did a phenomenal job. The audiobook will also be available on my release day of January 28th.
For those who pre-ordered on Amazon and let me know via my Connect form on my book website at www.markcfava.com, I mailed 99 signed and personalized bookplates to them. Each envelope included a handwritten thank you note.
I will be on live local TV the morning of my launch - Palmetto Life on News Channel 5.
I was featured in our local newspaper in a great article by Ralph Mancini entitled “Walk like an Admiral, Author shares lessons learned in the Navy.” You can read it here.
The day after my online release, on January 29th, I will have my official launch at the historic Charleston Library Society in downtown Charleston in conjunction with Charleston's premier independent bookstore, Buxton Books.
On Thursday, January 30th, I will be the keynote speaker at The Harbour Club's Business Expo.
I have recorded 10 podcasts covering leadership, business, military, and lawyer audiences. The first one came out on December 28. It's a popular podcast called Everyday MBA with talented host Kevin Craine. You can hear it here. Let me know what you think. I have 4 more scheduled in the next 3 weeks.
I am working with a New York publicist (Did you say New York City?) who has helped line up the podcasts, and I have 3 new writing assignments as a guest on blogs and magazines to complete.
Thank you for all who have helped me get to where I am today. This has been two years in the making and more than 30 years in my head.
If you have not pre-ordered yet, please do so now. The book is a quick and entertaining read that makes for a fine and attractive gift.
I'm lining up speaking engagements for next year where I can talk about leadership and feature the content of the book. I already have one conference booked that is asking for about 300 books - one for each of its attendees! Looking for more!
Happy New Year. Thank you very much and counting the days!
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