Today’s the day: When We Vanished is officially on sale!
But… it’s a strange time for a book release. This post will pretty much be the extent of my launch activities this week, because it just feels wrong to be out there trying to get attention for my book when there are far more important issues to focus on.
However, I wanted to do something to mark the occasion, as this book has been a long eight years in the making. So, I’ve compiled a bunch of launch day goodies for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Ordering When We Vanished
OK, let’s get the business stuff out of the way first. You can now buy WWV in most places where books are sold online, including the following Black-owned bookstores:
- Babycake’s Book Stack
- Books and Crannies
- Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center
- Brain Lair Books
- The Dock Bookshop
- Eso Won Books
- Loyalty Bookstores
- Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books
Also, my publishing company’s online storefront is now open for business (though it’s currently shipping to U.S. addresses only). Signed print copies are available, and you can also receive a free button or vinyl sticker by entering the coupon code SWAGJUNE2020 at checkout (offer expires on June 30, 2020).
Read the Interview
I sat down (virtually) with Alexia over at the Bookish Ends blog to answer her excellent questions! Read the interview to find out:
- Why When We Vanished was written for a young adult audience despite the dark topics it explores
- How I went about visiting the locations featured in the novel, and other insights into my writing process
- Which character is my favorite to write (and which one is the hardest)
And lots more! Head over to Bookish Ends to check it out.
Get the Backstory
My path to publication has been very, very long. I recently posted about the journey on this blog – you can get all the details here, in case you missed it!
Watch the Virtual Reading
I long ago gave up on the idea of having any sort of in-person event to celebrate this launch, and wasn’t really excited about doing a live virtual gathering (Zoom fatigue is real!). So I posed the idea of doing a video reading to my family… and we decided to re-enact the first chapter of When We Vanished with LEGO! It turned out to be the perfect quarantine project. You can watch it below, or on YouTube.
Time for Q&A!
The virtual launch wouldn’t be complete without time for a question-and-answer session, so let’s have a Q&A in the comments! Feel free to ask me anything. And thank you for stopping by to celebrate the launch with me!
Hi Alanna! Virtual Q&A eh?!? Here goes: Who was your favorite Author when you were 16? -26? -36? Who was your favorite Musician/Band at -15? -25? -35?
Ooh, starting off with some tough Q’s! For authors: my fave at 16 was probably Sylvia Plath; at 26 it was Jhumpa Lahiri, and at 36(ish) I’d have to say Mary H.K. Choi. And my band obsession at 15 was definitely Bush. At 25, probably Stars. At 35, Frightened Rabbit. But, honestly, it’s really hard to pick just one for each of those ages! 🙂
I really can’t wait to read the next book. I feel like I know Andi, Naveed, Cyrus and Roya. Each with something very special about them.
Glad to hear that! Looking forward to sharing it with you soon…
Alanna, this book is so beautiful in my hands. I love it. The design, the thoughtful way you (and co) put it together, the detailing , and of course: the words. I just started reading it. To be honest: it’s on my bedside where I can read a few pages every night before my eyes fatigue and cause the sentences to fall off the page. But I’m so happy to finally have a copy I can clasp! Thank you.
Thank you Mara, I’m so glad to hear that! I can certainly relate to having very little reading time these days, and am honored that When We Vanished has earned a spot at your bedside so that you can escape into it each night. Enjoy the ride!