Countdown to Pub Day: Podcasts, Reviews, Book Tour, and how you can help!
Plus a mini-tour of ancient Scythian artifacts, and a creative writing prompt at the end.
This week is the final countdown to AKMARAL. Pub day is May 7. Here’s what’s going on, as briefly as I can because there is so much!
Podcasts
I had some great chats with some wonderful podcasters, starting with Amy and Carrie from The Perks of Being a Book Lover. (Their favorite word from our conversation was “fascinating.” My favorite word was “refreshing!”)
For those interested in the more “nerdy” nuances of my historical and archaeological research, check out my episode on Nomads, Past and Present.
Also coming up is a great conversation with Caroline Donahue, host of my favorite writerly podcast, The Secret Library Podcast. I’ll keep you posted when that one goes live. And I have at least a dozen more interviews and podcasts coming in the next few weeks.
Reviews are coming in!
Here are a few quotes from my favorites on GoodReads:
“This book is a masterpiece to say the least. Lindbergh really nailed bringing this book to life with descriptive character and world building. This book is one of the first historical fictions that I truly fell in love with.” - FIVE STARS from Adreanna King
“Historical fiction at its best - an emotional and inspiring story about a strong woman and her influence on a whole tribe.” - FIVE STARS from Nix
There’s also a wonderful review on Reading the Past from Sarah Johnson, librarian and book review editor for the Historical Novels Review. She knows historical fiction, so her positive words mean the world to me. She says AKMARAL is:
“A saga both lyrical and fierce that evokes the spirit of its heroine”
“Rooted in conflict and betrayal …Yet the story also exudes amazing beauty.”
More official reviews are in the works… at least I hope so! And of course, I pray that they’re good. But you cannot please everyone—trust me, I’ve learned that. I’ve been working hard to thicken my skin for whatever criticism is ahead. But if I can keep getting mostly four and five stars, I’ll be thrilled.
Events! Book Tour! Festivals!
Like a rollercoaster, I’ve been chugging slowly up the steep slope. I’m nearing the top now and the thrill of the ride, with all its wind-blown hair and slight tinge of nausea, is just moments away.
It started with an informal signing event at my beloved Watchung Booksellers. (Don’t worry. You haven’t missed my real book launch event there on May 16.) “Our Moms” virtual Book Bingo hosted by Adventures by the Book is tomorrow night at 7PM (virtual and free!) The Montclair Literary Festival Historical Fiction panel is Saturday at 11AM. I’ll be talking with Vanessa Chan, author of THE STORM WE MADE, and moderator, Kim Foote. And then there’s all this:
And so much more.
Please join me on my tour, whether it’s in New Jersey, New York, my virtual book event on May 21, my Boston event on July 2, or at one of the festivals I’ll be doing this fall.
“Please, sir, may I have your help?”
As I’ve said before, no author can launch a book without the support of their friends, family, and community. So, if you’re willing—and I truly hope you are—here are a few things you could do to help me spread the word!
Take a photo with the book, post to social media, and tag me.
Tag other people who might like it, too. I’m on Instagram, Facebook—my personal page, Facebook—my author page, Threads, Twitter/X. I’m barely there, but maybe you still use Twitter?
Post a review of AKMARAL:
If you read it and enjoy it, please write a review on Amazon, GoodReads, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you like to share your book thoughts. Be honest, of course, but the more reviews I get, the more AKMARAL will reach readers who might love it.
I know a lot of you are writers. If you want a publishing credit, try submitting a formal review to one of these great places that pay for book reviews.
Spread the Word:
Ask your local librarian to get a copy for their branch.
Ask for AKMARAL at your local bookstores. (Yes, I went to many of the local ones, but I’m sure I didn’t hit them all.)
If you’re in a book club, suggest reading AKMARAL. (Yes, I’d love to join your group for a chat.)
Just tell people who might enjoy AKMARAL.
Word of mouth has always been the strongest pitch for any novel. Thank you for anything you can do to help. Every little bit of support helps!
Artifacts of the Month
As I look toward next week, I’m really wondering whether anyone (other than Martha Anne Toll) will mention how Russia and Ukraine have been fighting over their right to Scythian cultural claims and heritage. I’ve been following this news for a long time, of course, but this article that Martha shared with me really points out the complex issues. Given the devastating war in Ukraine, I find it tricky even to drop in on some of the very best virtual galleries at The Hermitage in St. Petersburg. That’s where some of the most critical artifacts from my novel are currently housed.
Here’s a quick peek into the gallery that holds the famous Pazyryk rug, the oldest know carpet discovered in the world, which I buried in Akmaral’s grave. (In my fictional interpretation, of course!)
Creative Writing Prompt: A Rollercoaster Ride
Because I’m using this very apt metaphor for the crazy ups and downs of my book launch, I thought it appropriate to use the same idea as my final pre-publication writing prompt. (Yes, there will be more prompts in the months to come.) Whether you love rollercoasters or hate them—I hate them!—they are an experience in thrilling weightlessness and a simulation of tempting death.
Write about the feeling, the experience, the thrill, or nausea that you (or your character) experience on a truly crazy rollercoaster ride like this great 3D rollercoaster where the tracks actually disappear. OMG!
And remember that life is a rollercoaster—not just during a book launch, but really, all the time. We go through ups and downs every day. It’s how we handle them that makes us stronger, wiser, and more resilient.
AKMARAL pubs on MAY 7!
Thank you, everyone, for your support. And to my paid subscribers, you are ANGELS!
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and GoodReads. (I'm also on Twitter/X, but rarely.) Or visit judithlindbergh.com.
Looking forward to hearing you at Millburn library next week! Bravo... you did it!!!
Pamela Woodnick