Recently, the concept of making a book available for pre-order has been on my mind. The reason is that I have just put my second book, The Secret of Siam, up for pre-order (http://tinyurl.com/mpkkeoz), something I had not done with the first book I released. I’d like to share my thought process to perhaps help you decide if making a book available for pre-order is right for you.

First, I figured, for an author that is not yet quite ‘established,’ what could it hurt? Making a book available in advance allows a prolonged period of marketing it. There are varying perceptions surrounding the amount of time best to make your book available in advance. Some say the full three months allowed by Amazon, others one month. I made a compromise by putting it up for the full three months, but only occasionally advertising it throughout the first two, leaving the strong push for the end. Making your book available in advance allows you to build anticipation and approach the marketing of your book more as a gradual process than an all-at-once blitz.

Second, for me, making The Secret of Siam available for pre-order was also a matter of convenience, seeing as how at my scheduled release date (July 1), I’m sure to have my hands full with the joy of a one-week-old. I wouldn’t be able to guarantee that those important last-minute book details got completed, as my family, and the exciting experience of being a new dad, come first.

Third, making a book available for pre-order “locks” you into a release date, providing accountability for the completion of your writing/editing, if you’re a person who needs deadlines.

There are some “risks” with doing a pre-order. First, while potential readers can read the summary of the book you provide, some individuals decide to purchase a book based off previews, which are not available through Amazon pre-orders. Second, if you market it too heavy too soon, and the person isn’t quite ready to buy your book yet due to the fact that it’s not available, they may forget all about your book in advance of when it’s actually available to purchase.

With the compromise (3-month advanced availability and marketing ramped up as time progresses), I am excited about doing a pre-order. I’m quite proud of my next book, The Secret of Siam, and am happy to begin the marketing process in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

Check out the Secret of Siam, now available for PRE-ORDER, here: http://tinyurl.com/mpkkeoz

The Untold Legend, my first novel, is also currently available in the Kindle Store: http://tinyurl.com/hx48v56