Breaking Book Launch Rules - Announcing My - NOW AVAILABLE - New Book: "Letting Go Right Now"
I’m very pleased to announce that my new book, “Letting Go Right Now,” is out as an e-book on Amazon! It will also be available in paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats on January 2nd!
How I Got To Publishing My Second Book
After publishing my first book, "Meeting People in Real Life,” I discovered something unexpected: while it targeted male readers, my most engaged followers on Substack were women. This revelation shaped my vision for what I wanted to come next — I wanted to create something that would resonate deeply with readers of any gender. It meant stepping beyond dating advice (so no more kissing books…) into broader territory where everyone could find value. While considering the theme for my new book, I explored a wide range of self-help topics. However, in the end, I selected the topic of letting go: letting go of the past, letting go of past traumas, letting go of past relationships, letting go of negative thinking… You know, those experiences, events, and relationships that are in the past, yet we carry them around inside us, and they prevent us from moving on with our lives and being open to new possibilities.
The need to let go found me before I found it. During a turbulent time in my life, I faced a cascade of losses: my mother's death, my 19-year-old dog passing away, going through divorce, grappling with career dissatisfaction, and weathering a series of disappointing post-divorce relationships. Life had handed me a masterclass in letting go. I realized that this universal challenge—releasing our grip on past traumas, failed relationships, and negative thinking—was the story I needed to tell.
The process of writing about letting go became a journey of its own. While I'd optimistically planned to complete the book in three months, reality had other ideas. It required six months of work to emerge with the finished manuscript finally. Though it took longer than expected, this experience taught me something valuable: I can produce two high-quality books within a year through a combination of determination, hard work, and, yes, a healthy dose of stubbornness. With the lessons learned from this second book, I'm curious to see if I can further streamline my process.
Why Is It Called “Letting Go Right Now?”
My book’s full title is “Letting Go Right Now: Easy to Read Inspiration, Science, Wisdom, Action Plans, and Exercises So You Can Clear Your Mind, Eliminate Negative Thinking, Get Over What’s Holding You Back, and Start to Let Go.”
Sure, that’s a mouthful. However, I wanted to make a clear commitment to my readers (and myself) that the book is actionable from the moment you pick it up until the last page. Every chapter ends with an action plan so you can put its content into practice right away. Also, I’ve included exercises, a quiz, and plenty of wisdom based on my research and personal life experience.
You may also notice the word “science” in the title. This is because when I read self-help books, I generally find the genre can be a little bit… “fluffy.” However, many of the letting go techniques that I include in my book are therapeutic and healthy, and they really work, so it was critical to me that my book is backed by up-to-date scientific research.
What’s With My Book Launch Strategy?
My first book launch was refreshingly simple but a little naive: upload to Amazon, press publish, and cross my fingers. But with "Letting Go Right Now," I'm taking a more mindful approach that leverages Amazon's ecosystem to maximize impact.
Phase one of my strategy begins now: the ebook debuts for only 99 cents for December. This isn't just a holiday discount—it's an intentional move to achieve two key goals. First, by driving sales early, I signal to Amazon's algorithm that this book has momentum. This groundwork will prove invaluable when I release the paperback in January and restore the ebook to full price. Second, these early sales can generate verified reviews—the gold standard on Amazon. While I'll still work with ARC readers for detailed feedback, those crucial "Verified Purchase" badges only come from actual sales, even at the promotional price.
Phase two launches in January with the paperback release, building on the foundation of December's ebook momentum. The timing aligns perfectly with the "New Year, New Beginnings" mindset when readers are particularly receptive to books focusing on self-improvement.
This rollout is just the tip of the iceberg—I'll share more details about specific aspects of this strategy in upcoming posts. Through this process, I'm learning that a book launch isn't just about making your work available—it's about creating the optimal conditions for it to thrive.
What’s Next?
Now comes the hard part. I have given myself one month to promote my book and build up to the launch of my paperback, hardcover, and audiobook. Part of this includes starting a new book launch club (which I will announce soon) so I can have a team of ARC readers who will provide me with any final feedback and write some much-needed Amazon reviews.
Checkout My Book On Amazon
If you’d like to check it out, you can see my book right now on Amazon. Just click the link below. If you’re interested, please buy a copy and be sure to send me your feedback!
https://mybook.to/Letting_Go_Right_Now
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Good going Matt. Your second book intrigues me. As I am newly writing fiction about five strong women pursuing their next chapter in life, along with important friendships, they definitely need to let go.
Purchased and subscribed. I look forward to reading more!
Congrats! 👏🏼