At the beginning of the pandemic, several of my author friends with spring releases suddenly found their book events and conference engagements canceled. As the pandemic shut down the nation, virtual book tours emerged as the best option to connect with readers. My heart ached for these talented wordsmiths with projects years in the making. I made it a priority to attend multiple Zoom and Instagram events to support their books.

After each virtual event, I felt such relief that my book baby was scheduled to drop next year. Surely the fallout from the once-in-a-century contagion would be behind us in time for the June 2021 release of my debut novel, Malcom and Me.

But then the themes in my YA novel, which address racial strife, the dismantling of American mythology, political corruption, and social justice activism jumped off my pages and became amplified in real time.

Societal anger—nationally and globally—exploded over the horrific death of George Floyd at the knee of a police officer.  People of all races, religions, ethnicities, and viewpoints marched to protest police brutality as well as all racially-motivated injustice while shouting “Black Lives Matter,” the rallying call of this social justice movement.

Mind blown, I watched the protests unfold thinking that the themes explored in my book during the 1970s time traveled to 2020 with a few changes.  In the 1970s, we had the Black Power Movement advocating racial pride, economic and political empowerment, and African identity. During the 1973-74 school year, my protagonist calls Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite for owning slaves while signing the Declaration of Independence. Young people today not only dismantle American mythology; they topple monuments to it. My protagonist stood taller because Shirley Chisholm had campaigned for president. Today, Black and brown girls stand taller because of Kamala Harris, the Vice President-elect. So many echoes from the 1970s reverberate today and make the book timely.

In a June email to the publisher, I said it was unfortunate that my book wasn’t coming out this year, because of its timeliness. A few days later, she asked if it was OK to release it in November, seven months early. I said yes, and then panicked offline. Would I still get my reviews and adequate media coverage with an accelerated deadline? What about the editing process or eligibility for awards? When would I get the ARCs?

Fast forward to November. So far, I’ve had positive national reviews. My book has been featured in national roundups and nearly 1,400 people entered a Goodreads giveaway to receive one of 10 copies of my Malcolm and Me. I recently received a positive Kirkus Review. My pre-orders are solid. In my case, an early release made sense. So what can you do if you find yourself in a similar position? Here are 11 tips to meet an accelerated timetable.

Create two sets of deadlines.

After receiving a revised editorial calendar, move every deadline up by a day or two to stay ahead. The extra time allows you to breathe a little easier. Use it to polish your work or review a decision before sending.

Seek help with your cover.

I enlisted about 40 people cast a vote on my five cover options. Engaging them this way pumped them up about the book. They are now my biggest cheerleaders.

Use cheerleaders to drive pre-orders.

Your most engaged supporters can help drum up support for pre-orders, which is key, as I only had an 11-week pre-order window before the book release. Some author friends have an eight-month pre-order jump on me. 

Tie your launch into an event.

In my case I am fortunate that Christmas is next month and Black History Month is in February.

Be nice to your editorial team.

Stress can make the most gracious person cranky. Your team is working as hard as you are. That doesn’t mean you can’t disagree, but try not to be disagreeable. Deadline pressure is not an excuse to be unprofessional.

Love your book.

You will need to read your book 784,392 times as you make revisions, review edits and make post-ARC corrections. So you’d better welcome the opportunity to read it again. 

Listen to your story.

Literally. Let your laptop read your work so you can hear typos, grammar issues, and odd phrasing. The laptop reads what’s on the page, not what you think you see or meant to write. Most laptops can read aloud. Go to the university of Google to learn how to turn it on.

Learn your best camera angles.

You may find yourself doing a series of interviews or book tour discussions via Zoom, Skype and Instagram. Have talking points on hand to help calm your nerves.

Practice reading your book.

Many authors do themselves and their books a disservice by reading excerpts without enthusiasm.  If you don’t love your own words, why should anyone else?

Pray or meditate.

I’m not kidding. As a debut author, I am coming out with many traditional high-profile authors (and amid major election noise). I worried that I would not get attention and get lost in the new book sauce. After reflection, I decided to go for it. Why? No guts, no glory. Amen.

Start the day with gratitude.

For weeks, maybe months, you will talk about or write essays and Q&As about your story. What could be better than that? Is that not part of the author’s dream?

I don’t know how often early releases happen. But if you find yourself in that position, your publisher is doing everything possible to leverage your book in the marketplace. That’s an endorsement I hope your book and my next one earns!