Talking Shrimp's
Book Launch Hero
A kit and masterclass in bestseller
marketing and bold self-promotion.
Dear Not-Super-Famous Person (No Offense) With A Book Or Book Idea,
Yay! A book! What an accomplishment. Maybe that’s enough on its own — to have written a book.
Or, maybe you’re like me, and want your book not just to exist…
But also to be a widely-read smash-hit.
Or, at the very least, to get in the hands of scores of readers who need or would love it.
Me? I dreamed of long lines at book signings, of love notes from strangers, of spotting my book “in the wild” — specifically, on airplanes, in the hands of readers who’d snort-laugh, spill their complimentary drink, and apologize to their seatmates.
You too?
I’m afraid I have some sucky news, which I heard from several agents who rejected me:
Unless you’re Britney or have a million TikTok followers, it can be hard AF to even get a book published — especially one about yourself — much less get readers to buy it.
One of my first rejection letters says about as much. At least it was super kind and semi-encouraging.
Wanna make your book an undeniable success?
Let's do it together.
I'm happy to report, I granted the agent's request and proved him wrong.
Not that I got enormous traction at publishing houses, but all it takes is one Yes.
Still, getting a book deal, if you choose to go the traditional route, hardly guarantees your book will sell once it’s out.
NEWSFLASH:
It doesn't matter how great your book is.
Nobody will know or care.
Unless you make them know and care.
And oh, how people reminded me of that.
People who love and believe in me.
They didn’t want to see me get my hopes up too high, because those hopes were so likely to be crushed. Why would you expect your first book to hit bestseller lists?
“It’s your first book, and books are so hard to sell. Don’t expect too much.”
That was the message from pretty much everyone.
If you write a book or have written one, you’re bound to hear the same. And the cold, hard stats support it.
Get this:
Even the average traditionally published book sells only 250-300 copies in its first year.
Wow, that’s bleak!
But —
I’m happy to report, YOU can defy the stats and prove the well-meaning naysayers wrong.
Even if you...
- aren't a "big name"
- don't have a platform (yet)
- don't have fancy-pants literary friends
...There's so much you can do to give your book the life, the staying power, the readership it deserves. (And so do you!)
I'm here to dish on everything that worked for me — while it's still fresh in the ol' brain.
With no real literary-world connections…
No ginormous mailing list…
No mega-bulk-buys…
And an audience that largely prefers how-to books over the kind of book I insisted on writing…
My first book, Tough Titties:
Is a USA Today Bestseller
(Which makes it officially a National Bestseller)
Made the Publishers Weekly bestseller list.
Scored #4 in its category in the Goodreads Choice Awards FINALS
Ranked #1 in New Releases on Amazon and #2 overall in the Humor Essays (not some rando category like “Medieval Women in Business”)
Got a fat shoutout from Kelly Ripa at the top of Live! the morning of my Pub Day
Sold over 4k copies in preorders and its first week (outselling the debut books on the NYT Bestseller List)
How did I know how to make all this happen?
Pure instinct.
The wisdom in my body told me exactly what to do.
✨✨✨🙏✨🧘🏻♀️✨🌅
Kidding! I may be an experienced marketer, but my body and I knew ZILCH about launching a book.
Ask an author and they'll back me up:
NOBODY TELLS YOU ANYTHING.
At least, not the people you think will tell you.
I learned as I went, cobbling together tips and strategies from friends, colleagues, and industry insiders.
Most gave me gold, a few steered me totally wrong. Oops.
Would you like me to walk you through everything I did that worked, and guide you around pitfalls I could have avoided?
Good! Let’s go!
I've made over $500k in book advances, and I still got SO much value from Book Launch Hero.
- Jadah Sellner, Author of She Builds and Simple Green Smoothies + Host of the Lead with Love Podcast
In a powerful, double book-marketing masterclass
(Recorded replay...)
I’ll take you behind the scenes of my entire book launch process —
- Blurb requests
- Media pitches
- Street team
- Book mailings
- Promoting on social
- Getting shout-outs from influencers
- Bookstore and other in-person events (AKA “touring”)
...And more. If I did it, I’ll share it.
You’ll learn:
- Hugely effective ways to create buzz for your book even if you LOATHE social media (or aren't on it at all)
- One crucial action you should take at least 6 months out (or ASAP, if that ship sailed)
- The “Title Test” for knowing if you’ve got a potential bestseller…or should go back to the drawing board while you still can
- The most powerful lever to pull in your book promotion that I almost skipped
- The best advice I got — and the worst! (Follow THIS popular opinion at your peril)
- A celebrity tip I already knew — but most authors don’t
- Whether it’s worth it to hire PR (and what to know before you fork over 6k+ per month)
- 3 ways to make liars out of everyone who says “books don’t make you rich.”
- How to avoid getting eyerolls and unfollows and being “that desperate author” with your constant promotion
- “That’s a wrap, I’m done:” When to call it a day on pushing (and caring)
- The fluke that rocketed Tough Titties to national bestseller status - and how you can replicate it
- 13 rookie mistakes, one of which might have cost me the NYT bestseller list
- The secret “Hater Bait” strategy from an A-list copywriter that skyrocketed my book sales…but partly backfired
- What is a street team, why are they so crucial, and why don’t more authors have one?
- A behind-the-scenes peek at my own successful street team, the Titty Committee - plus 2 mistakes I had to course-correct, and one I should have.
- Which promotions made a splash on social, and which tanked like a street mime at a funeral
- One mindset hurdle you must overcome to make your book a success (if you have any self-awareness)
- One choice that had a shockingly negative effect on my book promotion — and whether I regret it
- One huge blunder to avoid in any public communication (sadly, I’m the case study)
And feast your eyes on what's included in the Book Launch Hero kit!
…and more!
Pop in your AirPods and settle in with the hugely popular BTS —or, rather, BTT (“Behind The Titties”)— call recording, where I pulled back the curtain on my whole “book journey,” including…
Working on a book?
Relive a 2-hour deep-dive into the publishing process, where I walked through my whole book “journey,” including:
- At what point I first wanted to write a book (+ the many times I started one, with great enthusiasm and not much follow-through)
- How I came up with the title Tough Titties
- Why I decided to make it a collection of essays rather than memoir, and what’s the difference
- Why agent after agent loved my writing but still rejected the book
- How I finally got an agent
- The one rule I set and held firm to — and how it probably cost me a big, fat, potentially multi-6-figure book advance
- How I got the perfect cover from my publisher (when most authors cry, not in a good way, over the publisher’s ideas)
- My rookie mistake in the writing process
- Why writing the book went from fun to pure hellscape
- The “shocking” feedback I received on my early draft
- How I finally got over myself, and got that sucker written
- How I decided which chapters to cut, and which to leave in
- What I did when I ended up 25,000 words over my contractual word count 😬
- How I handled writing about people who’d be offended by my words (and, potentially, sue me)
- The scandalous chapter name I had to change, per legal
- Whether I asked people permission to write about them
- The hot tip a well-known copywriter gave me for selling more pre-orders
- Why I felt OK being so “naked” in the book (revealing an *interesting* detail from my past)
- Can you get published without a platform? (And the story about my friend that’ll give you hope)
Now available during checkout!
As soon as you purchase Book Launch Hero, you'll have a chance to add on these much-requested essentials for scoring a (nonfiction) book deal.
My Tough Titties Proposal
I wouldn’t have been able to write a proposal without using at least one other successful proposal as a model. Here’s your model!
Query Letter
The query letter I sent to agents, which eventually got me a Yes (from Park & Fine) - plus a video breakdown mapping it out!
Book Launch Hero is for you if...
You have a book coming out soon — and you want it to be a hit
You're writing a book, or plan to — and want it to be a hit
You already have a book out, and want ideas to reignite the buzz — and give it another chance to be a hit
Your book is fiction OR nonfiction — doesn't matter — and you want it to be a hit
Book Launch Hero is *also* for you if...
You have no intention of writing a book, but you're a COPYWRITER or VA and want to add an in-demand, valuable new skill (book marketing) to your arsenal
You're just a marketing / copy / email geek and always want to learn more
You could use permission and/or a kick in the butt to promote yourself so the right people can find you
Is your finished, published book a long way off?
This is for you, too!
This course isn't focused on the writing / publishing process so much as the strategies to make your book a success — whatever that means to you.
However, if you need a) guidance getting a book deal or b) a fire under your tush to finish that book...
Then Book Launch Hero is still for you! The BTT call, the sample proposal and agent-query letter will give you a huge edge.
I would have been lost at sea writing my own proposal and querying agents without examples to guide me. So I’m passing the life raft to you.
Book Launch Hero might be the best money I've ever spent!
Laura's Book Launch Hero might be the best money I've ever spent. It is so practical and so helpful. This isn't theory that someone has made up. Laura is giving you the step by step of how she created a bestselling book. From how to get blurbs from well-known authors to how to get on different podcasts, how to think about getting on podcasts, where you should invest during your book launch, to where does it make as much sense.
I love that Laura talked about things she would do differently next time, ideas on how she could become what she calls an "A+ student" and really go overboard. There is so much in this workshop. Not only am I going to use it for me, but I have a client who's going to be launching a book, and it is seriously the best!
- Brenna McGowan, Launch Strategist & Copywriter
Book Launch Hero is chock-full of applicable info that I'll use for my own book!
I attended Book Launch Hero last week and just wanted to talk a little bit about what I got out of it and why I think you should probably do it too.
When I was in Shrimp Club, Laura suggested I write a book. I actually finished the manuscript last week, so thank you, Laura!
I signed up for the Book Launch Hero Masterclass because I do have a title, but I really like the examples that Laura gave us during the workshop and it's helped me take my title forward. Now that it's written, what do I need to do next? It was really great to see behind the scenes on how to market.
One of my big takeaways is to continue to grow my list, which Laura is all about. It was really a great experience: fun and chock-full of applicable information that I'm going to use for my own book.
If you're writing a book, thinking about writing a book (we all have a book in us), I would say take this class and get 'er done! I have so many friends that say they want to write a book and they never do. Part of it is just knowing what you need to do because once you have that clarity, then you just have to execute and that's easy enough. Bit by bit you do it. Again, I totally recommend. Laura, sending hugs and thank you!
- Bethany Bunnell, Founder of The Birthday Interview
A masterclass in ensuring that your book doesn't just launch—it soars!
Even though I've had 2 very successful book launches of my own—with one book debuting at #3 on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list—I still found myself scribbling notes like a rookie while watching Book Launch Hero. If Laura Belgray's name is on a course, I'm diving in, knowing I'll emerge smarter than before. So go ahead and grab Book Launch Hero. It's a masterclass in ensuring that your book doesn't just launch—it soars.
- Ozan Varol, Rocket Scientist & Bestselling Author of Awaken Your Genius and Think Like a Rocket Scientist
I've made over $500k in book advances, and I still got SO much value from Book Launch Hero.
I'm a two-time traditionally published author who has made over $500k in book advances, and I still got SO much value from Book Launch Hero. I loved all of the screenshots from the exact emails and DMs Laura sent to get book blurbs. Her permission slip to self-promote and be persistent was inspiring and eye-opening. Makes me want to write my next book, just so I can follow all of the milestones Laura shared with her community along her book writing journey. If you're looking for behind-the-scenes book launch strategies that are honest + helpful, Book Launch Hero is your loving companion.
- Jadah Sellner, Author of She Builds and Simple Green Smoothies + Host of the Lead with Love Podcast
This is the shit no one is sharing anywhere else!
Book Launch Hero was an absolutely one-of-its-kind game-changing class. There is A LOT of drama and conflict and agony out there about marketing your book, to the point where I, as a marketer with 15 years of experience, just wanted to bury my head in the sand and not do any of it. But I signed up for Laura's class because I love her and loved watching her book make its way into the world. And I am SO GLAD I DID because this is the shit no one is sharing anywhere else. The actual pitch emails she sent. Exactly how she handled pre-orders. What efforts made an impact on sales and which didn't and the mistakes she made. Stop Googling this stuff or talking to people who haven't actually done it. Save your time (save your money) and just do Book Hero.
- Marian Schembari, Author of A Little Less Broken
Now I'm motivated to start sharing my book!
I have been writing on a book idea since 2015 and haven't made significant progress yet to even think about launching. Or so I thought. I was very inspired by this masterclass and how Laura started sharing about writing her book in the very early days and I feel motivated now to start sharing about mine!
I kinda sorta also followed this masterclass to get great ideas about launching in general, for my business and courses — and it paid off! I thought it was very, very detailed and gave great insight into the timeline and what it takes to make it work. I love how Laura seems to have fun with this and her repeated reassurance that it's okay to self-promote.
I appreciate the honesty about what it takes to get the book in front of people. Thank you!
And....also loved Tough Titties!
- Monique Coppens, Owner, Monique Coppens Coaching
Tells me just what I need to know when my book is published...and NOW as I'm writing it.
I loved it.
So detailed.
So honest.
I really found it super comprehensive and very honest about what worked and what didn't. I followed along with every step of Laura's book launch (taking notes along the way) and was on the Titty Committee [street team] too. I think Book Launch Hero really gets into the nitty-gritty of the Titties and tells me just what I need to know (but might be afraid to do) when my book is published (and just to show I was really listening… stuff I need to do NOW as I am writing it).
- Dana DiPrima, Talk Farm to Me podcast & For Farmers movement
So many takeaways and new ideas!
I haven’t even finished writing my book but I already have pages of notes on takeaways from these workshops and new ideas I’ve come up with for my launch plan. You’ve helped me become clear on a couple different areas I’ve been stuck on and went back and forth on. I’m also excited to connect with the community and try out other resources shared. You always have such a real life way to share applicable wisdom with us that really moves the needle. THANK YOU!!
- Lindsey Nichole Hanson, Human Resources Professional & Project Manager
Unvarnished, professional and real.
What I liked:
- Unvarnished and professional and real.
- Answered all the questions.
How it's helped me:
- It helped me decide my approach for beta readers.
- Inspired me to reach HUGE for my street team.
- Convinced me I gotta get clever for bonuses and goodies for all the people who will volunteer hours of their life for my book.
- Shit, I need a new headshot
- I run my office like a badger. MUST hire someone to help me as soon as the manuscript is delivered.
I'd recommend Book Launch Hero for anyone with a book (in progress or already out) who's ready to work smart as well as hard.
- Diane Osgood, Ph.D.
Book Launch Hero has so many golden nuggets!
I paid close attention to Laura's Tough Titties launch, and I implemented everything in my power when putting my book Sleep Simplified into the world a few months after. It became an Amazon Bestseller 3 days before my launch! 🎉
Book Launch Hero had even more golden nuggets than I had expected, and the double masterclass felt like a fun coffee chat with friends who understood and validated your brilliant ideas and supported your work.
Now, I'm ready to implement the new insights to launch "Simplifica tu Sueño," the Spanish version of my book. Thank you for being Laura F'ing Belgray and for putting together Book Launch Hero. That gave me the courage to be my best F'ing self as well.
- Monica Le Baron, Sleep Coach & Certified Yoga Therapist
Hot insider tips!
Laura Belgray’s Book Launch Hero mastermind took me off the beach on holidays in Mexico. I forfeited a sunburn for all the hot insider tips she shared and I am so glad I did. Where else do you get to experience the step-by-step journey and marketing blueprint of the book launch process that travels successfully from inspiration to validation?
- Amanda Onchulenko, Author of Wisdom at the Crossroads & Host of Wisdom at the Crossroads Podcast
Book Launch Hero is overflowing with valuable information!
Thank you so much for the Book Launch Hero Masterclass! It was overflowing with information. I have been in a plethora of courses, writing workshops, and writing groups over the years (ahem decades), so my only expectation was to hear a handful of your personal experiences that could be insightful. (I love that you never hold back!) I got all that and so much more. I was blown away by all the ideas, insider information—plus templates and bonuses to boot. Book marketing is an ever-changing landscape and it was particularly helpful to hear real-world perspectives on the newer avenues and platforms that are available.
- Amy Blevins, Writer, Designer, and Founder of Creativiv.com
A must-buy for anyone looking to bring their book into the world.
When Laura started early marketing for Tough Titties, I started hoarding her ideas. I'm in draft mode for my own book and knew Laura would be doing a proper job of her launch. As I collected Laura's emails, I quickly realised it wasn't nearly enough to feel organised so when she shared Book Launch Hero, I immediately snapped it up. A complete and detailed blueprint of everything she did, templates and all. The workshop outlining all what worked, what didn't and what she'd do differently was an epic insight in the entire process.
I needed a lie down afterwards but the whole book launch process is 100% less mysterious which is encouraging to someone like me (who hangs between a fabulous idea and the energy to make it real). A must-buy for anyone looking to bring their book into the world (and have people actually buy it).
- Belinda Weaver, Copywriting Coach
THE most comprehensive roadmap to launching your book or any project!
Whether you're launching your first book or your 21st, I can guarantee there are fresh, ingenious and fly-off-the-shelf ideas you would never have thought of without Laura Belgray's Book Launch Hero.
It's THE most comprehensive roadmap to launching your book or any project. For MONTHS Laura has been collecting proven strategies that she's patched together from NYTimes Best-Selling Authors to private phone calls with top TV personalities to peers who have also launched award-winning books, as well as applying the savvy marketing she's learned through decades of building her own multi-million dollar business.
And you get all this experience, much of which she's learned through trial and error (saving you tons of time and money)... laid out for you chronologically. First, you'll love to see all the options up front, then you'll get to take action, choosing from the buffet of big and small choices—and thanks to Laura, you'll get them right out of the gate.
Laura's wins and what-I-wish-I-knew's range from a notecard "smear" that turned out even better than it would have if it hadn't all gone wrong... to a simple tweak that can make it MUCH easier to rank on Amazon *while* gifting your loyal audience.
Laura gives you the step-by-step on how to launch your book and at the same time get closer to your whole community; a worthy investment for any online business as well as any author.
As always, Laura Belgray, National Best Selling Author, makes the entire experience entertaining. And you'll love the feeling that Laura weaves throughout her Masterclass that makes you walk away ready to go all-in with literally any project you want to make a huge success, RIGHT NOW.
- Kelly Clark, Author of: It took me 10 years to lose 10 pounds & What the F do I eat?
Book Launch Hero gives you what you need to know (and do) to sell your book.
Book Launch Hero takes a whole overwhelming industry and boils it down into what you need to know (and do) to sell your book. Laura shed light on a lot of what I would call “future landmines” (i.e. sources of misplaced worry, procrastination, unnecessary work and wasted time & money that I DEFINITELY would have fallen into) that I can now safely avoid just by hearing about her experience and the research and guidance she uncovered organically from living the book launch process. And hearing the answers to questions from people further along in the process than I am was invaluable, since I would never have thought to ask those q’s myself!
Thanks for saving me hours and headaches by only focusing on what’ll move the needle forward… and get my book in the hands of as many people as possible. After seeing the path to actually get it out into the world in a big way, I finally found the motivation to curate years (fine, decades) of writing into an actual readable novel, something I never thought would happen.
- Sami Miles, Comedienne, Copywriter, & Founder of Catchiest Copy
Book Launch Hero armed me with concrete strategies to amplify my voice strategically!
Oh my goodness, where do I begin? Book Launch Hero is a goldmine of Aha! Moments that not only elevated my mindset as a creator but also armed me with concrete strategies to amplify my voice strategically. Laura's SUPERB review of the key aspects and considerations creatives must take into account when marketing and self-promoting our work is simply transformative. From demystifying bestseller success to becoming your own advocate and chief strategist, every aspect is packed with insights.
The templates and swipe copy are nothing short of epic, already saving me a substantial amount of time as I craft my nonfiction book proposal and query my current manuscripts. And the 'Do-Overs' section was particularly enlightening, as Laura candidly shared what she would do differently or better in all the pillars of her marketing strategy—an invaluable learning experience. Personally, I've already implemented one of these insights into my marketing approach, resulting in getting booked on two podcasts this month.
As a published children's author, financial educator, and entrepreneur, I'm thrilled to implement Laura's wisdom to amplify my heart-centered business and writing career. ¡Gracias, Laura, for empowering us with the tools to turn our creative endeavors into success stories!
- Anna Orenstein-Cardona, Author, Certified Financial Educator, Founder of Wear Your Money Crown®
Book Launch Hero should be a required course for every first (or any time) author.
Launching a book doesn’t come with a user manual (even though it definitely should!). There’s no onboarding process for first-time authors, and there’s no real comprehensive resource or how-to …until now.
Book Launch Hero is the most efficient and comprehensive user guide you need to launch your book while preserving your sanity. It lays out all of the various marketing and PR tools that one may use, with pros, cons, timelines, lessons, and examples for each. Even if you have marketing/business experience (which I did), books are a different animal.
It’s the perfect springboard to give you all the basics which you can then customize to make it your own. You will feel so on top of your shit if you take this a year or 6 months out from launch. I truly think it should be required watching/listening for every first (or any time) author.
Thank you so so much for putting Book Launch Hero together. It was a lifesaver for me and the best thing I did for myself in the book launch process.
- Megan Hellerer, Career Coach, Founder of Coaching for Underfulfilled Overachievers & Author of DIRECTIONAL LIVING: A Transformational Guide to Fulfillment in Work and Life
Thank you for making me feel less terrified about launching a book!
Launching a book is kind of a big deal. Thank you for making me feel less terrified about it all and sparking hope that all of this is actually doable (with some serious elbow grease, spunk and some helpful spreadsheets). For those of us who people please and don't want to bother anyone, putting yourself out there can be a task for tums. The actionable steps, advice and honest conversations left me feeling excited and less alone as an author (who enjoys spending time alone). Thank you for always being authentic and sharing your path to being a bestseller! Now off to finish building my author website and email Kelly Ripa. Okay, only one of these things is true - for now.
- Laura Silveira, Author of Wishing on Rainbows
Unbelievably thorough and helpful!
Book Launch Hero is unbelievably thorough and so helpful. It exceeded my expectations which were pretty high going in! I actually revised the marketing section of my book proposal immediately — the timing was great as we are just going out to submit.
- Dina Aronson, Founder, Patina with Dina Aronson
Book Launch Hero
I wanted to make my price "author friendly."
Knowing you might just want to spring for the double workshop recording, I'm offering that piece a la carte.
Or, you can opt for the full Book Launch Hero:
1. The recorded two-part class, plus
2. The kit of indispensable materials (email campaigns, swipe guide, book page breakdown, etc.),
to inspire and guide you in your book marketing "journey"
Want it all but need a payment plan? I've got you. Click here.
Hi, I'm Laura Belgray - creator of this Book Launch Hero joint
I'm also founder of Talking Shrimp, co-creator of The Copy Cure, and—brag alert—source of the best emails around. How do I know they're the best? People tell me so. Also, my emails mobilized a lot of people who don't even read non-"how to" books to buy my book, Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You're the F'ing Worst.
I might have mentioned, it became a national bestseller.
Haven't read it yet? I'm not worried, I'll get you to dive into it sooner or later. If I have my way, you'll keep hearing about it and finally say, "OK, I've gotta read this book already." That's the author's job, to make their book impossible to forget about or ignore.
And that's what I'm going to help you do here in Book Launch Hero!