Success! What Happens Now?

The day I have been waiting for finally arrived yesterday, February 25, 2024. The novel passed the final review on Amazon and will open for sales on March 12!!

What did I do while I waited? Since I have decided to go “all in” with my new “career” as an author, I made business cards. I’m leaving for RootsTech in Salt Lake City tomorrow. I always bring business cards with me to genealogy conferences because it makes it so easy to share contact info with people. So, I quickly worked one up that included my usual genealogy info as well as info on the novel.

I decided it was time to send out some press releases to the local newspapers. I’ve been consulting the website kindlepreneur.com which has great info on marketing on Amazon. I went there to find information on writing a good release.

Next, I called on my good friend, ChatGPT for help in constructing the release. It was a very validating experience! ChatGPT apparently thinks I’m really fantastic!

Here is the prompt I used: Create a concise press release for my novel. Include these elements: to be released on March 12, 2024. Then I copied and pasted the book premise and the book description and my bio from the back of the book.

Here’s what was generated.

New Novel “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen” by Deborah S. Holman to Release on March 12, 2024, Commemorating 86 Years Since Hitler’s Annexation of Austria** Woodbury, CT – February 24, 2024 – Esteemed author and genealogist Deborah S. Holman is set to release her latest novel, “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen,” on March 12, 2024. This poignant narrative, set against the backdrop of historical upheaval, traces the enduring legacy of an Austrian hat-maker, Sigmund Lichtenthal, whose life is forever altered by the rise of Hitler’s regime in 1938. In a narrative that spans generations, readers are transported through time as Sigmund’s descendants grapple with the echoes of the past and the profound impact it has on their lives. Seven decades later, the baton is passed to Sigmund’s great-granddaughter, Deborah. Driven by a deep sense of familial duty and armed with revelations from preserved letters and historical documents, she undertakes a profound journey to complete Sigmund’s mission. “As I confront the haunting echoes of the past and unearths buried truths, readers are left to ponder: Will I be successful in completing his lifelong quest?” says Holman. Holman skillfully weaves together threads of history, loss, and familial duty, inviting readers to reflect on their own sense of worth and resilience. Holman, a seasoned chronicler of stories and Editor of QUEST, the quarterly newsletter from the Jewish Genealogy Society of Connecticut, brings her expertise to bear in “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen,” meticulously crafting a narrative that is both historically rich and deeply personal. Readers will be captivated by this tale of perseverance and the transformative power of recognizing one’s intrinsic worth, making “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen” a must-read for fans of historical fiction and family sagas alike. For more information about Deborah S. Holman and her upcoming release, visit http://www.nothingreallybadwillhappen.com **About Deborah S. Holman:** Deborah S. Holman is a genealogy expert, educator, and seasoned chronicler with over two decades of experience in the field. She currently serves as the Editor of QUEST, the quarterly newsletter from the Jewish Genealogy Society of Connecticut, and is the moderator of the JGSCT Writers group. Holman’s passion for storytelling and preserving family histories shines through in her blog “Who We Are and How We Got This Way” and her various family history books. Currently residing in Woodbury, Connecticut, Holman is deeply committed to preserving and sharing personal and collective histories. — For media inquiries, interviews, or review copies, please contact Deborah S. Holman at deborah.holman@sbcglobal.net or (203) 444-1741. ### END ###

It was a bit wordy. Also I wasn’t a big fan of the word “Commemorating” in the title – seemed more like the book was celebrating Hitler’s conquest! I also realized I wanted a little bit of an explanation about the book’s title. And less blah-blah-blah about me! But that’s the real purpose of AI, in my opinion—not to do the work for you, but to jump-start your brain.

Here’s the final version:

**New Novel “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen” by Deborah S. Holman to Release on March 12, 2024, Marking 86 Years Since Hitler’s Annexation of Austria**

Woodbury, CT – February 24, 2024 – Local author and genealogist Deborah S. Holman is set to release her latest novel, “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen,” on March 12, 2024. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of historical upheaval, this poignant narrative delves into the enduring legacy of Sigmund Lichtenthal, an Austrian hat-maker whose life is irrevocably altered by the rise of Hitler’s regime in 1938. The title encapsulates Sigmund’s obstinate refusal to acknowledge the dangerous situation unfolding around him, embodying his unwavering optimism amidst adversity.

Spanning generations, the story transports readers through time as Sigmund’s descendants grapple with the echoes of the past and its profound impact on their lives. Seventy years later, the mantle falls upon Sigmund’s great-granddaughter, Deborah. Fueled by a deep sense of familial duty and armed with revelations from preserved letters and historical documents, she embarks on a profound journey to fulfill Sigmund’s mission.

“As I confront the haunting echoes of the past and unearth buried truths, readers are left to ponder: Will I be successful in completing his lifelong quest?” says Holman.

With over two decades of experience in genealogy and storytelling, Holman brings a unique perspective to her writing, seamlessly blending meticulous research with heartfelt narratives. Her expertise shines through in “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen,” crafting a story that is both historically rich and deeply personal.

Holman skillfully weaves together threads of history, loss, and familial duty, inviting readers to reflect on their own sense of worth and resilience. Readers will be captivated by this tale of perseverance and the transformative power of recognizing one’s intrinsic worth, making “Nothing Really Bad Will Happen” a must-read for fans of historical fiction and family sagas alike.

For more information about Deborah S. Holman and her upcoming release, visit www.nothingreallybadwillhappen.com

**About Deborah S. Holman:**

Deborah S. Holman is a seasoned chronicler of stories and genealogist with a passion for storytelling. Currently residing in Woodbury, Connecticut, Holman is deeply committed to preserving and sharing personal and collective histories.

For media inquiries, interviews, or review copies, please contact Deborah S. Holman at deborah.holman@sbcglobal.net or (###) ###-####.

### END ###

So far, I’ve only sent the release to three local newspapers, but I plan to contact local libraries, genealogy societies, and of course, I’ll use social media to share the news.

It’s strange not to be writing or editing, but I’m ready for the next milestone—March 12, when the book goes live!! Thanks for joining me on this adventure! I hope you’ve enjoyed my ramblings… and maybe even learned something along the way!