Why do I keep asking you to preorder my book?

That’s a great question.

Ultimately, I’d love for you to buy my book whenever. Now. On its publication date a few weeks from now. Three months from now. Five years from now. You get the idea.

But to explain why I’m pushing preorders so hard, you’ll need to know a bit about the inner workings of the publishing industry.

Publishers love it when their authors’ books receive early attention. It indicates that the public is excited about the title and eager to get their hands on it. So excited and eager, in fact, that they may even spread the word to other folks, or buy multiple copies, or request it from their local library.

When publishers see solid preorders, they’re more likely to do a few things:

• Provide more attention and support to the author

• Spend more money promoting the book

• Give the author another book deal (!)

Of course, preorders won’t guarantee any of that—but they help. And yes, it is harder for debut authors to get preorders because they have a smaller platform! That’s why preordering a book is one of the best ways you can support any author, not just me.

Remember: If you preorder My Parents Are Dead: What Now? A Panic-Free Guide to the Practicalities of Death and submit your receipt, I’ll send you a free copy of “In the Hole,” my original funeral-planning game. It’s more fun than it sounds. Details here.