Review and Interview: Launch That Book by Tammy Karasek

On By vickleaIn Author Q and A, Book Promo, Book Review, Scripture4 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9798993446813

Publisher:Tammy Karasek, LLC

Publication date:12/09/2025

Edition description:2nd ed.

Pages:164

Launch that Book will take you from stress to success in getting your book into the hands of those who need it. Tammy Karasek walks authors through a pragmatic management approach as she educates, equips, and encourages in getting the most mileage out of the book launch process.

Learn step-by-step

∙ how to gather a team

∙ exactly what to do with your team

∙ when and how to say farewell

Plus, so much more. (From Amazon)

My Thoughts

This book gives new meaning to the phrase “step by step guide” since the author does a thorough and tremendous job of including all of the steps any author will need to successfully launch a book. With details that are relayed in bullet points and examples, the book is an excellent resource for authors who want to form a launch team, manage that launch team and make inroads into the marketing world by following the author’s expert and sage advice. The tips are practical, tested and proven to work so that any author, debut or published for years, can follow the advice, launch a book and not be stressed about all of the minutiae of doing so since it is all laid out so clearly here. Every author needs a copy of this book and every friend of an author should make sure that they have a copy of this invaluable resource.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author


Tammy uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, is the driving force of her passion to always encourage and inspire others and give them The Reasonto smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a Tickled Pink life as she believes there is always a giggle wanting to come out! And desires that for others as well. For more information about Tammy, visit her website: https://tammykarasek.com/about-tammy/

Questions and Answers with Tammy

  1. Where did you get the idea to write a book about launching books? This is an easy question – I can’t be everywhere to teach authors and I can’t do everyone’s launch management for them. But I so want to teach authors how they can rid themselves of the stress of what to do with some tried and proven results of having a good book launch.
  1. What is the number one takeaway that you want authors to know after reading your book?

  YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

  1. Of all of the advice and practical tips you give in your book, which one is the absolute best one, in your opinion?

Hmmm, one? ALL! HaHa! I went with a “one word answer!” But if I had to select only one tip, I think it would have to be to have the courage to do a  launch team. With having Launch that Book on your reference shelf, you have the template of how to do your first launch team. As you write the next  book, you’ll use it again, but tweak it for your liking, but you’ll have the steps of when and why to get you started.

  1. If you could tell a debut author one thing about launching a book, what would you advise them and why?

Don’t assume your publisher is going to help you with a launch or your marketing. This will be on you whether you traditionally publish or  self-publish. So don’t ignore the opportunity to have a team help you spread the word of your book’s release.

  1. What is the most difficult part about launching a book? How does your book make that process less burdensome?

When and where to start. I give you a timeline breakdown of what to do, when to do and how to do all the things!

  1. Why do you think that authors need a launch team? 

As an author, we can only tell so many people within our circle. But when we recruit a team to spread the news, we now reach into circles we  would never have been able to reach. 

  1. How many books have you helped to successfully launch as the “launch geek”? Since 2012, I have participated in over 400 launch teams. As The Launch Team Geek, I have helped or managed over 50.
  1. Is your book best suited for only new authors?  No. It is written for any author wanting to have a launch team for the release of their book. 
  2. Is there anything else you want your readers to know about your book or your experience with launching books?  From the years of experience I’ve had on teams or managing teams, the more you educate your launch team members as to why you are doing certain tasks (like reviews), teach them how to do those tasks, and encourage them by letting them know you are seeing their actions, the better your launch will run. My book was written from my heart to help any author overcome the stress and fear of doing a launch team. My goal was to educate, equip and encourage the author on how to manage a launch team so they can turn around and educate, equip and encourage their team to help them have a successful launch of their book. And the next, and next, and next!!

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

With much appreciation to Tammy Karasek and with a big recommendation to get this book if you are even considering writing and publishing one yourself!

God Wants Us To Find Him

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/63688/day/5

This devotional is so meaningful to me because I have many family members who have not found the light.They aren’t even looking for it because they are content with the darkness all around them. In fact, many ar part of that darkness. So, this Christmas season, as God’s gift to the world is once more revealed with the bright lights of the season, I am praying for my family who lives in darkness to find the light. After all, God is not hiding. He wants to be found.

Remembering, Never Forgetting

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Remember What God Has Done (Daily Refresh, 12-11-25)

Remembering what God has done is an important part of Jewish worship…

After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He instructed the people to remember His words. He told them to diligently teach His commands, and to talk about them in their houses, when they walked, when they were lying down, and when they got up in the morning (Deuteronomy 6:7). 

The Israelites were told to constantly remember what God had done, who God was, and what He had said. 

And so, in Psalm 85:2, the Psalmist engages in an act of remembrance by reflecting on God’s forgiveness: 

“You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.” (ESV)
 
The Israelites had sinned against God many times, and many times over God forgave them. The author of Psalm 85 didn’t want Israel to forget God’s great kindness, so he crafted a Psalm that would remind anyone who repeated it of God’s mercy, forgiveness, power, and love. 

The Psalmist appeared to know that purposefully remembering what God has done is a powerful practice—a powerful practice that we should take part in. 

– Remembrance helps us think about the grace and love of God. 
– Remembrance provides reassurance that we are right with God through Jesus. 
– Remembrance fills us with hope that God will be faithful to do what He’s promised. 
– Remembrance strengthens our faith in God and His Word. 
– Remembrance helps us worship God for what He has done and all that He will do.

Developing a practice of remembrance will keep our minds fixed on God, and keep our hearts connected to His grace.

So what are some of the things you can purposefully reflect on and thank God for? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

– Remember He sent His one and only son to die for the sins of the world. 
– Remember He created the world, and praise Him for it. 
– Remember He has filled you with His Holy Spirit to remind you of His words and transform you into the likeness of Jesus. 
– Remember the grace and love He has for you.

My Thoughts

This merry holiday season is a time of remembrance for most of us. We remember past Christmas times when loved ones who are no longer with us were there, enjoying time with us and other family members. We remember special gifts we have given and received. We remember the good times, reflect on the bad times and press forward to create new memories.

We can never forget what God had already done for us, even as we come into His presence and make our petitions to Him. He has already sent His Son to die for us and provided eternal life. In remembering the sacrifice He made during this season of great joy, it isn’t just the baby in the manger that draws my attention. It is the cross and the light and the angels singing and the sky getting dark. All are for remembering. I remember where I came from, knowing that I haven’t arrived at the place God wants me to be, but I am not where I was over fifty years ago. Remembering is a way to honor God, but it is also a way to keep us humble as we ponder all that God has done for us and are thankful for His presence in our lives and the presents He gives us daily of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love.

I love Christmas, but my favorite holiday will always be Easter since that is Resurrection Day. That is the day that reminds me that I, too, will one day be resurrected into new life, a life that I cannot imagine but I know that God will provide it for me because He promised it. Remembering God’s promises helps me to keep moving forward even in the hard times. Holding on to the reminders of His faithfulness is the best way that I can think of to not lose sight of the goal of eternity with Him, regardless of what life throws at us. Remembering helps us but it also helps the doubters around us, as we share our testimony of all that God has already done for us.

I had an online friend today do a LOL symbol when I said that I was trusting God not to have surgery on my rotator cuff. She said she has never seen anyone get better with that problem without having surgery. My reply was that God is a big God who has never failed me. If He decides that it is best for me to have surgery, then He will be with me through all of the procedure and rehab. If not, then He will heal and restore me because He is, after all, the Great Physician. I believe because I remember.

Look What the Lord Has Done-The Gaithers

We Can’t Hide from God

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

Do you think that you have a secret place in your heart that you can keep hidden from God? Do you sometimes try to sneak away and do something that you know the Father would not approve of and assume He is so busy with the world’s problems that He won’t notice little you? Wrong on both counts! God always sees, is always watching you, listening for your voice. He loves each of us so much that, just like Adam and Eve, we cannot hide. When life gets tough, we may want to hide away from God, thinking He must have forgotten us or just given up on us. He never does and he never will. He set the standard in the Garden of Eden right after Adam and Eve sinned and hid. It was God who called, “Where are you?” Are you hearing that question today? You may as well answer because God is relentless in His quest to meet you right where you are.

Immanuel-God With Us

On By vickleaIn prayer, Scripture2 Comments

This prayer is part of my devotional today and I really needed it to remind me of God’s constant presence. Life keeps throwing darts at me and so far, I have been able to dodge them, but honestly, I am weary.

Yesterday, I had to return to Ortho Virginia because of a shoulder problem that has been building for the last month. It has gotten so painful that I cannot extend my right arm, either forward or up without excruciating pain. When the doctor checked me yesterday and had me do all kinds of movement that hurt as well as pressing in places that almost caused me to defend myself, he concluded that I have a problem with my rotator cuff. He cannot say definitely that there is a tear because I have not had an MRI yet, but he did say the symptoms point to that as the issue. I received a steroid injection and a referral for physical therapy for the next six weeks.

While I was doing my deep breathing to get through the injection into the bone of my shoulder, I was thinking to myself, “Seriously, God. I have only been out of the boot for a fractured foot for less than a month and now my shoulder is giving me problems. I mean, really. Couldn’t we face this particular battle another time?” God didn’t speak audibly, but He continues to speak to my heart that He is walking this valley with me. He hasn’t gone anywhere, but He has stepped closer to me, to comfort me during the diagnosis, the injection and the feeling of absolute despondency.

God has never walked away from me, as He so lovingly reminded me yesterday and again this morning in this prayer. And since He doesn’t play favorites, He hasn’t walked away from you, either. He is right there, waiting to answer your prayers and to be by your side until whatever the battle that is taking place in your life is over. There will always be a battle to fight, but the good news is, there is always God there to protect you, heal you, comfort you and reassure you of His presence.

God, The Promise Keeper

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

God Keeps His Promises (Daily Refresh, 12-09)

“’The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.” 
Jeremiah 33:14 NIV

A lot of people would have laughed at Jeremiah when he said these words. Why? Because it seemed like God had abandoned both Israel and Judah. 

At this point in the story of the Bible, Israel is gone—wiped out by an invading army. Now Judah is alone, and another massive army is at their gates to destroy them too. The situation couldn’t have been more hopeless. 

Have you ever experienced a moment like that? Maybe it was a life-changing loss, or impossibly difficult news. In those painful moments, it can feel impossible to trust God’s promises. The people listening to Jeremiah probably felt the same way. But it wasn’t the end of their story because circumstances can’t ruin God’s promises. 

Yes, the enemy broke in and took God’s people into captivity for decades. But God didn’t abandon His people or give up on His promises. Over time, He rescued His people from captivity and brought them back home. 

God hasn’t abandoned you in your pain either. You might feel like there’s no way out of your situation, or that your choices disqualify you from God’s love. But God keeps His promises. 

For generations after returning from captivity, God’s people struggled. They continued to face heartbreak, setbacks, invasions, and captivity. But when they least expected it, God fulfilled His promise. He sent His son, Jesus, to lead everyone, including the people of Israel and Judah, into a new and better future. 

God’s promise of a better future applies to you, too. When we pursue God with our whole lives, we find peace, strength, and contentment. And we live with confidence knowing that one day, we’ll get to spend eternity with Jesus. We have new life believing that God has fulfilled His promise.

My Thoughts

One of my memory verses for this year has been Numbers 23:19, which says that “God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Has He not said and will He not make it good? Has He spoken and will he not do it?” I have pondered and pondered that verse and I always conclude that I cannot find a single circumstance in the Bible or in my life in which God did not keep His promises. When God says He will punish, He does. When He says He will reward, He does. When things look the bleakest, God is still there, carrying out His plan and His promises because He is a Promise Keeper.

Christmas is the season for joy, hope, and giving. God gave and we accept. We like the lights, the decorations, the gifts coming in the mail or under the tree. But pause and think about what it cost our Heavenly Father to keep His promise of redemption. He sent his ONLY Son, the One who had been with Him from creation, to us as a babe born into lowly circumstances and sent to minister to a doubting and needy world. God keeps His promises, always. If God says it, you can count on it happening. Probably not when you think it will come. After all, there was four hundred years of silence from the prophets before Jesus was born. Probably not how you think it will come. The people to whom Jesus came expected a warrior to free them from Rome. What they got was a Savior to free them from sin and offer them the gift of eternal life. God’s promises are fulfilled in a way that is better than we expected and more than we hoped for. He is a Promise Keeper who shows us the way to Him. Waiting for a promise is hard, but if it is coming from God, the wait will be worth it!

What Is Your Daily Focus?

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

What’s Inside of You? (Daily Refresh, 12-08)

Have you ever made a poor decision and thought, “Why did I do that?” 

In the Old Testament, the heart was considered the center of inner life, and people believed it dictated thoughts, emotions, and actions. It was essentially a combination of someone’s soul and mind. 

When Proverbs 4:23 tells us to “guard our hearts,” what it’s essentially saying is to pay careful attention to how you fill your inner life. 

What goes into your soul and mind determines what comes out of your mouth. And what you say influences your actions and decisions. While you might not notice the effect your choices have on you today—over time, they will impact the direction of your life.    

So how do we intentionally take care of our inner lives? 

Our bodies were made by God, which means the thing they need most is God. He is the One who sustains us. So some of the best things we can do for ourselves is to intentionally seek God through prayer, studying Scripture, reflecting on His blessings, and inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to us throughout our day. 

The best way to guard our hearts is by giving our hearts to God. When we make Him the center of our lives and the source of our strength, what we do will flow out from Him. 

So instead of fitting God into our daily routines, let’s create our daily routines around our relationship with God. Let’s create space for God to speak to us and restore us. Let’s allow God to heal the parts of our lives that are broken—so that what comes out of us is good, encouraging, and leads to an abundant, joy-filled life.

My Thoughts

I think that the most important sentence in the devotional is the one I emboldened at the end, “So instead of fitting God into our daily routines, let’s create our daily routines around our relationship with God.” All too frequently, I have a plan for the day before I even get out of bed. Time with God is part of that plan, but sometimes I am disrupted in my plan and I get irate, because I had a plan that is not going the way I think it should. A relationship with God, not just a daily rote devotional time with Him, is what is most important. Yes, the devotional time is a priority, but it is not the thing that keeps me in touch with God. That is my daily plugging in before I even get out of bed, talking to God, thanking Him for my rest and telling Him what my plans are and asking for His help to get things done.

I went into the kitchen to make a chai for our granddaughter this morning, reaching over and turning the machine on. But, no lights came on to indicate it was ready to go to work. I belatedly realized that I had not plugged it in yet. The connection to the electricity in the house made the Keurig work just fine. And my connection to God every day helps me to work the way I should, too.

I just returned from a visit to my sister in NC. She has macular degeneration so doesn’t see well, arthritis so she doesn’t move well and a bad attitude about life in general. I did all I could to help while I was there, making the meals, bringing her items she needed and cleaning up. But instead of gratitude, I got yelled at every day about something small, like putting a pot holder on the counter with the four coffee makers she has. Who knew that “nothing goes on the counter with the coffee makers”? After three days of that, I was fed up and ready to go home, knowing that I would be leaving in just two more days. Then the weather forecast for snow back home changed my plans. I was distraught to say the least, not happy that I had to stay an extra day with someone so negative and grumpy. On Thursday night, after a long day of her being the same as usual, I went to my bedroom and as I fell exhausted into bed, I asked God to help me get through one more day. The Holy Spirit gently reminded me to be compassionate and patient with her, showing me clearly how lonely her life is every day without friends or human contact except occasionally. With that in mind, I prayed for a good day and a change to witness to her. It was amazing the next morning when for the first time all week, she thanked me for making the meals the whole time. She never said thank you, so that was a minor miracle to me. Then we spent the day chatting and enjoying each other’s company. The negativity was still there, but it wasn’t the focus. The time together was what was important. God’s Spirit had me focus on what her life was like and to treat her the way Jesus would have if he were the one with her for that extra day. When one of her coffee makers didn’t work right, I assisted in getting the serial number off the back. She couldn’t read it so I took a screenshot so she could make it larger and talk to customer service to troubleshoot. While she talked to them, I prayed silently that all would work out, and it did! The coffee maker started working again and she was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t that hard to troubleshoot. The whole day was kind of like that. She had a problem and I tried to work it out with her. At one point, she was almost hyperventilating and sobbing with the stress of a particular problem. I told her to take a deep breath, exhale slowly and say a short prayer for help. She didn’t say anything to me about my advice, but she did stop crying and started thinking rationally again.

I know absolutely that I did not have answers for her but God did and He had prepared me to help out that day by reminding me to have compassion and patience. If I had not kept myself plugged into Him during my visit, I would have missed the opportunity to be a helper and a witness.. We never know what chances we miss out on to help others if we are self-focused instead of God-focused. I had been so busy feeling bad for myself that I had to spend an extra day with Grumpy and Thankless that I would have missed it. I thank the Lord that He knew what my sister needed as well as what I needed and His small voice in my heart was just what I needed to hear to not just make it through the last day with my sister but to actually enjoy it. My heart was full of love when I left instead of anger and feeling taking advantage of, as I had all week, pressing down my emotions in order to try to continue to help her. I think God answered my prayer in a miraculous and unexpected way, a way that can only come with a heart focused on serving God. I found out the hard way that I am nowhere close to perfect, but when I humble myself before the Father, He takes me and uses me for His good plan. He is not just fitting into my routine; He is the center of it!

Permission to Sit in God’s Presence

On By vickleaIn encouragement, Scripture, testimony2 Comments

Closer that You Think (Daily Refresh, 12-06)

In one unsuspecting moment, everything can change.

A relationship can shatter, a dream can suddenly end. Your heart can break for a million different reasons: grief, rejection, loneliness, uncertainty, tragedy, betrayal.

When something terrible happens and the world makes zero sense…

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 
Psalm 34:18 NLT

David, the writer of Psalm 34, preached what he lived. He experienced some intense highs and fierce lows, but he recognized God’s presence in the midst of his circumstances. He knew that God was near, and God could change any situation in an instant.

Is your heart broken? Is your spirit crushed?

God is near.
He hasn’t left you to fight for yourself.
He sees you in your heartbreak.
He meets you where you are.
He has not forgotten you.
He has not abandoned you.

This doesn’t mean you won’t face hard things. But even when your mind races and your heart doubts, God offers a peace and an intimacy that cannot be fully explained.

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we now have constant access to God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. There are many places in the Bible where the Holy Spirit is described as the Comforter—ready to soothe, guide, counsel, and encourage. 

The comfort we receive from God is a gift from His Spirit who is always with us. So if your heart is breaking and your spirit is crushed, know that you are in good hands. God is near, and He will not abandon you.

Trials and hardships are a part of life, but God has the final say.

Right now, take a few moments to name anything that has crushed your spirit. Then, give yourself permission to just sit in God’s presence for a few moments. When you’re ready, consider memorizing today’s verse and meditate on it throughout your day.

My Thoughts

Everyone has been through tough times in life. When I was a young married mom, my family in Virginia disappeared. Yes. They disappeared. They packed up and left town in the middle of the night and I had no idea where they were for over two years. My mom, my dad, my two brothers who were 19 and 13 and my five year-old sister. Gone! My husband and I rushed to Virginia after my grandmother’s frantic call that they were leaving, but they were gone. There was a warrant for my father’s arrest and they were in hiding somewhere. The FBI questioned me. I was overwhelmed with grief and filled with questions.

What kept me going? God’s presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. At that time, we were scheduled to go to Youth with a Mission in the fall, so we went there, with my family missing and feeling lost, I went. There, I immersed myself in God’s Word and got through that hard time. I cannot tell you how because it is all a foggy period of my life. But when I got a letter from my mother over two years later, I rejoiced to be able to reunite with my family again.

God is there in the hard times, in the good times, in all the times. We have to accustom ourselves to spending time in His presence to know with certainty that He is there for us. He will make Himself known and be close to you just as He was close to me then and in all of the other times I have called out to Him. God is no respecter of persons and I am a witness to the power and comfort He brings in the hardest times of life.

FedEx Follies

On By vickleaIn Funny Story4 Comments

So, let me share this hilarious-to-me customer service story. When I got home to Virginia today, I got a notification from FedEx that a package was delivered at 5:21 p.m. Harry checked the porch and the red car and no package. So I checked the tracking number to get a photo. The package was left under two trees…in a yard somewhere, but not ours. Harry drove to the neighbor (the one who has never threatened us, noting that we only have two neighbors) and she doesn’t have two trees with a package under it either. So, I investigated and found out that the package is medication from Walmart (OTC, of course).

I talked to Harold at customer service who said to give him two days to coordinate with FedEx. I asked him to make sure that the FedEx driver knows not to leave packages under unknown trees. He laughed and said, “Yes, ma’am. I am making a note that you are neither a dog nor a bird and do not look for packages under trees.” ROTFL 🤪

Nope…not me!