It’s almost time for my book launch!

I was thinking about ways to promote it, and I figured that the café bar where I’m holding the event hosts a comedy show on Tuesday evenings. So one day, I decided to drop by and ask the organiser if I could quickly mention my book launch — or if he could do it for me. It wouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

I was sure he was going to say yes.

So my jaw dropped when I heard:

“No. Your book is depressing. I’m not going to talk about something depressing at a comedy show. The idea is to make people laugh, not cry.”

I immediately felt offended and took it personally. I wanted to leave the place and never go back. So I said, “It’s okay,” and started walking away.

However, before I left, I paused for a few minutes and looked at my book, From Lost to Empowered.

I knew it wasn’t depressing.

It’s about overcoming challenges and major transitions in life…

Even rejection! 😂

Yes. Rejection.

And then a thought hit me: If I go there just to ask for a favour, maybe I’m being unfair by expecting something in return.

I realised how opportunistic I was being. So I decided to go back, pay for the show, and enjoy it — just as I would have if I didn’t have a book launch to promote.

And I did.

During the show, the organiser even tried to mention my book a little. And then he offered me the opportunity to do my own comedy spot the following week, where I could also talk about my book launch.

So I thought about it…

And I took it as a challenge.

Could I make this topic funny?

I decided to give it a try.

And it was fun!

Maybe not the funniest spot of the evening 😂, but it was a great exercise in finding a different way to deliver the message I want to share — and showing the funny side of something that many people automatically associate with sadness.

I decided to take that lesson with me into my book launch.

I don’t want to make it sad or make people cry, even if it might provoke those emotions along the way.

I want to encourage a positive way of looking at difficult transitions: as opportunities to learn from life, improve, become better, laugh at our mistakes and failures, and keep moving forward.

Because once we go through the pain…

we can laugh about it at the end.

I love this way of delivering my message, and I’ll do my best to bring that spirit to the launch.

So, after one month of preparing everything, organising the event, and even crafting a little “comedy spot” as a way to promote my book and practise talking about it…

the time has finally arrived.

In just 2 days, I’ll be hosting my Book Launch Party in Düsseldorf, and I can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

If you cannot be there, I’ll be sure to keep you posted and share all the updates here soon!

And hey…

I promise, I’m not going to make you cry.

Unless you want to. 😂

Abrazo, 

Les