Last week, I discussed the two worst times to publish your book, so I thought I’d follow that up with the best times to publish.

The best times to publish your book are going to be dependent on several different factors, but in this post I’m going to focus on the two main ones:

• the genre and
• meaningful dates.

You also have to understand your audience to know the best time to publish your book. Specifically, when do your ideal readers typically buy or look for books in your genre? In other words, what are their buying habits?

The Best Times to Publish by Genre

Following are some examples to help you out. These are considered best times, but recognize that they aren’t absolutes. You can — and you should — market year round.

But when it comes to launching your book — the very first time that your book’s available to the public — you want to give it the biggest and best sendoff that you can.

I’ve categorized the best times to publish some of the most common genres of books by their relevant seasons or quarters of the year.

Business Books – Q3 and Q1

Quarter three is actually best so that reviews can gain traction leading up to the Christmas season, Late Q3 (August/September) is also when businesses are revisiting their annual plans to determine what’s been working and what hasn’t been working. Where do they often turn for new information? Newly released books.

This is a good time to point out that businesspeople are super busy and therefore many prefer audiobooks to listen on the go. Make sure you publish in as many formats as possible to meet your audience’s preferences.

Q1 (or even late Q4) is a good backup plan for your business book launch. This is the time of year entrepreneurs and executives make their New Year’s resolutions and consider their yearly business goals.

Fiction or travel books – Q2 and Q4

Take advantage of the summer beach read and travel season with Q2 and of course, the Christmas holiday season with early Q4.

Children’s books, devotionals, or general gift books – Q1 and Q4

Launching your book in Q1 enables you to take advantage of shoppers looking for meaningful Easter, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day gifts. Early Q4 (October or early November) for the Christmas season.

Yearly planners or daily planner – Q3 and Q4

The average individual typically buys planners in December and the beginning of the new year, but entrepreneurs and business leaders often begin planning in November.

So if you have any type of planner, try to publish in late September/early October so they’re available for everyone when they’re really seeking them in November and December.

Fitness, health, or self-development books – Q4 and Q2

You would want to publish in Q4 for those New Year’s buys. Early Q2 is also really good for fitness books. Why? Because everyone wants to improve their bodies in time for summer.

Again, these are just general ballparks about the best time to publish your book. Do additional research to determine what time of year would be best for your specific book.

Best Times to Publish by Meaningful Dates

Don’t let genres and broad seasons be the only barometer of when to publish. You also want to consider any personally meaningful dates.

For example, if you’re an entrepreneur and your business is approaching its five-year anniversary, you might consider publishing your book on that anniversary date. Or you might decide to publish on your birthday.

There’s nothing wrong with either of those dates, but I encourage you to also consider when people typically buy your genre of book. Your birthday might be perfect timing for you, but if it doesn’t coincide with the season your readers typically buy books, your launch sales might fall flat.

That’s not to say you won’t sell any books, but you want your book launch to be the best that it can be.

National Designations

Another time you might consider are those special days of the year that aren’t actual holidays, but days that honor random things.

For example, there’s National Donut Day. If you’re writing a book and you own a donut shop, National Donut Day might be a good day to launch your book.

Be creative and think outside the box while also taking into consideration the buying habits of your readers.

As you can see, there is no one, single best time to publish a book.

That’s actually a good thing, because you don’t want every author publishing on the same day. That would be a glut of information and too much competition.

Do your research and if you’re a Christian writer like me, pray about it. Invite God into the process, hear what He has to say, and follow His leading as to when you should publish your book.

Those are some of the best times to publish your book. I’d love to hear your feedback!

👇 Let me know in the comments what resonated with you or what has worked for you in the past! 👇

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