A launch is not a single day. It is a few weeks of preparation, one busy stretch and a longer period of steady effort. No checklist can promise sales, but a sensible plan gives your book the best chance of being noticed by the right readers. Use this one as a starting point and adapt it to your genre.

Eight to twelve weeks before release

  • Finish editing, proofreading and formatting so that files are final.
  • Settle the cover, title and subtitle, and write a clear book description.
  • Choose keywords and categories that match what your readers actually browse.
  • Set up an author website with an email sign-up form.
  • Write a short list of people who might genuinely enjoy an advance copy.

Four to eight weeks before release

Build early interest

Share the cover, a short excerpt and the story behind the book. Invite readers to join your mailing list for launch news. Be honest and personal; readers respond to real enthusiasm more than to hype.

Prepare advance copies

Send advance copies to readers who might like the book and ask, politely, for an honest review. Never pay for reviews or ask for only positive ones, since this breaks platform rules and damages trust.

The final two weeks

  • Order a printed proof and check it carefully.
  • Schedule social posts, emails and any video such as a book trailer.
  • Prepare graphics and a short press-style blurb you can reuse.
  • Confirm that your ebook and paperback listings are ready and linked.

Launch week

Announce the book to your email list first, since these are your warmest readers. Post on the channels you actually use, thank people who share it and answer every comment. Check your listing for errors and keep a note of what you tried.

The weeks after release

  1. Keep asking happy readers for honest reviews, one at a time.
  2. Share reader feedback and short quotes from the book.
  3. Review what worked and drop what did not.
  4. Plan your next small push, such as a price change, a new edition or an audiobook.

Keep expectations realistic

Most books grow slowly, and results vary widely by genre, topic and effort. Treat the launch as the beginning of a long conversation with readers. If you want a plan built for your own book, our book marketing service can help you prepare one.