4 Proven Successful Book Launch Timelines
Book Launches. As I said in part one of this two-part series, they come is as many flavors as there are authors, depending on the author’s timing, budget and even purpose. Purpose, you might ask? Is this a debut novel launch for a first-time author? The launch will certainly roll out differently than one for a series that is being rapid released.
But just as there are some foundational strategies to every launch, if you study author’s launch timelines, you will find a lot of overlap, especially the closer to actual launch day you get.
So here are a few launch timelines that have been published and shared by some of my favorite experts, followed by a timeline recommendation of my own. I hope you find them helpful.
Debbie Macomber: Six Months, Six Books, Traditional Publishing
Bestselling author Debbie Macomber has been launching books successfully long enough to have tested what works and what doesn’t and she uses a six-month book launch checklist that she shared with Bookbub.
Pre-launch includes: At 6-months she posts a cover reveal and synopsis to her website, email her list about the upcoming book and updates her author profile. At 3-months, Debbie creates bonus content and artwork, creates giveaways for Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) and shares early reviews in marketing materials. This is also when she sends ARCs to major publications. At 1-month pre-launch, Debbie pumps up her social media including countdown social posts, Pinterest boards and book trailers.
Launch day Debbie sends a newsletter, updates her social media headers and posts celebratory social posts and then after the launch she runs multi-author promotions, book tours, giveaways, and ongoing she’ll celebrate with her readers.
What can you take away for your launch from Debbie?
SELF PUBLISHING ROADMAP’S 2 MONTHS, GUESTING
Joel Friedlander of Self Publishing Roadmap used a different approach and timeline for launches than Debbie, relying more on guest posting and podcasts. In only two month’s he suggests a complete launch rollout.
Two months before launch he recommends you plan your email campaign, put out your requests for reviews and start posting on social media. Note, this is a full month sooner than Debbie is on social media, just for comparison. This is also when Joel suggests you design your giveaways, write guest posts and begin booking with media.
One month before your launch, Self Publishing Roadmap recommends you start submitting those guest posts, decide if you will use KDP Select (see my wide or KDP blog post here) and send out invites for your launch event—yep, you read that right. There is a launch event in this rollout.
In the next few weeks, this launch timeline includes continuous emails and arranging or beginning blog posts, podcasts, and blog tours. Ideally, you will kick these all off with an event on launch day itself, which is announced with a lot of social media.
Jami Albright Does the Ninety Day Launch
Romance writer Jami Albright, author of Running from a Rock Star and one of my favorite authors, wrote a countdown to launch that she did in only 90 days, perfect for people like me, who wait too long to get started on their launch.
Three months before launch day she put her latest romance on Goodreads, suggesting you can do the same with a temporary cover if necessary. Then one month later she did a romance specific release blitz. Jami used Give me Books.
At 21-days, Jami posted teasers, at two-weeks she did a cover reveal and giveaway on social media, put the book up for preorder and sent ARC copies on to her Advanced Reader Team. Note, there is nothing here about building her advanced reader team because Jami is already a successful author. Likewise, there is nothing about building an email list. Obviously, a first time author can’t skip those steps and expect a plan like Jami’s to succeed the first time they attempt it.
Ten days before until release day, Jami posted a countdown with a catchy graphic like this one and she ASKED for likes, shares, and comments. So many of us forget to ask our readers for help when we need it. Jami asked her readers to make the book at TBR on Goodreads or add it to their Bookbub wishlist. Smart!
The week of the launch Jami got those ARC copies to her early readers and set up a Goodreads giveaway, looking for early reviews and momentum. She kept that going on launch day with an Amazon gift card giveaway and advertising and followed up after the launch with her email list.
Maddy’s 90-Day Book Launch Timeline – Wishlist and Realist
Having studied these and so many other launch timelines, and knowing myself what I can and cannot get done ahead of time, here is my own recommended 90-day launch timeline. It’s a combination wishlist and realism, with a limited budget.
This assumes I already have a list and a plan to keep building my list regularly. That’s important because I will use that list to build an ARC team.
60-90 Days Lay the Foundation
- Finalize launch date and distribution platforms (Amazon, IngramSpark, etc.)
- Build your launch team (beta readers, ARC readers, influencers)
- Prepare media kit (book blurb, author bio, headshot, cover image)
- Update website book page
- Plan your content calendar for emails and social posts
- Decide and if appropriate set up your pre-order
- Create a teaser campaign (e.g. quotes, aesthetic reels, character intros)
- Reach out to book bloggers/bookstagrammers for potential features
30-60 Days Build Anticipation
- Send ARCs to your launch team and early reviewers
- Begin pre-order promo (if available: run giveaways or offer bonus content)
- Announce your book publicly with a launch date
- Start countdown posts (e.g. “60 days until…”)
- Secure guest blog posts, podcast interviews, or local media coverage
- Schedule and draft newsletter content for the next month
- Set up Goodreads page and add your book to relevant lists
- Start scheduling ads (Facebook, Amazon, BookBub if budget allows)
0-30 Days Before Launch Hype the Book and Engage
- Host a cover reveal (or repost if already done)
- Post book quotes, character art, and sneak peeks
- Schedule your virtual launch party or in-person event
- Send reminder to ARC readers for reviews
- Start TikTok/Instagram reels with bookish trends
- Offer newsletter-exclusive bonus (like a deleted scene or extra chapter)
- Run multi-author promotions and swaps
- Confirm logistics: ebook and print files uploaded, distribution checked
Launch Week Celebrate, and keep the momentum going.
- Launch Day! Post everywhere: socials, newsletter, book groups
- Engage and ask for comments, shares, and DMs all week
- Ask for reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub
- Run a limited-time promo or giveaway
- Share user-generated content (screenshots, reels, unboxings)
- Go live or do a story Q&A about the book
- Thank your launch team and ARC readers publicly
7–30 Days After Launch Sustain Interest, Build long-term fans
- Send follow-up newsletter with thank-you note and next steps
- Offer sneak peek of your next book
- Reshare great reviews or influencer shoutouts
- Submit to contests or book review sites
- Multi-author promos and swaps, ads where budget allows
- Plan long-term content (monthly newsletters, fan Q&A, exclusive shorts)