The 3 Worst and Best Times to Publish a Book: A Guide to Book Publishing Seasons

Timing is everything when it comes to publishing a book… but most times, authors get it wrong. Too many writers assume a great book will sell no matter when it’s released. Spoiler alert: that’s not how it works. The truth is, launching your book at the wrong time can kill it before it even gets out of the gate. Writing, publishing, and marketing a book is already overwhelming. If you don’t consider book publishing seasons, you’re making it even harder on yourself.

So, when is the best time to publish a book? And when should you avoid it? In this guide, we’ll break down the three main seasons in publishing and help you determine the viable time to launch your book.

When is The Best Time to Publish Your Book?

Publishing a book at the right time is anything but a shot in the dark. It’s a deliberate decision that can either propel your success or leave you stuck. Visit any bookstore and you’ll see that the books on the shelves aren’t just thrown up there. They’re carefully chosen to match the mood of the season, the trends that are really taking off what readers are hungry for at that very moment, and understanding book publishing seasons is key.

You might have noticed how cozy mysteries and horror novels start flying off the shelves in the fall. Self-help and fitness books tend to dominate in January. That’s no accident, it’s only smart publishing. The right month, season, and even week can put your book in the spotlight or leave it collecting dust.

Understanding release timings for your book is the key to success – read more regarding the seasons of book publishing to help you further navigate your book launch journey.

January

The first quarter of the year is supposed to be the best time for business, self-improvement, health, and writing craft books—after all, people are trying to stick to their New Year’s resolutions, right? The only exception, however, is children’s books; if you’re a children’s book author, wait until the second quarter.

Parents have just spent all their holiday money, and their wallets are hurting. They’re not exactly eager to buy more books for their kids when school is back in full swing and there’s no room for “fun” reading. But don’t just take my word for it—timing is everything, and it’s clear that pushing children’s books in the first quarter is a surefire way to watch them collect dust on the shelves. It’s a strategy that might just make your release a costly mistake.

February

If your book is about love, February is hands down the time to go for it. Why? Because the world is obsessed with romance during Valentine’s season.

It’s like the universe is conspiring to make it the best month for love books, whether it’s a collection of lyric ballads, a steamy romance novel, or even a beautiful book of dreamy photos of romantic cities like Paris. But here’s the secret no one wants to admit: if you’re not using February for a love book, you’re missing out. The publishing world knows this.

October

The world is in full-on spooky, eerie, and macabre mode, and if you’re a horror author, this is your time to shine. If your book doesn’t tie into a popular franchise or isn’t backed by a major studio, you could be swallowed up in the sea of horror releases.

But here’s where book publishing seasons come into play—timing is everything. Halloween is great for horror books, but it’s also a minefield. If you want to ride the wave of holiday horror hype, just be aware you’ll need to be pretty unique. A generic horror book? It’ll get lost in the hundreds of others. But if you have something new, something that grabs the imagination, then Halloween could be your jackpot.

When Not to Hit “Publish”

We’ve covered some of the best times to publish your book, but knowing when NOT to hit that “publish” button is just as important. Choosing the wrong moment to publish your book can do more damage than waiting for a better window. What seems like the perfect time to launch could turn into a missed opportunity if you’re not considering the bigger picture, like market saturation, competition, and audience distractions.

December

The holiday season is the one time of year when the book market really goes into overdrive. That might make you think it’s the perfect moment to publish your book—but actually, it’s one of the most treacherous. (And that’s being kind.) You’re up against a tidal wave of holiday-themed releases, all vying for the same space on the shelves. Established authors and big-name publishers swamp the market with their holiday titles, making it almost impossible for your book to get noticed, and that’s just the reality of book publishing seasons.

July

The truth that no one wants to admit is that July is actually one of the worst months to publish a book if you want to make an impact. It may seem like a great time to release your book in the summer, but the market is quieter than you think. People are on vacation, distracted by travel or just soaking up the sun, and have little time or mental space for new books.

The book publishing seasons don’t lie: July isn’t when people are looking for new reads. It’s a time when most people are preoccupied with other things in life, and your well-timed release can get lost in the noise.

November

November is like December in that it’s a tough month to release a book, and here’s the brutal truth: it’s a disaster for authors who want to make a splash. It’s the calm before the holiday shopping storm, but it’s also when the big publishers dump their big books into the market to cash in on the holiday rush.

If you’re serious about making an impact, then make sure to pay attention when a guide to publishing seasons warns you against this month.

Summing Up….

Understanding book publishing seasons… and when to release your book—is what sets successful authors apart from the rest. October is a great time for holiday-related books, while spring is ideal for fresh, new titles. December, July, and November, on the other hand, are the worst times to publish. That’s when the market gets overwhelmed with other releases, and your book can easily get overlooked.

Timing the release just right can tip the scale between the book being completely ignored versus getting the attention it deserves. Therefore, it is worth leaping over any hurdles and strategically combining the right seasons to propel the book in front of as many readers as possible for a chance at success.