When Is the Best Time to Launch a Book? Here’s What 700+ Bestsellers Taught Us

When it comes to launching a book, timing matters—a lot. While there’s never a “perfect” moment to share your message with the world, choosing the right window can significantly boost your chances of visibility, engagement, and bestseller status.

At Transcendent Publishing, after supporting more than 700 bestselling book launches, one pattern has become clear: some months are consistently stronger than others.

Months to Avoid for Book Launches

July and August: July is often a difficult month to launch a book, largely due to Amazon Prime Days. These major sales events disrupt Amazon’s algorithm and skew sales rankings, not just during the promotion itself but for up to several weeks afterward. That disruption can seriously hinder your book’s momentum and visibility.

In addition, these months mark the height of summer in the U.S., when many people are traveling, on vacation, or generally disengaged from routine habits. That means your potential readers—and even your launch team—may not be as responsive or available.

December presents similar challenges, especially mid-month when Amazon typically runs a second round of Prime Days. But even without those, the holiday season brings its own distractions. Between holiday shopping, family gatherings, year-end travel, and general busyness, your audience’s attention is pulled in too many directions.

Launching during this time can mean limited engagement, lower sales, and a distracted support network.

So, When Should You Launch?

Based on extensive experience, the best months for a book launch tend to be:

• January through early June

• September through early November

These windows offer:

• Fewer online shopping distractions

• Higher reader engagement

• More availability and focus from your launch team

• A better chance of climbing the bestseller charts

During these months, readers are back in routines, paying attention, and open to engaging with new content.

Timing Isn’t Everything, But It’s Close

While a well-timed launch won’t guarantee bestseller success on its own, it can make a significant difference. With all the effort that goes into writing and publishing your book, why not give it the best possible chance to succeed?

At Transcendent Publishing, we help authors strategically plan and execute successful book launches from start to finish, including selecting the optimal launch window based on your goals, genre, and target audience. Our proven launch process spans 4 to 6 weeks and includes a presale campaign, advanced reader outreach for Amazon reviews, and a bestseller-focused marketing strategy designed to maximize visibility and sales.

Schedule a consultation today to learn how we can support your successful launch.