Your Publication Week Survival Guide: 33 Daily Actions to Boost Book Sales and Reviews
A day-by-day checklist to keep you organized, visible, and stress-free during your most important week as an author.
A successful launch is not about luck. It is about strategy, consistency, and connection. Where to start?
✈️ Why You Need a Launch Plan
Your launch week is not the time to “wing it.” If you want your book to get noticed, reviewed, and shared, you need a clear, actionable plan.
This guide breaks your publication week into daily, manageable steps so you know exactly what to do and when.
Think of it as your book’s flight plan, because a smooth takeoff requires a clear runway.
To be clear, don’t push yourself to do ALL THIRTY THREE THINGS. These are some suggestions. Take or leave!
💥 Shout-out to my exclusive advertising sponsor, the always-free Booklinker (universal book links—so helpful!), and the paid tool, GeniusLink. I love both💥 (affiliate link).
Want more help? Read this ⬇️
🥳 7 Days Before Launch: Build Anticipation
This week is about creating excitement and making your audience feel the book is already happening. 👏
Do This:
Email your list with launch date, preorder link (if you use Booklinker or GeniusLink, you’ll know where links originate and where they end up), and bonuses.
Don’t have a list yet? That’s okay. Start now (using Substack or an email newsletter provider such as MailerLite or Mailchimp).
Post a countdown on social media.
Share behind-the-scenes content, such as packaging ARCs or preparations for your launch party.
Check all retailer links for accuracy.
Double-check Amazon categories and keywords.
Remind your launch team to have reviews ready.
💡 Example: If you have a cozy mystery, post a “7 Days to Go” image with your main character’s favorite drink recipe to sip while reading their favorite new mystery!
🔗 Resource: Book Brush Countdown Templates (personal and business plans)
😊 5–6 Days Before Launch: Show Your Face
Readers connect with people, not just products.
Do This:
Record a short video introducing your book.
Share an excerpt or teaser image.
Pitch to last-minute bloggers or podcasts.
Schedule posts for launch week to focus on engagement.
💡 Example: Share a 30-second Instagram Reel or TikTok reading your first line and ask followers to guess what happens next. If you’re shy, show the book only but let readers hear your voice.
🔗 Resource: Canva Video Templates (free and paid plans)
‼️ 3–4 Days Before Launch: Build Urgency
Make your audience feel like something exciting is about to happen, and they need to be a part of it.
Do This:
Run a preorder giveaway. What to give away? Obviously, a copy of your book (signed if possible).
But don’t stop there: add a gift card (whatever amount you choose), a Kindle (you can purchase basic models on sale), or create a themed giveaway: e.g., for summer reading, win this handy beach set along with a signed copy (and/or a gift card).Share ARC (Advance Reader Copy) reader quotes as graphics.
Check in with your launch team.
Confirm media features are ready to go.
💡 Example: Offer a signed bookplate to the first 20 preorder screenshots you receive.
🔗 Resource: KingSumo for Giveaways (I used to recommend Rafflecopter, but they’re shutting down 10/1. End of an era. ☹️)
✊ 1 Day Before Launch: Prime the Pump
Set your readers up to take action tomorrow.
Do This:
Post “Tomorrow’s the Day!” everywhere.
Share why you wrote the book.
Save your Amazon link (or my favorite, create a free Booklinker link OR use GeniusLink to track clicks) for quick posting.
Send a final reminder to your mailing list.
💡 Example: Post about your journey from idea to publication and invite readers to celebrate with you.
🔗 Resource: ConvertKit (now just called Kit) for Email Marketing
👀 Launch Day: All Eyes on You
Today is about visibility, reviews, and celebration.
Do This:
Morning: Post “It’s Here!” with cover and link.
Midday: Share a first review or reader photo.
Evening: Post a thank-you video.
Email your list with the buy link + polite review request.
Share screenshots of rankings or early praise.
💡 Example: Post a video showing you refreshing Amazon and reacting to your first review or hitting a major list.
🔗 Resource: BookBub Author Profile
🤭 1–3 Days After Launch: Keep Momentum Going
Do not disappear after launch day.
Do This:
Share new excerpts or fun facts.
Post reader reviews with permission.
Thank your launch team publicly and privately.
Follow up with media contacts.
💡 Example: Create an Instagram carousel of 3–4 favorite reader quotes.
🔗 Resource: Buffer Social Scheduling (free and paid options)
🐝 4–7 Days After Launch: Expand Your Reach
Keep the buzz alive while reaching new audiences.
Do This:
Host a live Q&A or reading.
Run a “tag me with my book” photo challenge.
Share milestones or media features.
Offer a limited-time eBook sale.
Pitch yourself for more interviews or guest posts.
💡 Example: Go live on Instagram (or X or Facebook or TikTok) to answer questions and sign books on camera.
🔗 Resource: StreamYard for Live Streaming (free and paid options)
📋 So, What’s Your Launch Plan?
Your publication week can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to. Following a clear daily checklist will help you build excitement, keep your audience engaged, and maintain momentum after launch.
Out of these thirty-three tips, which sound practical and doable to you?
Summary: 🚀 Your Publication Week Survival Guide: 5 Must-Do Moves
Email your list with your launch date, link, and bonuses.
Show your face in a short video or live reading.
Run a preorder giveaway to create a sense of urgency.
Post “It’s Here!” everywhere on launch day (and politely ask for reviews).
Keep the buzz alive with lives, interviews, and reader shout-outs.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t try to do all 33 ideas in my guide—pick what works for you.
The key is preparation. Set up your posts, schedule outreach, and make it easy for readers to buy and review your book.
Books do not sell themselves. Authors who show up, connect, and stay visible give their books the best possible chance to succeed.
Need help? Contact me at badredheadmedia@gmail.com.
Reading Now:
• Warren Adler’s The War of the Roses is re-releasing just in time for the new Benedict Cumberbatch/Olivia Colman movie, The Roses, out 8/29 from Searchlight Pictures. Watch the trailer!
Also by Warren Adler and Shannon McKenna: Nobodies: A Gritty Noir Crime Thriller available now for preorder OR read free on NetGalley!
• For this book, 100% of the royalties go to the Wounded Warrior Project! Jeff Burgess’ 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 is a fantastic business memoir with many insights and a lot of humor. A worthy purchase. Business memoir.
• Sheila Sharpe’s Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief is fantastic! Art theft at its most compelling. Reading now. Literary and mystery fiction.
• J. Herman Kleiger’s Whispers, his third novel of psychological suspense, was just released. It’s fantastic. Learn more about his book. Psychological fiction.
• Adam Aresty’s Skyboy is also out now. If you’re a sci-fi nerd like me, you’ll love it. Adam is a professional screenwriter and professor at Fordham University in NYC. YA, Sci-Fi, Tech, Adventure - it’s all in there.
• R.A. Ruegg’s The Making of BRIO McPRIDE: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time meets Life of Pi is one of my favorite reads this year. The book inspired two films! YA/NA fiction, psychological, literary.
Happy writing!
Thank you! That's so helpful. I'll keep your list in case I'll have to launch my book myself which I'll probably have to do. I was always wondering how to really go about it - now it's become clearer.
What should an author be doing months before the launch, just trying to garner more interest?