Pre or Post Xmas Release?

Turndog-Millionaire · Jul 1, 2012

Hi all,

This is a question for those who've released a book either pre or post Xmas. This week I'm going to do some research into when is the best time to release. I'm hoping to make a decision this month so I can start making plans (and to give me a kick in the butt regarding my editing)

So, should I aim for a late November/early December release or an early January release?

I've heard good things about both, but what do the fine folk on the AW think?

Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)

merrihiatt · Jul 1, 2012

If your book pertains to Christmas or winter, I'd say release it in late October/early November. I'm doing this with a Christmas short story.

New releases on Amazon receive three months of "new" status (i.e., it's listed as a new release, although I'm not clear how much that actually helps book sales). People are looking for gifts to give before Christmas and folks who receive Kindles or other e-readers will be looking for books after Christmas.

You didn't mention whether this was an e-book or paperback book. If it is an e-book and you choose to put it into the Amazon KDP Select program, you could run a free promo that might encourage sales over the Christmas holiday. It's all a bit of a crap shoot. There are advantages to a pre or post Christmas release.

Turndog-Millionaire · Jul 1, 2012

Thanks for the comments. Some interesting thoughts

I will be releasing it in Ebook only to start with, and it's Contemporary Fiction. It's a good point about the format, too. Pre Xmas alot of books are bought for gifts I'm guessing. Giving an Ebook as a gift isn't really a done thing yet, so maybe a post xmas launch is better?

And so very true. Both have their up's. Thanks again for the tips

Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)

Nightmelody · Jul 2, 2012

Am planning a Christmas short and bundling several novellas all out before Christmas as ebooks.

MJWare · Jul 14, 2012

I agree with the get it out before Christmas. Though maybe wait until December 1st, due to the extra bump from the new release list.

I do think sales after Dec. 24th will be better than before, but if you can build a little momentum, it might carry you into January.

If you hold off until January, then you might end up with zero momentum. If that happens you'll miss out on the holiday sales and never even make it up the new release lists (or make it far enough up them to matter).

Just my 2 cents. Good Luck!

JSSchley · Jul 16, 2012

FWIW, Dec. 26 through the beginning of January is a HUGE ebook sale time for both Amazon and B&N.

Here's an article from USA Today this January that talks about the phenomenon. http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-01-09/ebooks-sales-surge/52458672/1

I'm not sure how to combine that into the sales strategy for your book, however, and I'd listen to folks like merrihatt who've been doing this for awhile re: KDP select, free days, etc. and leveraging that to the best extent. But after Christmas, there are a LOT of people with brand new Kindles and nooks who are filling them up with cheap reads with very little discrimination, and it's a good time to make sure your book is available.

Pre or Post Xmas Release?

Turndog-Millionaire

merrihiatt

Writing! Writing! Writing!

Turndog-Millionaire

Nightmelody

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.

JSSchley

Have Harp Will Travel