Alright, you’re writing or have finished your manuscript, and you might be wondering when to start marketing a book. Is it when the first-word lands? Or right before the launch? Here’s the truth: you can, and probably should, begin much earlier than you think. Planning ahead gives you more control, less stress, and better results.
Before You Even Begin Writing
Believe it or not, it’s a good idea to start thinking about marketing even before you start writing your book. This can be as easy as figuring out who your readers might be, what your book is about, and how you want to show up as an author. It might feel early, but doing a little now can really help later on.
While Working on Your First Draft
During your draft, you don’t have to be everywhere promoting. But you can quietly lay the groundwork. Think of it as “soft marketing.” You could start an email list, post a mood board, share cover inspiration, or a catchy quote from your story. A lot of authors report that this early buzz can lead to an engaged audience by the time their book is ready.
Self-publishers on forums often say that planting the seed 3 to 6 months before publication is ideal, but if that timeframe feels too tight, even a month of groundwork can help.
As You Near the Midpoint
When you’re about halfway through writing, or about six months before your book comes out, it’s a good time to start proper marketing. This is when you can start sharing your cover, writing a short announcement about your book, and talking to reviewers or bloggers. You can also get things ready like your book details, pre-order page, and messages for people who might help you spread the word. At this stage, many authors ask when to start marketing their book and discover there’s no single answer, but six months out is a smart baseline for ongoing work.
Two to Three Months Before Launch
This is the best time to really step things up. You can share your book cover, start taking pre-orders, send early copies to readers, run a few ads, and ask others to help spread the word. Many writers say that doing these things two to three months before launch is the key to building real excitement. If you’re still asking when to start marketing a book, this is a great time to get serious.
One Month Before and Launch Week
Your launch week is critical. Now you go loud: send emails, post daily, run ads, arrange virtual events. Pick your launch format, TikTok, blog tours, Bookstagram promotions, or giveaways, and follow through. That hype has to come from somewhere, and maintaining momentum here matters greatly.
The Habit Continues: Post-Launch Marketing
Your marketing shouldn’t stop as soon as the book drops. Keep your momentum up, share wins, post reviews, run promotions and do guest appearances. Even after launch, your book needs attention to stay visible.
But Wait, Why Start So Early?
Reading about advanced marketing timelines can feel daunting. Why start before writing? Because building interest, email lists, and brand consistency takes time. A launch built on a shaky foundation is more likely to fizzle. Starting early means every part, from cover design to audience engagement, gets the polish it needs.
Spotting the Gaps in Conventional Advice
A lot of marketing advice is either generic (just “start early”) or assumes authors have all the time in the world. We’ve found gaps, and practical solutions many guides miss:
- Timing advice without clear actions. Not enough steps on what to do and when.
- False urgency vs real timelines. Launching near an arbitrary date without a strategy can backfire.
- Neglect of author capacity. Not everyone has time for daily marketing, your plan should fit your life.
That’s why it’s not just about when you start—it’s about how you do it in a way that actually works for you.
A Better Plan for “When to Start Marketing a Book”
Every author’s schedule is different, but a simple, step-by-step plan can make things easier. Here are some timelines that work even if you’re short on time.
Here’s a realistic timeline:
9–12 Months Before Launch
Decide your book’s audience, begin building a small email list, sketch cover ideas, and set your release window.
6–9 Months Out
Don’t rush, choose a date, start working on your cover, and think about early promos.
3–6 Months Before
Start your cover reveal, reach out to bloggers, pitch advance copies, and begin ads.
1 Month Before
Amp up your social media presence, engage your audience, and plan a few launch events or giveaways.
Launch Week
Go full throttle: email blasts, posts, ads plus thank messaging and live events.
Post-Launch
Keep readers engaged with reviews, guest posts, evergreen content, and follow-up promos.
Each step builds naturally into the next, and you don’t have to work full-time on it. Just steady, purposeful actions.
How WBA Can Help You Stay on Track
Here’s where Wright Book Associates comes in, if you decide to ask when to start marketing a book, you’ll want to know how, not just when. We help authors create simple, tailored timelines and guide them from concept through promotion. From early email set-up to launch-day support and post-release momentum, we’re there every step of the way.
Want to talk strategy or get a timeline that fits your schedule? Drop us a message and let’s make your marketing timeline feel less overwhelming and a lot more effective.
Final Takeaway
When to start marketing a book? Start now. Even soft marketing during writing builds the foundation. From formal launch prep at six months to full engagement in launch week and beyond, a planned, phased strategy is the simplest way to make sure your story actually gets seen. And yes, you absolutely can begin right now.