Picture Book Launch Checklist: What to Do in the 90 Days Before Publication
Share
The most common launch mistake is announcing the book on publication day and hoping. By launch day you want early readers ready to review, people waiting to buy, schools and shops booked, and content ready to go. Here's what to do and when.
90 to 61 days before: foundations
- Write your hook in three lengths: five words, one sentence and 50 words.
- Choose two or three recent comparable titles.
- Set up a simple website with a page for the book and an email sign-up.
- Create a free reader gift, such as colouring pages or an activity sheet from your illustrations.
- Register your metadata with your ISBN agency and distributor, and set your publication date.
- Send an Advance Information sheet to local bookshops and library suppliers.
- Book two or three local events or story times for launch month.
60 to 31 days before: build anticipation
- Recruit 15 to 30 early readers (parents, teachers, librarians) and send them a free copy with no conditions.
- Share process content: sketches, how a spread came together, the story behind the book.
- Contact children's book reviewers and bookstagrammers with a short, personal message.
- Pitch school visits for the term the book comes out.
- Draft your press release and list five local or niche media outlets.
30 to 1 days before: countdown
- Reveal the cover and open pre-orders, including signed copies on your own site.
- Remind early readers of the launch date and how to leave an honest review.
- Plan launch week content: a read-aloud clip, behind the scenes, a reader reaction, a giveaway.
- Send your press release.
- Confirm stock for events and check every retailer link works.
A note on reviews
Never pay for reviews or offer anything in exchange for a positive one. Retailers remove reviews they believe are incentivised. Give early copies with no strings attached and simply ask for an honest review.
Free download: get the one-page Picture Book Launch Checklist to print and tick off. For the full 90-day plan, day-by-day launch week and 18 templates, see the Picture Book Launch Kit.
