Book Launch Readiness Checklist: Pre-Launch, ARCs, Pricing & Promo

Not caught up on part 1? Read it now!

What Sells Books? The Author’s (Re)Launch Marketing Checklist (PART 2)

A book launch isn’t one event—it’s a sequence. When you assess readiness early, you give yourself time to recruit ARC readers, coordinate newsletter swaps, schedule promo opportunities, and build momentum before release day. This checklist is designed for self-published authors and can be adapted for wide distribution (Amazon + Apple Books + Kobo + Google Play) or Kindle Unlimited strategies.

Pre-Launch Checklist

1) Preorder Plan (if applicable)

• Will you run a preorder?
• How long will it be live? (common ranges: 2–8+ weeks depending on audience size)
• Is the preorder linked in your last release’s back matter? (best practice for series read-through)

Tip: If you write series fiction (romance, fantasy, thriller), make sure your previous books push readers into the new preorder with a clean CTA.

2) Launch Style

• Live launch: a concentrated push (often 3–7 days)
• Slow launch: a longer runway (2–6+ weeks of steady promo)

Choose one based on your list size, ad budget, and whether you’re stacking promos.

3) Pricing Strategy

• Launch price: full price or limited-time discount?
• Stacked series pricing: will Book 1 (or the previous book) go on sale leading into launch?

Common combo: discount Book 1 to feed the funnel → launch Book 4/5 at full price.

4) Social Media Plan

• Which channels will you prioritize? (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube Shorts)
• What content will you post? (tropes, quotes, teaser scenes, character cards, “vibes” reels, behind-the-scenes)
• Are you involving influencers/creators? If yes, set expectations: timeline, format, tags, and whether you’re providing ARCs.

Launch Checklist

1) ARC Strategy (Advanced Reader Copies)

ARCs are one of the cleanest ways to drive early review velocity and build credibility on retailer pages.

Decide:

• Are you doing ARCs? If yes, when do readers get them?
• Format: digital ARCs, physical ARCs, or both?
• Distribution: direct to readers, influencer outreach, or an ARC platform?
• Public vs. private ARC team: open sign-ups or invite-only?

How Booksprout Can Support Your ARCs

Booksprout is built to streamline ARC campaigns so you’re not manually tracking who got what, who reviewed, and who needs reminders.

Here’s what Booksprout helps with:

• ARC delivery workflow: distribute digital ARCs to vetted readers and keep the process organized.
• ARC team management: collect sign-ups, manage reviewers, and maintain an audience for future releases.
• Automated reminders and follow-ups: nudge readers at the right times so reviews land closer to launch.
• Early review momentum: encourage timely reviews across supported retailers so your book doesn’t launch “quiet.”
• Ongoing reviewer pool: build a reusable ARC list for the next book in your series—especially helpful for rapid release authors.

Pro move: Use Booksprout to run ARCs for every release, then keep the engine warm between launches by continuing to add followers/reviewers.

2) Newsletter Plan

• What will your launch email(s) include? (hook, tropes, CTA, retailer links, bonus)
• Will you do newsletter swaps? If yes, schedule them now.
• ARC recruitment email: send a dedicated email before you need reviews.

3) Paid Promotion

• Ads: Meta, Amazon Ads, BookBub Ads, TikTok
• Promo newsletters: discount features or new-release features (depending on pricing)

4) Cross-Promos & Sales on Other Books

• Discount Book 1 in series or the previous installment.
• Run read-through promos during launch week to lift the entire catalog.

5) Social Media (Launch Week)

• Confirm posting cadence and content types.
• If using influencers, provide a media kit (blurb, tropes, trigger warnings, release date, links, hashtags).

Post-Launch Checklist

1) Promotion Window

• How many weeks will you actively promote after release? (2–8 weeks is common)
• Plan your “second wave” push: week 2, week 4, and week 6 are great times for additional visibility.

2) Newsletter Follow-Through

• How many times will you mention the new release post-launch?
• How many swaps will you run after launch?
• If the book stays discounted, you can continue booking promo newsletters.

3) Reader Brand Advocates

How will you encourage organic recommendations?

• shareable quote graphics
• referral incentives (swag, bonus epilogues, reader groups)
• “tag a friend who loves…” posts
• street team perks and shoutouts

4) ARC Follow-Up

• Did ARC readers review? If not, follow up once (politely).
• Track completion for future team quality.

5) Social Media Ongoing

• Repurpose launch content into evergreen posts: tropes, character spotlights, reader reactions, aesthetic reels.

Scheduling: Build Your Calendar Backwards

Step 1: Put your release date on the calendar.
Step 2: Count back 4 weeks.
Step 3: Assign each task a deadline (not just a “sometime”).

2–4 Weeks Before Launch Checklist

• Wide authors: If using IngramSpark for paperback distribution, upload early to reduce delivery delays.
• Digital ARCs: send ~2 weeks before launch.
• Physical ARCs: ship ~4+ weeks early for influencers (mail delays happen).
• Discount strategy ($2.99 or less): reserve promo newsletter spots early.
• Line up BookFunnel / StoryOrigin promos and newsletter swaps.
• Launch social campaign: reels, posts, teasers, lives.
• Claim/refresh profiles: Amazon Author Central, Goodreads, BookBub.

Existing Book: Mini Post-Mortem

If you’re assessing a past release, ask:

• What didn’t you do that you wish you had?
• What worked better than expected?
• What do you want to change for a relaunch?

Relaunch Checklist (When a Book Needs a Second First Impression)

• Recover the book: fix packaging, positioning, and metadata.
• Rewrite the blurb: align it to tropes, tone, and reader expectations.
• Consider a “republish-level” update: some authors expand/refresh content significantly when rebranding.
• KU strategy: consider temporarily going wide (or vice versa) if it supports your relaunch goal.
• Run a fresh ARC campaign: new readers = new momentum.
• Request review merges where relevant: consolidate editions so social proof isn’t split.