January 1st Release?

[CountVanBadger]

When I release XNPC, I want it to be on the first day of the month. I'm just waiting for my cover to be finished, but it doesn't look like that will be until at least a couple days into December. That means if I stick to my plan, the earliest I can release it is on January 1st. That doesn't sound too bad to me. New year, new book, right? But since it's New Year's Day, and people are likely to be tired after staying up till midnight, is that really a great plan? Would I be better off waiting another day or two?

 

[Jerynboe]

Having it be on the first is almost purely a thing you’re doing psychologically for yourself, and it’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll immediately get a large following. A consistent release schedule is vastly more important than what the initial release date is, so make sure to worry about the right things.

 

[Eldoria]

If you want to make releasing fiction in the new year a 'mental resolution' to turn the page on a new story, then it will have profound meaning for you as an author and for the readers who discover your work.

However, if you're releasing fiction in the new year simply to chase engagement, then technical factors (such as regular updates, a compelling synopsis, an attractive cover) and narrative factors (such as themes and depth of story, characters, plot and conflict, worldbuilding, moral values) are more influential than the release date.

 

[CountVanBadger]

I was debating whether to release in December or January, but it looks like they're going to pull another stunt to take over the Rising Stars list again, so I guess January it is...

 

[CharlesEBrown]

I would suggest doing what marketing execs have for years - rather than an arbitrary date, pick a day of the week and release on, say, the first Tuesday in January, regardless of the actual date.

 

[Arkus86]

You can rest easy, the release date of your first chapter matters little. Most people will not read it at that point. Some might bookmark it for later, but most potential readers who would be interested in it will wait until you have roughly 10-20-50-100 chapters.

 

[Corty]

Doesn't matter. Nobody reads fresh novels at release if you aren't already an established author on the platform you are posting it.

Even then, it's a fraction of your readers who will read it on release.

Post it whenever, because it will only gain traction when you have enough to draw in the binge readers.

 

[DeepWater]

Release it as soon as Christmas break starts

 

[Representing_Tromba]

People will probably be sleeping in or working that day so it probably isn't the best day to start. However, if that is what you wish, go for it! There's really no reason not to.