Launch Your Book
Like a Pro.
A practical pre-launch checklist for authors and independent publishers who want to know what to do, when to do it, and what not to forget before launch day.
Build your launch plan, then work through it.
Check things off as you go. Your progress is saved automatically in this browser, so you can come back whenever you're ready. Open each stage and work through the tasks at your own pace.
A launch gets easier when the work has a place.
A book launch rarely falls apart because of one dramatic mistake. It gets messy when dozens of small decisions, files, deadlines, and promotional tasks live in different places. This checklist brings the moving pieces into one practical sequence.
See the whole picture
Know what needs to happen before you reach the final weeks, instead of discovering important work at the last minute.
Work in the right order
Move from positioning and production into visibility, technical checks, and launch-day execution without guessing what comes next.
Keep momentum visible
Your progress stays in the browser, so the checklist becomes a working launch plan rather than something you download and forget.
Start where you are. Then keep moving.
You can work from the beginning or jump directly to the stage that matches your timeline. Check tasks off, open each stage when you are ready to work through it, and come back whenever you need to pick the plan up again.
Choose your stage
Start at three months, two months, one month, or launch day.
Complete the work
Open a stage, complete tasks, and watch your progress update automatically.
Follow what's next
Use the progress panel to see your current stage and next unfinished task.
Come back anytime
Your progress stays saved in this browser until you choose to reset it.
Four stages. Fifty practical tasks.
The checklist covers the work around the book, not just the book itself.
Strategy, positioning, brand, audience, and early preparation.
Production, promotional assets, ARCs, visibility, and technical setup.
Launch momentum, preorders, partnerships, community, and final checks.
Go live, promote, engage, monitor, and capture what you learn.
Useful before the launch. Useful after it.
This free Book Pre-Launch Checklist is part of the BenCreatesBooks collection of publishing resources for authors and independent publishers. The goal is simple: make the publishing process clearer, more practical, and easier to manage.
Use the checklist for your next release, then return to it for the next book. Your progress stays saved in your browser until you choose to reset it.
Book Pre Launch Checklist FAQs
Quick answers about this free book pre launch checklist: what it covers, who it is for, and how to use it alongside your publishing team.
What does the book pre launch checklist include?
Fifty practical tasks across four stages: three months out (strategy and positioning), two months out (content and audience), one month out (momentum and conversion), and launch day (visibility and engagement). Each task is specific and actionable, from writing your book description to setting up your mailing list.
Who is this book pre launch checklist for?
Independent authors and small publishers who want a structured launch plan without hiring a publicist. It is especially useful if you are self-publishing for the first time. For more planning tools, see our resources library.
Do I need to start exactly three months before?
No. Jump to the stage that matches your timeline and work from there. The checklist saves your progress in the browser, so you can return anytime. If you are on a tight timeline, focus on the highest-impact tasks first. Our publishing assistance service can help if you need hands-on support. If the launch itself needs running, our book launch services handle the full sequence.
Where can I learn more about book launches?
For launch strategy, see Kindle Direct Publishing resources on marketing your book.
Does the book pre launch checklist cover ebooks and print books?
Yes. The fifty tasks span strategy, content, and visibility work that applies to ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers alike. A few tasks, like ordering author copies or checking print proof quality, matter more for print editions, and you can simply skip anything that does not apply to your format.