Congratulations on reaching the final stages of your publishing journey! When your book’s initial interior design layout is completed, it’s time to decide on your distribution model and select your book’s launch strategy. Here’s a guide to help you understand your options and make the best choice for your book’s release.
👩🏫 Understanding Key Terms
In the publishing world, terms like distribution, release, launch, and publish are often used interchangeably to describe the process of making your book available to readers. Distributors act as intermediaries between publishers and retailers, managing the logistics of printing and shipping books. Retailers, such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, are where customers purchase books.
📆 Book Release Timeline
Before your book can be published, it’s important to ensure that the final design meets your expectations. You’ll work with your designer through various review stages to perfect your book’s appearance. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the number of revisions needed.
If you choose a specific launch date, be aware that adjustments may be necessary based on the production timeline. We will begin the distribution process 3 days before your launch, to help ensure that retailers have access to your book on the chosen date, although some retailers will take up to 6 weeks to fully list your book after it’s released. Regardless of your launch strategy, we’ll keep you informed of your book’s progress with updates throughout the process.
Below is an overview of the publication steps we'll need to complete before your book can be distributed:
| Step in Process | Epected Timeline | Task Owner |
| 1. Cover/Interior Design Revisions | Each round takes 1–2 weeks, up to 2 rounds included (extra rounds, if requested, will add more time) | Tellwell |
|
2. Proofreading (if applicable) |
1–3 weeks, depending on your book's word count |
Tellwell |
| 3. Cover & Interior Design Approval | Varies, depending on how long it takes you to review and approve. Quick feedback helps avoid delays | You (the Author) |
| 4. Final Files & 2-Step Quality Check | 2–5 business days for Tellwell to finalize and double-check files | Tellwell |
| 5. Distribution Setup | 2–5 business days for Tellwell to submit files to distributors. Please note that distributor approval processes may occasionally cause delays | Tellwell |
| 6. Publishing the book | Your book is published at least 3 days before your Specific Launch Date (if you have chosen one) to allow for any distribution issues to be addressed | Tellwell |
| 7. Retailers List Book for Sale |
Amazon: 24–72 hours for Enhanced Amazon paperback and/or hardcover and eBooks Other Retailers: Can take 1–6 weeks, depending on the retailer's internal processes |
Tellwell |
| 8. Amazon Listings Linked Together |
It may take 2–7 days for different formats (paperback, hardcover, eBook) to appear under one Amazon listing after publishing |
Tellwell |
| 9. Promotional Activity Start |
We recommend starting any promotional efforts at least 1 week after your book is published to ensure everything is live and correct. Starting 2–4 weeks later is even better, allowing ample time to ensure listings and links are fully optimized. |
You (the Author) |
The table above shows the steps after your initial interior layout has been completed, click here for Tellwell's full publication timeline.
🚚 Choosing Your Distribution Model
Managed Distribution
This is our most popular option, where Tellwell handles the setup and management of your book’s distribution through online retailers. We offer two variations, Managed 85 (free of charge, 85% net royalties) and Managed 100 (setup fee applies, 100% net royalties). Learn more here.
Direct Distribution
This DIY option is for authors who want full control over their distribution, including setting up and managing their own accounts. This path is recommended only for those who are technically savvy and willing to invest time in learning new platforms. Learn more here.
🚀 Book Launch Strategies
Once you’ve chosen a distribution model, you can select from the following release strategies, each of which will impact the timing of your book's launch, so be sure to read the instructions carefully, and reach out to your project manager with any questions. We recommend starting your marketing efforts a few weeks after a "soft" launch, similar to a store's grand opening after officially opening its doors. This gives time to resolve any issues with retail listings and allows you to ramp up marketing to create buzz around key dates.
Launch When Ready: Your book will be released as soon as it’s ready, providing the quickest path to retail availability.
- Note: We typically recommend the Launch When Ready option because it provides ample time to troubleshoot any issues with retail listings or distributor uploads well before any planned promotions. While the downside is that your book may be available before you’re ready to start promoting, it’s a safer approach given the unpredictability of exact listing dates. Since we can’t guarantee 100% that a book will publish on a specific date without variations, it’s often better to be early than to face the risk of incomplete Amazon listings or delays when you’ve scheduled important media appearances or other promotional activities.
Specific Launch Date: Choose a specific date for your book’s release at least 2 weeks in the future, and we will begin the distribution process 3 days before, to help ensure availability. However, keep in mind that retailers may take up to 6 weeks to list your book, so plan your promotional activities accordingly. It's also crucial not to rush the design revision process, as your careful attention to detail is essential to ensure the highest quality for your book before it reaches readers.
Printed Proof First: If it is important to you to be the very first person to see your book in print, our Printed Proof First option uses your free author copy as a proof copy before the book is officially distributed. If you choose this option, we will not publish your book until you have received and approved your author copy. If you need changes after reviewing your proof, additional charges may apply for revisions. However, please note that a printed proof should never replace a careful review of your PDF drafts during your two free revision rounds, as this is your best opportunity to catch any design or content errors before the final files are created.
Optional for Ebooks: Pre-Order Setup:
If your publishing package includes eBook distribution, you have the option to set up a pre-order for your ebook. This allows readers to place orders in advance, boosting your launch by delivering pre-orders on your chosen on-sale date.
Start Date: This is when pre-orders begin. The start date must be at least 2 weeks in the future.
On-Sale Date: This is when pre-order sales are processed and delivered. It must be at least 30 days after the pre-order start date.
If you choose the Specific Launch Date option for your book, it will align with your on-sale date. Please note that while we strive to match the availability of your print edition with your ebook’s on-sale date, delays may occur due to unforeseen distribution issues.
Final Considerations
Choosing the right distribution and launch options can significantly impact your book’s success. While it’s exciting to reach the publication stage, taking the time to carefully consider your strategy ensures your book’s best possible debut. If you have any questions or need further guidance, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
For more detailed information on distribution models and launch strategies, be sure to explore the resources linked throughout this guide.