The Best Day of the Week for Indie Authors to Publish (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

If you’ve ever Googled:

“What’s the best day to release my book?”
“Do books have to be published on a certain day?”
“What day do authors usually publish?”
“Should indie authors release on Tuesdays?”
“How far out should I plan my release date?”

…you’re not alone.

Choosing a release date is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your self-publishing process. And while you can release a book on any day of the week, there is a clear, strategic answer to the question:

Yes — there is a best day to publish your book.

And that day is Tuesday.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly why Tuesday releases still matter, how bestseller lists are calculated, what retailers expect, whether your preorder date matters, and how to choose the perfect release date for your book.

Let’s dive in.

Do Books Need to Be Released on a Certain Day of the Week?

In theory? No.

In practice?
If you care about sales, rankings, and visibility, then yes — the day matters.

Publishers have released books on Tuesdays for decades, and the entire industry is built around that weekly cycle. Indie authors benefit massively from following the same rhythm.

Here’s why.

1. Bestseller Lists Count Sales From Tuesday to Monday

One of the most common questions authors ask is:
“Does release day affect bestseller ranking?”

YES.

Lists like:

The New York Times
USA Today
Genre-specific bestseller lists
Even Amazon ranking algorithms

…all use a Tuesday → Monday tracking period.

When you release your book on a Tuesday:

Every preorder counts on release day
You get a full 7 days of sales counted
Your book enters the list cycle right at the beginning
You maximize early momentum

If you release your book on a Wednesday or Saturday?
You lose days — and you lose ranking potential.

2. Retailer Algorithms Refresh on Tuesdays

Another common question:

“Does Amazon care what day I publish on?”
Absolutely.

Amazon (and other retailers) refresh:

“Hot New Releases”
“New This Week”
Merchandising sections
Algorithmic recommendation lists
Email notifications

…on Tuesdays.

Publishing on Tuesday means your book is added to the system at the exact moment readers, retailers, and algorithms are paying attention.

If you release on a random day?
Your book enters the system in the quiet hours where visibility is lowest.

3. Newsletter Promos and Discovery Platforms Send on Tuesdays

If you’re planning to use:

BookBub
The Fussy Librarian
or any major promo site…

Most of their highest-performing sends land on Tuesday mornings.

If your book isn’t live that day, you miss a huge chunk of launch exposure.

This is why coordinating a Tuesday release gives you:

Better promo stacking
Stronger engagement
More buy-through

4. Readers Are Trained to Expect “New Book Tuesdays”

Readers don’t just stumble onto new books—
They look for them on Tuesdays.

This is the day:

Newsletters hit inboxes
Goodreads feeds fill with new titles
Bookstores reset their tables
Amazon features new releases
TikTok and Bookstagram accounts share “new release Tuesday” posts

A Tuesday release aligns you with the rhythm your ideal reader already follows.

5. Tuesday Releases Help You Avoid Chaotic Weeks

Authors often ask:
“Are there dates I should avoid publishing?”

YES.

Avoid:

Major holidays
Election Day
Holiday weekends
Big sport or cultural events
Any time the internet will be loud

Releasing on Tuesdays makes it far easier to avoid these low-visibility periods — and protects your launch momentum.

6. Do Preorder Dates Matter? Should They Be on Tuesdays Too?

Short answer:
Preorders do NOT need to go live on a Tuesday. But it’s still best practice to post them on a Tuesday for visibility.

They can drop any day because preorder purchases count on release day.

Best practices:

Announce your preorder on a weekday for higher engagement
Give yourself 2–4+ months of preorder runway
Release the actual book on a Tuesday

That structure gives you:

Time for ARC reviews
Time for marketing
Time for promo stacking
A strong, clean launch week

7. How Far in Advance Should You Plan Your Release Date?

Here’s what I recommend based on where you are in your author journey.

Debut Authors

12-18 months before release

Your first book requires extra time: editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, and building an audience.

Second Book or Later

6-12 months before release

Preorders

2-6 months minimum

The earlier you choose your date, the easier it is to coordinate:

Your editor
Your formatter
Your proofreader
Your ARC team
Your promo schedule

So… What Day Should You Release Your Book?

Here’s the simplest answer to everything above:

If you want your release to be visible, strategic, and aligned with industry standards, publish it on a Tuesday.

This is not superstition — it’s smart business.

Ready to Plan Your Release the Best Way?

Get your free Self-Publishing Starter Guide

This guide walks you through all the foundational steps of self-publishing — including timelines, release planning, editing, marketing, and everything you need to know before launching your book.

If you’re serious about self-publishing successfully, this is the perfect next step.

Access my free Self-Publishing Starter Guide and start planning your release today!

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What Day Should You Release Your Book?