The Launch Day Checklist: Everything You Need to Do in the 24 Hours Your Book Goes Live

Launch day is the culmination of months of work — and it's also the day when most authors make their biggest mistakes. Not because they haven't prepared, but because they haven't planned the day itself. Launch day without a checklist is launch day on autopilot. Here's how to run it with intention.

The Night Before

Confirm that your book is live on all platforms. Check your Amazon listing — cover, description, categories, and price. Send a final reminder to your launch team with their specific asks for tomorrow. Queue your social posts. Write your launch day email and schedule it for 7 AM. Then close your laptop and sleep.

Morning: 7 AM – 12 PM

Send your launch email. Post on every social channel. Text your closest supporters personally — not a group message, individual texts. Check your Amazon ranking every two hours and share milestones publicly. Respond to every comment, reply, and message. This is the day to be fully present.

Afternoon: 12 PM – 6 PM

Do any scheduled media appearances. Send a midday update to your launch team with current ranking and a specific ask for the afternoon. Post a behind-the-scenes story or video. Reach out personally to anyone who said they'd buy but hasn't yet.

Evening: 6 PM – Close

Send a final thank-you post. Share your end-of-day ranking. Thank your launch team publicly and privately. Send a personal note to the people who showed up the most. Then celebrate — you shipped a book.