The holiday season represents a golden opportunity for authors to boost book sales—but only for those who start planning early enough. In this strategic episode, we dig into why "Christmas in July" isn't just a retail concept but a vital timeframe for authors who want holiday marketing success.

We reveal the shocking truth about holiday marketing timelines: if you're waiting until November to plan your holiday book promotions, you're already months too late! Media outlets finalize gift guides during summer, promotional spots book up by early fall, and consumers need time to discover your book before making purchase decisions. This episode walks you through the essential preparations you need to make now to position your book effectively for holiday sales.

You'll learn the crucial distinction between marketing a holiday-themed book versus positioning any book as a gift, and why specific messaging matters ("perfect for your adventure-loving niece" resonates more than generic "great gift" language). We cover practical steps including website preparation, scheduling promotional content, booking eBook deals for Black Friday, building up reviews, and how to successfully pitch to holiday gift guides at outlets like Buzzfeed and major online magazines.

Whether you're planning to offer special holiday bundles, signed editions, book-plus-merchandise packages, or simply want more Amazon sales, the groundwork must begin now. Don't let another holiday season pass with disappointing sales—grab your marketing calendar and start implementing these proven strategies that have helped countless authors transform the holidays from a missed opportunity into their most profitable season.

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The summer break scramble is real! Parents everywhere face the same challenge when school lets out: keeping kids entertained without surrendering to endless screen time. For authors of children's and young adult books, this presents a golden opportunity to connect with an audience hungry for solutions.

Drawing inspiration from Jennifer Garner's brilliant parenting strategy (she tells her kids they can have social media once they find articles proving it's beneficial for children), we explore how authors can position their books as the perfect summer entertainment option. Parents are actively seeking recommendations, activities, and reading materials to keep young minds engaged during the long break—and they want decisions that are easy to make.

Whether your book was published yesterday or five years ago, now is the perfect time to refresh your marketing approach. We share practical strategies and easily implemented tips and ideas!

Don't let another summer pass without maximizing this perfect marketing opportunity. Your book could be exactly what a parent needs when they hear those dreaded words: "I'm bored!"

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Buy Penny's book The Amazon Author Formula

Please leave a review!

1. Locate Ratings & Reviews: Scroll down on our podcast page until you find the "Ratings & Reviews" section.
2. Rate the Podcast: Click on the stars to give the podcast a rating.
3. Write Your Review: Under the star rating there will be the most recent review and just below that click "Write a Review" and compose your review in the text box that appears.
4. Save: Once you've written your review, click "Save" to submit it.

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Can't leave one on your preferred podcast platform? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert.com.

Check out our full-service publishing consulting here:

https://amarketingexpert.com/publishing-consulting/

Summer is upon us, and savvy authors know this season presents unique marketing opportunities—but what exactly makes a book beach-worthy? Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell dive into the evolving definition of "summer reads" and reveal practical strategies for positioning any book to capture readers' attention during these warmer months.

The podcast challenges traditional notions of what constitutes summer reading material. While escapist genre fiction remains popular, today's readers are equally drawn to true crime, activity-based children's books, and "maker" titles that inspire summer projects. With rising travel costs leading many to embrace "staycations," books offering at-home experiences or local exploration guides are experiencing unexpected popularity surges. The hosts emphasize that even serious books needn't be shelved until fall—they simply require different positioning to connect with summer readers.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is its focus on low-cost, high-impact marketing pivots. Rather than suggesting expensive cover redesigns or content overhauls, Penny and Amy recommend simple tweaks and easy changes to grab more summer readers!

Ready to transform your book into this summer's must-read? Update your marketing approach with these practical strategies, engage your fans with seasonal promotions, and watch your conversions grow. Remember—these techniques work for books of all genres and publication dates, and once developed, can be adapted for any season throughout the year.

Send us your feedback!

Buy Penny's book The Amazon Author Formula

Please leave a review!

1. Locate Ratings & Reviews: Scroll down on our podcast page until you find the "Ratings & Reviews" section.
2. Rate the Podcast: Click on the stars to give the podcast a rating.
3. Write Your Review: Under the star rating there will be the most recent review and just below that click "Write a Review" and compose your review in the text box that appears.
4. Save: Once you've written your review, click "Save" to submit it.

Be sure you're following or subscribed to the show first.

Can't leave one on your preferred podcast platform? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert.com.

Check out our full-service publishing consulting here:

https://amarketingexpert.com/publishing-consulting/