The Age Of Question: How Often Should Self-Published Authors Release New Books?
Let's debunk this area of self-publishing that stumps most writers, including me.
Hey, welcome to Ellen Wrote A Book!
In this edition, you’re getting the following:
An analysis of self-publishing frequency for self-published writers
Marketing update on Pinterest (and how much I’ve grown in just 10 days)
Publishing Frequency Problems
When I self-published my first book, 1 Lovelock Drive, I had no idea what to expect.
The excitement of seeing my work out in the world was mixed with the reality of marketing, gathering reviews, and wondering what came next. Yes - the big ‘what comes next’ was like a beast on my back.
Publish once and you’re expected to publish again (and again).
Now, as I prepare to publish between three and five new books this year, I’ve been asking myself a crucial question:
How often should self-published authors release new books?
Many indie authors swear by rapid release strategies, churning out multiple books per year to stay visible and maximize earnings.
Others take a slower, more methodical approach, focusing on quality and long-term sustainability.
As I map out my own publishing schedule, I’ve been researching the best strategies for balancing quality, audience expectations, and career longevity.
In this article, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of frequent publishing, how genre affects release schedules, and strategies for managing multiple releases without burning out.
Whether you’re just starting out or planning your ambitious year of publishing, this guide will help you find the right pace for your self-publishing journey.
And never forget in this journey I’m here for you.
The Pros and Cons of Rapid Publishing
With up to five planned releases this year, I’ve been exploring the rapid publishing model, which involves authors releasing books frequently, often within months or even weeks of each other.
It’s an option worth exploring.
As you’re about to learn, no option is off the table.
Five minutes on any writing Facebook group will show you how this approach has gained traction in the self-publishing world, especially among indie authors who rely on momentum, algorithms, and audience engagement to build their careers.
Let’s lay out the benefits of the rapid publishing option.
Increased Visibility in Online Marketplaces
Online bookstores like Amazon favour frequent releases.
Their algorithms prioritise new books, and authors who publish often tend to stay in front of readers. It’s like social media; the more you’re there, the more the platform likes you.
Here’s why:
Amazon’s “New Release” Section: Each book you release appears in the “New Releases” category for a limited time, giving it extra exposure.
Frequent Engagement with Amazon’s Algorithm: Consistently publishing means you’re frequently reactivating Amazon’s recommendation system, keeping your books in front of potential buyers.
Higher Ranking Potential: More books mean more opportunities for sales, which can improve rankings and lead to better organic discoverability. Quantity counts in this game.
For self-published authors, this visibility is crucial. Unlike traditionally published books that get major PR pushes, indie authors rely on smart publishing strategies to stay relevant.
It’s a way of playing the algorithm to your advantage.
Faster Audience Growth And Reader Retention
When readers find an author they love, they don’t want to wait years for the next book. I can put my hand up and admit I’m one of them. It’s like a tv show; don’t make me wait two years for the next episode, season, conclusion.
This is especially true in binge-reading genres like romance, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy.
A frequent release schedule helps you:
Keep Readers Engaged: Readers who finish one book and immediately see another available are more likely to stay hooked on your work. I’m like that with Ali Hazelwood; just give me the next one as soon as I’ve finished the last.
Encourage Series Success: If you’re writing a series, frequent releases prevent readers from forgetting plot points or losing interest between books. I can confess to forgetting what I should know.
Strengthen Your Author Brand: Regular releases establish you as a consistent writer, making you more appealing to both readers and retailers. Basically, it makes you look serious about what you’re doing.
Authors who publish sporadically often struggle with regaining traction, while those who publish frequently maintain a steady audience pipeline.
Again, it’s like social media. Consistency is key.
More Opportunities To Experiment And Improve
Publishing multiple books quickly allows you to test different elements of your writing and marketing strategy. These include playing with aspects of your book like:
Cover Design and Titles: You can assess which book covers or title styles attract more readers.
Pricing Strategies: Some books might perform better at a higher price, while others gain traction at a lower price point.
Marketing Tactics: A rapid-release strategy lets you refine your approach to advertising, email marketing, and social media promotion.
Writing Styles and Tropes: You can experiment with different storytelling techniques to see what resonates best with your audience.
Each new book provides valuable data, helping you fine-tune your publishing strategy.
Sure, there might be less laborious ways of testing what works with your audience. But if you can test and earn at the same time, that’s a win-win.
Higher Earning Potential
The more books you have, the more chances you have to earn. That's like any online store, service-based business or offering; the more you have, the more opportunities you have to make money.
Products breed sales. With more books, you have:
Multiple Revenue Streams: Each book adds to your income, whether through direct sales, Kindle Unlimited page reads, or audiobook royalties.
Backlist Sales: Older books can gain new life every time you release a new title, as readers often go back to purchase your previous works.
Bundling and Box Sets: With a larger catalog, you can create box sets, which are great for promotions and reader retention.
Many successful indie authors rely on frequent releases to create sustainable full-time income.
I’ve only published one book so far, and this makes me think about adding to the collection sooner rather than later.
If you ask some of the leading indie authors, they will also attest to more. One author I know swears by 20 books as a minimum.
I won’t say who this is because I have some issues with it, as well go through.
High Risk Of Burnout
One of the biggest dangers of rapid publishing is burnout. It doesn’t even need to be said. It constantly scares me and paralyses me into making grand plans for multiple book releases.
Am I going to destroy myself publishing the next books?!
Writing, editing, formatting, and marketing multiple books per year is mentally and physically demanding. Some challenges include:
Creative Exhaustion: Constantly generating new ideas and writing at a high pace can lead to fatigue and loss of enthusiasm.
Struggling to Maintain Work-Life Balance: Publishing frequently can take over your life, making it difficult to balance writing with personal commitments.
Deadlines Adding Pressure: The pressure to release books on a schedule can be overwhelming, especially if life circumstances interfere with your writing plans.
If you push too hard, you may find yourself unable to sustain the pace long-term.
It’s not something you want to confront, especially early in the process. If burnout is hitting you before you’ve even made a dent in your book writing journey, the problem outweighs anything else.
A Potential Drop In Quality
With frequent releases, maintaining high quality can be a challenge:
Insufficient Editing Time: Tight deadlines may mean less time for thorough edits, leading to typos, inconsistencies, or weak storytelling.
Rushed Development: Some books need time to mature. If you rush, you might not give characters or plotlines the depth they deserve.
Cover and Formatting Compromises: With limited time and budget, you might compromise on book covers, interior formatting, or proofreading—elements that impact reader perception.
Readers can be forgiving, but consistently releasing books with errors or weak plots can damage your reputation.
Especially with fast, unrelenting word of mouth marketing, such as #BookTok, all your potential readers will know about them sooner rather than later.
The social media world is a tough crowd to please, after all.
Reader Fatigue
While some readers love frequent releases, others may struggle to keep up. If you publish too quickly:
Readers May Skip Books: If they haven’t finished your last book, they might ignore the new one, leading to inconsistent sales.
Your Audience May Feel Overwhelmed: Some readers appreciate time to digest books rather than feeling rushed to grab the next one.
It’s important to understand your audience’s reading habits and adjust your release schedule accordingly.
Now this is a hard one to gauge until you actually give them a schedule. It means you need to experiment with a schedule first and see how they react.
I acknowledge that it's easier said than done. We will need to revisit that one another time because it’s a can of worms we don’t have time to open in the edition.
Marketing and Promotion Becomes More Challenging
Every book release requires a marketing push. With rapid publishing, you may face:
Limited Time For Pre-Launch Marketing: If you’re constantly writing, you might not have time to promote each book properly. There’s little point in publishing books if you can’t market them, especially from time constraints.
Ad Costs Adding Up: Running ads for multiple books can be expensive, cutting into your profits. If this is your preferred style of marketing, you may find yourself very broke, very quickly.
Difficulty in Building Hype: If books are released too frequently, each one gets less time in the spotlight, potentially reducing its impact. Many fashion and beauty brands have made this mistake and it’s watered down their offering significantly.
Understanding Your Genre And Audience Expectations
One of the biggest mistakes self-published authors make is assuming that the same publishing strategy works across all genres.
In reality, how often you should release books depends heavily on what you write and who your readers are. Some genres thrive on rapid publishing, while others benefit from a slower, more deliberate release schedule.
I write women’s fiction, with a little romance fiction mixed in there, and this style of book has a certain publishing expectation. But those expectations differ greatly from fantasy or non-fiction, for example. You can’t compare the two.
If you want to maximise sales, reader engagement, and long-term career success, you need to understand your genre’s expectations and how frequently your audience wants new content.
I’ve compiled some detailed information to help with the decision-making process. I would love to know if anyone has had similar experiences with their releases or whether they differ from what I’ve found.
Genres That Benefit From Frequent Releases
Certain genres lend themselves to a rapid publishing schedule because readers in these markets tend to consume books quickly.
If you write in one of these genres, releasing multiple books a year—or even every few months—can be highly beneficial.
Romance
Romance readers are among the most voracious in the publishing industry. Many consume multiple books per week, especially in popular subgenres like contemporary romance, billionaire romance, and paranormal romance.
Why frequent releases work:
Romance readers often binge-read and actively seek out new titles.
Series do well, especially when following different characters in the same world (e.g., interconnected standalones).
Amazon’s algorithm rewards frequent releases in romance, boosting visibility.
Recommended pace: Monthly or quarterly releases work well, though some successful romance authors release books every 4–6 weeks.
Mystery, Thriller, and Crime Fiction
Fans of mystery, suspense, and crime fiction love tightly plotted, page-turning books. Many follow their favorite authors religiously, eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Why frequent releases work:
Readers love following detectives, private investigators, or amateur sleuths through multiple books.
Shorter novels and novella-length stories can thrive in this market.
The binge factor is strong, especially for procedural-style mysteries.
Recommended pace: A book every 2–4 months works well, especially if you’re writing a series.
Science Fiction And Fantasy (Especially in Series)
Sci-fi and fantasy readers love immersive worlds, deep lore, and long-running series. Readers of these genres often expect consistent releases, especially if the story is part of a bigger saga.
Why frequent releases work:
Readers become deeply invested in ongoing worlds and want to stay engaged.
Cliffhangers and series arcs drive demand for the next book.
Serialized storytelling works well, particularly in sci-fi/fantasy subgenres like LitRPG and progression fantasy.
Recommended pace: A new book every 3–6 months keeps readers engaged while allowing time for world-building.
Urban Fantasy And Paranormal Fiction
Similar to romance, urban fantasy and paranormal fiction often revolve around engaging characters, fast-paced action, and high reader engagement.
Why frequent releases work:
Readers get attached to main characters and want to follow their ongoing adventures.
Frequent releases help maintain excitement and keep readers from forgetting details in complex stories.
Recommended pace: A book every 2–4 months is ideal for maintaining momentum.
Young Adult (YA) And New Adult Fiction
While YA and NA books don’t always require rapid releases, certain subgenres (such as YA fantasy, dystopian, and contemporary romance) benefit from frequent publishing.
Why frequent releases work:
Younger readers consume books quickly, especially in series-based genres.
Social media (BookTok, Bookstagram) often fuels demand for immediate sequels.
Recommended pace: A book every 4–6 months can keep younger audiences engaged while allowing time for quality development.
Genres That Can Afford a Slower Release Schedule
Some genres have readers who are more patient and prioritize depth, quality, and longevity over quick releases. If you write in these categories, you may not need to publish as often.
Literary Fiction And Upmarket Fiction
Readers of literary fiction value storytelling depth, prose quality, and thematic exploration over speed.
Why slower releases work:
Books in this genre are often longer, requiring more time for refinement.
Readers are accustomed to waiting, as traditionally published literary fiction often has gaps of several years between releases.
Recommended pace: One book per year or every 1–2 years.
Historical Fiction
Research-heavy and detail-oriented, historical fiction benefits from careful planning and deep world-building.
Why slower releases work:
Readers expect well-researched, immersive storytelling.
Many historical fiction authors release books every 1–2 years without losing their audience.
Recommended pace: One book per year or longer.
Non-Fiction
Non-fiction readers value expertise, depth, and practical insights, meaning rapid releases aren’t always necessary.
Why slower releases work:
Many non-fiction books require significant research and credibility building.
Readers often take longer to finish non-fiction and don’t need frequent new releases.
Recommended pace: One book per year or every 1–2 years, unless writing short, niche-focused books.
So What’s Your Ideal Self-Publishing Schedule?
One of the self-published authors' biggest questions is “How often should I publish?”
As you can tell, I’ve asked myself this many times. The most frustrating part is that the answer isn’t clear; it’s not one plus one. The math isn’t straightforward, as much as I would like it to be.
While rapid releases can work well for some, others may find that a slower, more deliberate publishing schedule is better for their creativity, quality, and long-term career.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but by evaluating your personal strengths, writing process, goals, and lifestyle, you can find the publishing frequency that works best for you.
There’s really no other way around it.
So let’s lay out the work you need to do, which is the work I’ve done to create a publishing schedule.
Understand The Trade-Offs Of Different Publishing Schedules
Before deciding how often to publish, consider the pros and cons of different release strategies.
A Fast Publishing Schedule (We’re Talking Every 1–3 Months)
✅ Pros:
Keeps readers engaged and excited for the next book.
Triggers Amazon’s algorithm for better visibility.
Increases revenue through a larger backlist.
Works well for certain genres (romance, thrillers, fantasy, etc.).
❌ Cons:
Can lead to burnout if not managed properly.
Requires strong time management and discipline.
Editing, marketing, and cover design need to be done quickly.
May impact quality if rushed.
🔹 Best for: Authors who write quickly, have efficient editing workflows, and write in bingeable genres.
Is this something you think you can do?
Does this sound like something you could do, even if it takes a lot out of you?
Are you one of those authors who has a bingeable genre and can write quickly?
Be honest.
A Moderate Publishing Schedule (Let’s Say Every 4–6 Months)
✅ Pros:
Balances consistency with quality.
Provides time for marketing and reader engagement.
Less risk of burnout compared to rapid publishing.
Allows for deeper storytelling and revisions.
❌ Cons:
May lose momentum with readers who expect faster releases.
Marketing efforts need to work harder between releases.
🔹 Best for: Authors who want to maintain quality while still publishing consistently.
Is this a strategy that works for your genre?
Is this a sustainable schedule even though it’s a little slower?
What are you mitigating with this schedule?
Be honest.
A Slow Publishing Schedule (Once a Year or Longer)
✅ Pros:
Allows time for deep, immersive storytelling.
Works well for literary fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction.
Less stress and more time for research and marketing.
❌ Cons:
Harder to build momentum, especially for new authors.
Less frequent revenue from new releases.
🔹 Best for: Authors who prioritize craftsmanship and deep world-building over fast output.
Is this the best schedule for you?
Will your sales data thank you?
Are you cutting off your nose to spite your face?
Be honest.
Evaluate Your Personal Writing Speed and Process
To determine your ideal publishing frequency, you need to honestly assess how fast you can write and edit while maintaining quality.
I’m a dictator; I dictate 90% of what I write. I know I can write two thousand words in half an hour. As long as I have a plan, I can produce content quickly.
Here’s what you need to ask yourself, and answer honestly:
How long does it take me to write a first draft?
Do I have a structured writing routine, or do I struggle with consistency?
But those questions about how fast you write don’t address how fast you can edit and do everything else involved with self-publishing.
Whilst I can write the draft quickly, it doesn’t mean I can edit it just as fast. So it’s important to ask:
How long does editing take for me?
Do I have reliable editors, cover designers, and formatters?
Do I have other responsibilities (job, family, etc.) that impact my writing time?
For example, if you can comfortably write 2,000 words per day, you might complete a 80,000-word novel in 40 days. Add time for editing, formatting, and marketing, and you might be able to release every 3–4 months.
But if you only write 500 words per day, your timeline will be much longer.
There is some simple math here; figure out your numbers and do the additions.
Tracking your writing speed over time will help you set realistic publishing goals that you can sustain long-term.
I like doing this, even if it’s just a crude way of recording. Notebook, pen, take notes.
It’s imperative that you have data to work with before you make this decision. I try to give myself this information before I committed to a schedule.
Aligning Your Publishing Schedule with Your Goals
Your publishing frequency should support your overall career goals. Are you writing for passion, profit, or a combination of both?
And if we take a step back from there, it’s important you know what your writing goals are. They need to be measurable, clear goals, so you can ultimately decide whether you’ve reached them or not.
For example, while it’s nice to say that becoming “a successful writer” is your goal, you can’t work with this in the schedule decision-making process.
A better goal is “100k book sales by 2030“.
It’s tangible, measurable and gives you numbers to work with.
It also indicates how much time and effort you need to invest in self-publishing. It will you acknowledge the speed at which you need to work at; slow or incredibly fast.
If you don’t have the specific numbers though, and more of an overall career goal, the following will help you decide what direction to take: (but again, I stress going back to the numbers first)
If Your Goal is to Build a Full-Time Income:
A faster publishing schedule (3–6 books per year) may be best to grow your backlist quickly.
Focus on high-readership genres where rapid releases perform well.
Consider writing in series, as they encourage read-through and higher earnings.
If Your Goal is Long-Term Quality Writing:
A slower publishing schedule (1–2 books per year) may be ideal for refining your craft.
Spend more time on deep storytelling, world-building, and marketing.
Engage your audience with blog posts, newsletters, and bonus content between releases.
If You’re Balancing Writing with Another Career or Family:
Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to writing.
Avoid burnout by setting a manageable release schedule (e.g., 1–3 books per year).
Work in seasons—write intensively for a few months, then focus on publishing and marketing.
Testing and Adjusting Your Schedule
Publishing is a long-term game, and it’s okay to experiment with different frequencies to find what works for you.
That’s been a reality I’m struggling to accept, by the way. I don’t love the idea of experimenting because I want to remain consistent and reliable with my audience. I also don’t like making promises I can’t keep.
But I acknowledge that it’s important to test and experiment with a schedule until you find something that works.
You won’t find out any other way.
How to Test Your Ideal Publishing Pace
Try a Fast Release Strategy: If you’ve never done it before, test publishing 2–3 books in a short period and track the results. Get into the deep end with your publishing and go for it. Whilst you have the momentum, use it to keep producing content.
Analyze Sales and Reader Engagement: Did sales increase with frequent releases? Were readers excited, or did they struggle to keep up? Use feedback and sales data to see what is working and what didn’t. You will need both, especially if one side is lacking (you didn’t get any feedback, for example).
Assess Your Writing Process: Did the fast pace feel sustainable, or was it overwhelming? Did you get through it without wanting to throw your computer against the wall? Can you actually do it? It’s one thing to do it once, it’s another to back it up.
Adjust Accordingly: If you feel burned out, slow down. If your books gain traction and you enjoy the process, maintain the pace. The results will tell you everything you need to know. And I mean real results, evidence that one way or the other is working for you.
By experimenting and refining, you’ll find a publishing schedule that fits both your creative process and your lifestyle.
It’s not a bad thing, either. You don’t have to nail your schedule straight away.
And once again, I need to take my own advice!
Build Flexibility Into Your Plan
Even with a well-planned schedule, life happens—illness, personal commitments, or creative blocks can derail timelines. That’s why it’s important to build buffer time into your publishing plan.
I’m more passionate about the buffer than I care to admit; it’s important to acknowledge that everything won’t go your way and be ready to cover yourself when it eventually happens.
Count your blessings if everything goes your way, because it will be a miracle if it does.
How to Stay Flexible While Publishing Consistently:
Give yourself extra time: If you think a book will take 3 months, plan for 4. I would almost plan for 6. If it’s your first time, double that. Now is not the time to be arrogant about your abilities.
Have backup projects: If one book gets delayed, consider releasing a novella, short story, or box set instead.
Don’t announce release dates too early: Wait until you’re confident about your schedule before setting hard deadlines.
The goal is to create a sustainable, adaptable publishing strategy that allows for both growth and creative well-being.
Without flexibility, that’s a pipe dream.
But let me just address one thing before we move on, flexibility doesn’t mean you can cruise and take breaks that you shouldn't and things like this.
Flexibility is your insurance cover.
Flexibility is for the disasters.
Flexibility allows you to reach your deadlines.
Don’t use it as an excuse.
Let’s Be Real: Your Best Publishing Frequency is Unique to You
Ultimately, the best publishing schedule balances consistency, quality, and sustainability that makes your writing journey easy and achievable. That’s not rocket science. I’m not pretending this is new information.
But all too often we need to hear this time and again, to make sure it sinks in. We need to find what works for us.
And we need to remember what works for one author may not work for another, so take the time to find your own rhythm. There is no need to rush, genuinely take the time you need to make it's right.
For me, with five books planned this year, I’ll be closely tracking:
My writing speed and editing process
Reader response to different release frequencies
My energy levels and creativity
They will be my biggest indicators. They will tell me everything I need to know. They will form my data to make decisions from.
If I find that rapid publishing is working well, I might maintain or even increase my output. If it becomes overwhelming, I’ll adjust my timeline. The key will be staying adaptable while still moving forward.
No matter what publishing schedule you choose, remember that consistency is more important than speed. Whether you publish twice a year or ten times, steady progress will lead to long-term success.
In the next installment, I will provide some tips on how to create a publishing schedule practically. I want to remove the easier-said-than-done component of a self-publishing schedule.
That’s coming soon!
Pinterest Results
As you may remember from my previous post, I began using Pinterest (seriously) to promote my book and this “Ellen Wrote A Book” stack.
For me, it’s one of those social media platforms many of us know about but rarely talk about warmly.
Or with such intensity.
As promised, I wanted to keep you updated on the progress. This is what we had last time we checked in on March 3rd:
And this is what we have today:
The progress being made here is undeniable. A 492% increase in 30 days—are you kidding me? I haven’t seen this increase in any other avenues, and I’m putting significantly more effort into Instagram, TikTok and Medium, for example.
Let’s keep watching this progression. And let’s see if these phenomenal results translate into sales.
Stay tuned!
Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my writing life, and I hope you feel the same about me.
I want to make this a safe space for writers to ask questions and get their concerns about writing and publishing addressed, so please do not hesitate to bombard the comments sections with your questions/requests/venting!
And FYI, I reference my book a lot, so in case you’re wondering, here is my first self-publishing novel listed on Amazon. If you’re interested in doing this, here’s living proof it’s possible!