Your Book Already Knows When It Wants to Be Born

We might want to replace the word "soon" by an actual date.

When I started thinking about writing my first book a few years ago, I only cared about getting it out there. Just publish it, that would be the holy grail. I thought the promotion would come afterwards.

You can already expect me now to say it shouldn't be an afterthought. But it won't make a difference. You're too occupied with your (first) book. You've got enough on your plate. Step by step, but first the huge step of the book. After that, you'll see what you'll do.

It really doesn't work like that, even if you're convinced otherwise.

I get it. It would already be a big thing to announce you'll soon launch your book. Wow, now you've told others about it. The exact date you might even keep in the middle. But it's just about you, and you think it would force the process if you would inform others about the exact date, instead of "soon".

I would say that being clear about the publication date would be a smart thing to do. Sure, you might think you'll make it heavier now, you'll lose the fun, you get scared, you feel less effortlessness, or whatever else. But then like always, it's not about you. It's about the book. And the book might not mind being announced more specifically and clearly, even though you might not feel ready for that.

So, more concrete now. Announce a date. Not in autumn 2025, but the exact month, day and maybe even time (why not). Tuesday, December 15th, 3:00 PM. You show the book that you're serious about getting it there. And the book will show its gratitude through timely inspiration and other resources you might think you need.

Others know better when to expect what, and they can pre-order if they feel like it. It just feels a bit more professional compared to keeping it in the middle and letting the universe decide. The universe might have already made its decision, through you with a specific date. No need to worry now.

You're not working towards that deadline, but you're working back to it. Because it's already there, you just reveal it.

You can start with the soft launch, which is just for your network. You gather some first reviews and this will give you a headstart in the online book store's algorithm (like Amazon), so you're a contender instead of a book which will never be organically shown to people on its platform.

I used to think clear book announcements were about locking yourself into something before you were ready. But this might not be the case. It might be even more likely that staying away from announcing the date will actually lock it.

The book has been gestating for months, maybe years. It has its own timeline. When you announce a date, you're not imposing your will on the natural process. You're acknowledging what's already true.

This is what I mean about working back from the date instead of toward it. The date exists somewhere in the field of possibility. Your job is to sense where it lives, to feel into the rightness of it.

October 12th? No, that's too rushed. January 8th? Too far away, the momentum will fade. December 15th? Yes, that's it. That's when your book might want to be released.

The announcement becomes an act of recognition. The book responds. It knows you're taking it seriously enough. The inspiration flows differently when you're working with the book's natural rhythm instead of against your own anxiety about timing.

Speaking of launch dates: The Art of Unwriting will be released on Friday, August 15th. Message me if you'd like early access for the symbolic price of one euro.