What to Publish When in 2025: Popular Genres for Every Month

Monday, February 03, 2025

There are often many questions that arise around the topic of when to publish a book. What's the best time of year to publish for your particular genre? Is there a right time and/or a wrong time? Does it make a difference? 

The truth is that there's no magical formula for determining when the prime time is to publish books of different genres, but we do have some clues based on sales data and industry trends. We've compiled a helpful list below for you to use in planning your next book, highlighting some of the most popular genres for each month of the year.

JANUARY

The beginning of a new year is often like a breath of fresh air, full of new possibilities and motivations, making January a prime time for publishing new books. Readers are eager to start fresh and dive into new ideas, leading to a surge in book sales and interest. 

Best Genres for January

Self-Help and Motivational Books: At the beginning of the year, readers are looking for guidance on how to improve their lives in a number of ways: diet, personal growth, financial guidance, and increased productivity to name a few. These books provide the tools and inspiration needed to kickstart the year on a positive note. 

Science Fiction: At first glance, this might seem like an odd fit, but sci-fi also sees a rise in popularity in January. The genre's ability to whisk readers away to exciting new worlds and explore futuristic ideas is perfect for anyone eager to escape the everyday and dive into something truly amazing. 

Cozy Mysteries: The chilly nights of January create the ideal backdrop for these books, known for their playful and often funny approach to crime-solving, offering page-turning entertainment for readers eager to curl up with a great read.

FEBRUARY

February is the month of love, and fans of romance novels just can't get enough. It's also still a cold month, and the dark, often snowy setting aligns well with the suspenseful narrative of a chilling mystery or an escape via some engaging historical fiction. 

Best Genres for February

Romance: This is prime time for romance novels, as readers are on the lookout for heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. This is also an ideal month for publishing romantasy novels. 

Mystery & Thrillers: These books are favorites all year round, but they gain particular traction in the chill of February, from psychological thrillers to classic whodunits.

Nonfiction (Biographies and Memoirs): February often sees a rise in memoirs, biographies, and true crime books, particularly those related to influential figures or historical events. Books with an empowering message or social relevance also tend to do well.

MARCH

As winter thaws and spring approaches, readers are diving into new genres and literary trends that perfectly capture the essence of Spring. Cozy mysteries, romance novels, and nonfiction  still thrive in March, but there are several other genres that do well this month. 

Best Genres for March

Travel Guides & Adventure: As people start thinking about travel for the upcoming summer, travel guides and books about adventurous destinations, road trips, and exploration see a rise in popularity. These books are particularly favored by those planning vacations, getaways, or travel experiences for the warmer months.

Young Adult (YA) Novels: Stories addressing themes of identity, belonging, and personal growth that break new ground and resonate with today's youth are especially popular in the springtime. 

Eco-Literature: With its promise of renewal and growth, March is an ideal time for readers to explore books that focus on nature, sustainability, environmental activism, and the urgent need for conservation.

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APRIL

As flowers bloom and days grow longer, April brings a fresh wave of book genres to captivate readers across the globe. While eco-fiction and historical fiction are still big in April, readers are looking for titles in a number of other genres as well. 

Best Genres for April

Psychological Thrillers: Psychological thrillers exploring themes of identity, deception, and mental health can make the most of readers' desire for gripping, edge-of-your-seat storytelling. 

Poetry Collections: April, celebrated as National Poetry Month in the United States, is the perfect time to release new poetry collections. Whether dealing with personal experiences or broader social themes, poems released now can provide solace and inspiration.

Diverse Romances: The month's sense of renewal and growth aligns perfectly with love stories that break traditional molds and offer fresh perspectives. Themes of identity, culture, and acceptance make for touching and meaningful reads at this time.

MAY

May is a month of celebration and growth, and many books are released at this time to coincide with Mother's Day, Graduations, and Memorial Day. Other than the obvious, however, readers are looking for imaginative stories as the weather improves, and longer days encourage more leisure time for reading.

Best Genres for May

Epic Fantasy: Readers who like to dive into new worlds and lose themselves in epic journeys are looking for fantasy adventures as spring is still alive and summer awaits.                               

Children's: Summer break is looming, and books about summer adventures, family vacations, trips to the beach, and other outdoor fun are ideal for children at this time of year.

Mysteries: May offers those who enjoy a good puzzle and the thrill of the unknown a variety of mysteries that will keep readers guessing until the very last page.

JUNE

For the middle of the year and the month of Summer Solstice, books related to Father's Day, Juneteenth, and Pride are all popular releases at this time. Other genres ripe for release in June include: 

Best Genres for June

Light Summer Reads: Consider publishing contemporary fiction, beach reads, and feel-good novels that can be effortlessly enjoyed by the poolside or at the beach.

Personal Growth: Summer is a time when readers look to expand their horizons with nonfiction books about self-improvement, travel, or learning new skills.

YA Fiction: This genre remains incredibly popular during the summer months, especially among teenagers on their school break. Consider novels in genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary fiction.

JULY

The types of books people are drawn to in July reflect the mood of summer—light adventures and  thought-provoking reads. People often read to escape their daily routines while they relax during vacations, travel, or warm weather.

Best Genres for July

Adventure: At a time when people often seek to break free from the daily grind and the stresses of everyday life, adventure novels provide an immersive experience to new, often faraway places.

Sci-Fi: Summer is a time for escapism. Sci-fi can distract readers from the heat and provide mental stimulation without requiring much physical activity.

Biographies: Nonfiction books tend to do well in the summer, and biographies often have a narrative structure that makes them easy to read in short bursts, perfect for relaxing by the beach or pool.

AUGUST

In August, popular book genres mirror July's but with some slight changes. As summer ends, readers rush to finish lighter reads, while some genres start aligning with fall themes.

Best Genres for August

Contemporary Fiction: Readers are still enjoying the fun, lighter fare that fiction has to offer before the summer ends. Contemporary fiction is all about the here and now, featuring ordinary people living everyday lives.

Suspense: August is an ideal time for page-turning tales, and dark or atmospheric suspense thrillers potentially set the tone for the upcoming autumn months.

Seasonal Romance: Though it's a popular genre year-round, at this time readers are looking for tales that evoke end-of-summer nostalgia and/or the transition to fall. Think pumpkin-spiced meet-cutes and back-to-school crushes.

SEPTEMBER

September marks the end of summer and the transition into fall—a time when readers are ready for new content and more serious reading after the relaxed vibes of summer. 

Best Genres for September

Literary Fiction: As the season kicks in, readers tend to gravitate toward books that are a bit more serious and introspective. Literary fiction, with its deep character exploration and often thought-provoking themes, is perfect for September.

Cookbooks: September is a prime month to release cooking and/or entertaining books aimed at seasonal cooking trends, food-focused holidays, and the gift-buying season. 

Historical Fiction: Fall is often a time for reflection, and historical novels that tap into important events or significant eras are ideal for this time. 

OCTOBER

The transition to cooler weather, shorter days, and the anticipation of Halloween set a mood that many genres tap into. Books released now often capitalize on the eerie vibes of the season, as well as the cozy, reflective nature of autumn.

Best Genres for October

Horror: Readers are looking for dark, chilling stories to get into the Halloween spirit. Whether it's psychological, supernatural, or gothic fiction, this is the time when these stories shine.

True Crime: It's a time for both reflective and spooky reading, so nonfiction books in the true crime genre or those that tap into the psychological or supernatural themes of the season do well. 

Graphic Novels: Graphic novels with a spooky or creepy atmosphere can tap into the Halloween excitement, while those with fantasy or adventure elements are a perfect way to escape as the weather turns cooler.

NOVEMBER

As the days grow shorter and colder, readers often seek books that offer an escape, emotional depth, or warmth. November is also when people begin thinking about gifts for the holiday season, so books that appeal to gift-giving, reflection, and cozy moments are especially popular.

Best Genres for November

Holiday & Cozy Fiction: Books with cozy, festive vibes are ideal for readers who want something to curl up with as the weather gets colder. Cozy romances, family sagas, and holiday-themed stories are especially popular.

Cookbooks: Cookbooks centered around holiday meals and comfort food are ideal for November, as they help people prepare for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holiday gatherings. These cookbooks are also popular gifts.

Coffee Table/Gift Books: Books about art, design, fashion, photography, travel, architecture, nature, and celebrity culture tend to do well in November. Titles with high visual appeal, memorable subjects, and a sense of luxury make ideal holiday gifts.

DECEMBER

This month, the holiday season is in full swing, and readers are looking for books that evoke warmth, reflection, and festive cheer. It's also the peak of the gift-buying season, so books that make great presents are highly sought after.

Best Genres for December

Children's: Holiday books, winter-themed stories, and books about giving, kindness, and family are particularly popular. Interactive books that are fun to give and receive are also highly sought after during the gift-buying season.

Nonfiction (Self-Help, Inspiration, and Memoirs): Books on personal growth, wellness, mindfulness, and productivity are in demand. Biographies and memoirs of influential people or celebrities also attract attention, especially if related to resilience, overcoming adversity, or achieving success.

Fiction (Holiday & Christmas): Books with holiday themes are perfect gifts and offer readers a way to experience the magic of the season through storytelling. Releasing books in early December allows them to be part of the seasonal gift-buying rush.


As you can see, it's not rocket science, and there's no tried-and-true method for determining when your book is most likely to sell. However, by aligning your book's release with seasonal trends and reader preferences, you can maximize your impact and reach the right audience at the right time. And timing can make all the difference in your book’s success. 

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IngramSpark Staff

IngramSpark® is an award-winning independent publishing platform, offering indie authors and publishers the ability to create, manage, and globally distribute print and ebooks.

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