January has a strange habit of making authors feel behind before the year has even finished its first cup of coffee.
From my little cabin by the lake in a small Georgia mountain town, January looks less like a deadline and more like a gift. It is quiet. It is reflective. It is the one month where planning matters far more than pushing.
If you are thinking about publishing this year, January is not the time to rush your book into the world. It is the time to make strategic decisions that will save you money, stress, and regret later. Most publishing panic I see comes from skipping this phase and trying to solve big problems under small deadlines.
The Strategic Decisions That Matter Most
Before design even begins, authors face a handful of decisions that quietly shape the entire project.
You will need to think about where the book will be sold. Amazon only or wide distribution changes trim sizes, ISBN needs, and even cover design choices.
You will need to decide what formats you are releasing. Paperback, hardcover, ebook, or all three affect interior layout and production timelines.
You will need to understand your audience. Genre expectations, reading habits, and price sensitivity all influence cover design and interior pacing.
And yes, you will need to be honest about timing. Not your dream timeline, but a realistic one that allows for editing, design, proofing, and revisions without panic.
When these decisions are made early, design becomes intentional instead of reactive. If you want more insight into that process, Starting the Year Right: What Authors Should Know Before Designing Their Book is a good place to start. You may also find The Best Times of Year to Release Your Self-Published Book reassuring if your calendar is already giving you side-eye.
A January Checklist for Future You
Here is a simple planning checklist I often walk authors through at JohnEdgar.Design. You do not need perfect answers, just honest ones.
Manuscript readiness
- Is the manuscript complete or close to complete?
- Has it been professionally edited or scheduled for editing?
Publishing goals
- Where will the book be sold?
- What formats will be released?
Audience clarity
- Who is the ideal reader?
- What genre expectations need to be met?
Timeline reality
- Desired release window
- Built-in buffer time for revisions and proofing
Design preparation
- Comparable books you like visually
- Any series or brand consistency goals
Logistics
- ISBN plan
- Print versus ebook priorities
Having these answers does not lock you in. It simply gives you a map.
When authors come to my studio early in the year with this level of clarity, the design process is calmer, faster, and far more enjoyable. Covers get explored instead of rushed. Interiors get paced instead of crammed. Decisions feel thoughtful instead of forced.
If part of your January planning includes book cover design, interior layout, or ebook formatting, that is exactly the kind of early-stage work my book design services are built to support. No pressure, no urgency. Just smart preparation that leads to better books. You can explore those services here when you are ready:
https://johnedgar.design/service
January is not about productivity contests or racing invisible deadlines. It is about setting yourself up so future-you is not designing a book while stressed, tired, and negotiating with the calendar.
Plan now. Panic less later.
