Rapid release publishing means working on your books consistently and launching them one after the other, usually books in the same series. How close together is up to you: I aim for about four books a year, and you can start with one.
What does rapid release mean?
It sounds more intense than it is. Rapid releasing is pretty much what it sounds like: you work on your books in a consistent way and launch them one after the other, instead of publishing one book and then going quiet for a year or two. It works best when the books are part of the same series.
How fast is up to you. For me, rapid release has meant about four books a year, and I teach it as a pace you set. Yours might start with a single book a year, and that still counts. You have to crawl before you can run.
What are the ways to rapid release a series?
There are six common ways to schedule a series, and the difference between them is how much time you leave between launches:
- Drop 1-2-2. Book two launches a week after book one, book three two weeks after that, and book four two weeks after that. It is fast, and I find it can be overwhelming for readers and for authors.
- Two all around. After book one, each book launches two weeks later. Your ads and promotions need to be set up in advance for this one to run smoothly.
- Four all around. One book every four weeks. This is the schedule I chose for my Windhaven Witches series, because anything faster felt frantic to me and I like having a little space to talk about each book.
- More than four. Books five or six weeks apart, or without a set schedule. Readers can lose the thread between books, so it is harder to keep them hooked, but it can be a reasonable place to start while you find your footing.
- Netflix style. The whole series launches at once. With every book landing at the same time, the series has a shorter shelf life on Amazon's charts, and you need a big advertising budget upfront so readers know the other books exist.
- Never-ending story. A book a month, or even every two weeks. Some authors do this well, sometimes with co-authors. It is not for everyone, and I do not think I could keep it up without losing my mind.
How do you pick the one that fits you?
Do not copy someone else's calendar. Answer three questions first:
- What are your publishing goals? Are the books for friends and family, or part of a long-term author platform? Write your answer down.
- What are your financial goals? Start with the big picture, break it into a monthly number, and work backward to what that would take.
- What can you logically sustain? Some people write quickly and some write slowly, so be honest about which you are.
The schedule only works if the books exist before you promise readers a date. If you write slowly, that may mean getting several books in order first, and it can mean waiting a year or two before the first one goes out. That waiting is hard, but it is how the schedule stays in your control instead of becoming something you chase.
What does juggling a rapid release schedule look like?
I compare it to a big family. At any moment you may have older books in your backlist, a book about to launch, a book in edits, a finished book waiting for edits, a book you are drafting, and a book that is only an idea. Each one is at a different stage and each needs a different kind of attention, so you cannot pretend any of them does not exist. Knowing where each book is, and where it is headed, is what keeps the whole schedule moving. If the juggling gets to be too much, hiring a personal assistant can help.
Where do you start if it sounds like too much?
Start small and build experience. Writing and publishing get faster the more you do them, and even if rapid release for you simply means a book a year, you are building the habit. I once suggested NaNoWriMo as a low-risk way to test the pace. NaNoWriMo shut down in 2025, so see my NaNoWriMo tips and alternatives for other ways to try it.
Episode 6: Six Ways to Schedule a Rapid Release Series
Recorded in December 2019. It walks through the six schedules and the three questions. The Amazon chart details and my course plans are dated. Read the episode page
Episode 43: How Do You Juggle Multiple Books at Once?
Recorded in August 2020. It covers the big family comparison. My series and release plans from that year are dated. Read the episode page
Episode 50: How Do You Test the Rapid Release Waters?
Recorded in October 2020. It covers starting small and using NaNoWriMo as a test. NaNoWriMo has since shut down. Read the episode page
Want the full plan?
Rapid Release Roadmap walks you through the six-week sprint and a pace of about four books a year, and you set the pace. If you would like everything I teach, the Library Pass opens all 23 masterclasses for a one-time $97.
See Rapid Release RoadmapKeep reading
- How do I avoid rapid release burnout?
- How many books should an indie author publish a year?
- Back to the Rapid Release hub
Frequently asked questions
What does rapid release mean in publishing?
It means working on your books consistently and launching them one after the other, usually books in the same series. How close together is up to you.
Do I have to publish a book every month?
No. Some authors release a book a month or even every two weeks, but I do not think that pace is for everyone. I aim for about four books a year, and you can start with one.
Does rapid release only work for a series?
I teach it for books in the same series, because that is where it works best.
Which release schedule should I choose?
It depends on your publishing goals, your financial goals, and what you can sustain. I chose one book every four weeks for my Windhaven Witches series because it felt comfortable to me.
What if I write slowly?
Rapid release is not for everyone without a plan. If you write slowly, you may need to get your books in order first, which can mean waiting a year or two before the first one goes out.
Carissa Andrews is an indie author with 30+ books who teaches indie fiction authors how to plan, write and publish on a pace they can hold. More about me
