29 weird, wacky, and whimsical book promotion opportunities in July

Need a little more fun with your mid-year book marketing? Take advantage of these quirky and unexpected July book promotion opportunities.

July is kind of a big month in North America.

On July 1, Canada commemorates the Constitution Act of 1867 with Canada Day. In the U.S., Americans celebrate adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, Independence Day. This year marks the 250^th anniversary of that foundational event.

July is also the most popular vacation month in the U.S., in large part because students are enjoying their summer break. Keep that in mind if your book is the perfect beach read.

One thing’s for sure: July brings authors much more than annual, national celebrations and rituals. It offers an intriguing list of lighthearted, unexpected, and quirky occasions you can use to bring attention to your book.

How to leverage book promotion opportunities in July

What’s the best way to take advantage of the many fun July book promotion opportunities listed below?

Once you identify those that are a good fit for your book or promotion goals, how can you use them?

I’ve selected a few less obvious examples to inspire your brainstorming. But if you write science fiction, you’ll love World UFO day – especially since UFOs are having a moment – and western novelists should run with Day of the Cowboy.

July is Anti-Boredom Month

Is your children’s book about a child who complains about being bored?

Do you write about psychology?

Would you describe a main character in your novel as “over-extended?”

Research shows that boredom is actually a good thing. In fact, researchers claim that not enough boredom is behind depression and anxiety. Consider a counterintuitive approach to Anti-Boredom Month by advocating for more boredom.   

Here are a few ideas:

• Create and distribute a tip sheet for parents on how to help children tolerate “boredom” – a summer vacation affliction that often occurs immediately after the last day of school.
• Write a newsletter article challenging people to disconnect from electronics more often so they can be in their minds while cooking, exercising, and so on. Explain why it’s smart to do so; set goals for your readers.
• Create an Instagram carousel on why boredom is important to our health.

July 11, Cheer Up the Lonely Day

Is one of your book’s characters lonely?

Are you a therapist?

Do you write for young adults?

Loneliness is an epidemic in the U.S., especially among those 30-44. (That age range surprised me – did it surprise you, too?)

If you improve one life by connecting your book to this occasion in a constructive, helpful way, it will be well worth your time.

• Before the holiday, ask your social media connections or newsletter subscribers what they do to combat loneliness, then create a series of social media images or infographics documenting their tips.
• Create a series of short videos about how to overcome loneliness for YouTube and social media.
• Interview a therapist about how to deal with loneliness for an Instagram or Facebook Live event, Tiktok, or YouTube.

July 14, National Macaroni and Cheese Day

Are you a cookbook author?

Have you written a book about cheese?

Are you a cheesehead?

I’ll confess that I selected this one because I loooooove macaroni and cheese. I collect mac and cheese recipes (and I make them!). I even have a macaroni and cheese cookbook.

Here are a few ideas to use on this oh-so-special day. (Do we get mail on National Macaroni and Cheese Day?)

• Survey your newsletter subscribers about how they feel about macaroni and cheese. Do they love it or hate it? Share results in your next newsletter and on social media.
• Record yourself making your favorite mac and cheese recipe for YouTube and social media. Include the recipe (with attribution) in the caption.
• Ask your subscribers and social media connections to send you their favorite mac and cheese recipes. Compile them into an e-book shared with contributors and others. (In the right situation, it could be a fun lead/reader magnet.)

Your July book promotion idea triggers

Here’s a partial list of the July marketing opportunities you can add to next month’s book promotion calendar. Get the full list on the Holiday Insights site. (And while you’re there, look ahead to other months.)

• National Anti-Boredom Month
• National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
• National Park and Recreation Month
• July 6-12 Nude Recreation Week
• July 1 Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day
• July 1 International Chicken Wing Day
• July 2 I Forgot Day
• July 2 World UFO Day
• July 3 Compliment Your Mirror Day
• July 3 Eat Beans Day
• July 5 Build a Scarecrow Day
• July 6 International Kissing Day
• July 9 National Dimples Day
• July 10 National Motorcycle Day
• July 11 Cheer up the Lonely Day
• July 12 Different Colored Eyes Day
• July 13 Fool’s Paradise Day
• July 14 Cow Appreciation Day
• July 14 National Macaroni and Cheese Day
• July 15 Be a Dork Day
• July 15 National Give Something Away Day
• July 17 World Emoji Day
• July 20 Moon Day
• July 23 National Sprinkle Day
• July 24 Cousins Day
• July 24 National Drive-Thru Day
• July 25 Day of the Cowboy
• July 27 National Love is Kind Day
• July 30 International Day of Friendship

Be sure to check out the list of book-related occasions during July in our 2026 literary calendar, too.

Need a book marketing coach to help you determine where to put your effort with book marketing, publicity, and promotion? I can help! Learn more on my book marketing coaching page.

Which of these fun July holidays speak to you? How will you use this list next month to create engagement while calling attention to your book in a lighthearted way? Please tell us in a comment.