Use unusual September holidays for book promotion
September brings many opportunities for book promotion when you link your book to one of the many offbeat and unexpected holidays that are unique to this fall month.
Can any of them inspire ideas for a blog post, publicity angle, or an image to share on social media?
I like this month’s list because so many of the holidays are universal – you don’t need to have a connection to your book to have fun with them. You can probably find more than one unusual September holiday for book promotion on the list to work into your upcoming book promotion schedule.
Matching books with quirky occasions
Here are a couple of ideas from the September calendar to help jumpstart your thought process.
On September 5, “Be Late for Something Day,” create a social media image honoring the occasion. When sharing it, ask people to respond with what they plan to be late for that day.
“Wife Appreciation Day” on September 15 is a springboard for blog posts from people who write about relationships or romance. It’s the perfect opportunity for any author with a wife to blog about why they appreciate her.
September 28 is “National Good Neighbor Day.” Ask people to share their definition of a “good neighbor.” The different perspectives could generate interesting insights and discussions.
Unusual September holidays for book promotion
Here’s a short list of some of the fun occasions coming up next month. Get the full list at Holiday Insights.
- September 3 Skyscraper Day
- September 5 Be Late for Something Day
- September 5 Cheese Pizza Day
- September 6 Fight Procrastination Day
- September 6 Read a Book Day
- September 8 Grandparent’s Day
- September 9 Teddy Bear Day
- September 10 Sewing Machine Day
- September 11 Make Your Bed Day
- September 12 Chocolate Milk Shake Day
- September 13 Defy Superstition Day
- September 13 Fortune Cookie Day
- September 13 Positive Thinking Day
- September 15 Wife Appreciation Day
- September 16 Collect Rocks Day
- September 16 Stepfamily Day
- September 18 National Cheeseburger Day
- September 19 International Talk Like A Pirate Day
- September 22 Elephant Appreciation Day
- September 28 Ask a Stupid Question Day
- September 28 National Good Neighbor Day
- September 29 Confucius Day
You can also take advantage of the perennial book promotion opportunities that come in September that include kids going back to school and the start of fall. No matter what you do, don’t let the month slip by without promoting your book in some way.
Which of these holidays is a good fit for you and your book, and why? How will you use it?
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Thank you, Sandra! What fun days. But nothing on my hubby’s birthday (the 21s)! I guess he gets to keep that one all to himself. 🙂
I have a book with a teddy bear as a secondary character called
‘Gracie and the Magic Feathers’. I haven’t done much in the way of marketing it, but I think I may give it a bit of a push between now and Nat’l Teddy Bear Day.
I’m also putting together a book called ‘Good Fences, Good Neighbors’. It’s a collection of photographs and ideas on ways to get to know your neighbors, throw block parties, etc. I am going to wrap that one up and release it on Nat’l Good Neighbor Day with some good previews of it between now and the 28th.
And what to do about International Talk LIke a Pirate Day … hmmm … :).
Thank you again!
Thanks, Deb! I’m glad you see some ideas here (but your poor husband — no holiday for him!). I love the idea behind your good neighbors book. I thank my lucky stars every day that I’m surrounded by good neighbors. They’re all inherently good people and that’s a big part of it. You’ve got the perfect holiday for the launch, so really milk that one! Good luck!
Sandy
Where did you find this wonderful list? I’d like to have one for every month. Great promotional gimmick.
Hey Sharon, it’s from Holiday Insights and I linked to the source when I posted this. It’s just above the calendar list. That site has these for every month. It’s fantastic!
Sandy
Only in America can you have “Cheese Pizza” and “Ask a Stupid Question” days! I’m sure any writer – fiction or non-fiction – can figure one of these “holidays” into their writing and subsequent promotional ventures. I feel my latest novel involving death and circumstances will go well with “Defy Superstition Day”. Or maybe “Positive Thinking Day”. I’ll figure it out. Thanks, Sandra!
Alejandro, I love how you think! I’m glad you’re planning to have a little fun with this! : )
Sandy
Sandy, thanks for this list giving unique ways to promote our books. There is certainly something on this list or the fuller list from Holiday Insights that we can all use to promote our books.
You’re welcome, Flora!
Sandy
This is great fun, Sandy! Thanks for awesome ideas. They are sure conversation starters!
They definitely are, Sonia! I hope you can use 1 or 2 of them.
Sandy
Hello, Sandra,
I love these things but I am such a newbie I don’t know what to do with them. As yet I don’t have a website or blog – I don’t even know how to start an email list! It is so hard to find out where to start.
Patricia
Patricia, do you use Facebook? If you do, that’s a great place to start.
Sandy