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Publishing Countdown Calculator

Count down to your release date and get a back-planned schedule for editing, cover, proofs, pre-order and launch.

Your Inputs

Adjust milestone timing (days before release)
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Your Results

Loading today's date…

About the Publishing Countdown Calculator

A launch has a lot of moving parts, and most of them have to happen weeks before release day. This calculator starts from your release date and works backwards, giving every key milestone a real calendar date: manuscript to editor, cover brief, final cover files, interior formatting, proof copy, pre-order setup, advance reader copies, final file upload and launch promotion.

Each milestone shows its date, how many days away it is and a status of Past, Today or Upcoming, so you can see at once whether your release date is realistic. If several milestones are already in the past, either they are done or the release date needs to move.

The default timing reflects a common self-publishing schedule, but every project is different. Open Adjust milestone timing to change how many days before release each step happens, then download the plan as a calendar file (.ics) you can import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook, or as plain text. Pair it with the Book Launch Checklist for the detailed tasks inside each milestone.

How It Works

Days left is the number of calendar days from today to the release date. Today defaults to your device's date in your own time zone.

Each milestone date is the release date minus that milestone's days-before value. The days from today and the status are then worked out against today's date.

Milestones that would already be in the past are counted and flagged so you can check they are done.

The calendar download creates one all-day event per milestone. Nothing is uploaded: the file is built in your browser.

Formula

Days left
Days left = Release date − Today
Milestone date
Milestone date = Release date − Days before release

Example

A release on 1 June 2026, planned on 5 January 2026

  1. Today: 5 January 2026. Release date: 1 June 2026.
  2. Days left: 147, or 21 weeks.
  3. Manuscript to editor (120 days before): 1 February 2026.
  4. Order paperback proof (42 days before): 20 April 2026.
  5. Set up eBook pre-order (30 days before): 2 May 2026.
  6. Final files uploaded to KDP (7 days before): 25 May 2026.

With 147 days to go, every milestone is still upcoming, starting with the manuscript to your editor on 1 February.

Important Notes

  • Default milestone timings are a planning starting point, not KDP requirements. Adjust them to match your editor, designer and printer.
  • KDP's pre-order rules, including the deadline for final files, can change. Check the current rules in your KDP Bookshelf when you set up a pre-order.
  • Proof copy shipping times vary by country and season, so allow extra time if you are outside the US.
  • Weekends and holidays are not skipped. Move a milestone if it lands on a day you will not work.
  • Your milestone changes are kept only while the page is open.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should I set my release date?

If your manuscript still needs editing, three to six months is common for a self-published book. Enter a candidate date and check whether any milestones are already past.

Can I change the milestone timings?

Yes. Open Adjust milestone timing and change the days before release for any step. Use Restore default timing to go back to the original plan.

How do I add the schedule to my calendar?

Choose Download .ics and open or import the file in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. Each milestone becomes an all-day event that does not block your time.

What does a Past status mean?

That milestone's date is before today on this timeline. If you have already finished it, carry on. If not, consider moving the release date.

When should I order a paperback proof?

Allow enough time to print, ship and review it, and to order a second proof if you need to fix something. The default plan orders it six weeks before release.

Does this set up my pre-order on KDP?

No. It is a planning tool only. Pre-orders are set up in your KDP Bookshelf.

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