As authors, it is important to be looking for ways to tie our books into the news of the day or culture trends.
I am a fan of the national calendar of events. Depending on the subject of your book, it may match one of the many events, celebrations, and themes going on within that particular month.
Here are 13 things commonly associated with February, including those relevant to authors. Is there one (or more) that applies to your book? If so, you can make it newsworthy again. February is:
Black History Month: February is celebrated as Black History Month in the United States, honoring the achievements and history of African Americans.
Valentine’s Day (February 14th): A day dedicated to celebrating love and affection between intimate partners, often marked by the exchange of cards, flowers, and gifts.
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year: Often falling in February, this is a significant festival celebrated by Chinese communities and other Asian cultures, marking the start of the new year according to the lunar calendar. It falls on February 10th this year and is the Year of the Dragon.
Groundhog Day: A North American tradition where the behavior of a groundhog is observed as a predictor of the arrival of spring. Time to watch the movie again!! Here is one of my favorite scenes.
Presidents’ Day (USA): Celebrated on the third Monday of February, falling on the 19th this year, this holiday honors past U.S. Presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Leap Year (Every Four Years): February has 29 days instead of 28 during a leap year, which occurs every four years to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth’s revolutions around the Sun. And this year is leap year! Tony Robbins gets to have an actual day for his birthday and so does anyone else born on February 29th.
National Library Lovers Month (USA): A month-long celebration of libraries and library lovers, making it a significant time for authors and readers alike. So true!
National Heart Month: In many countries, February is observed as a month to raise awareness about heart health and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Be good to your heart. It beats for you!
Carnival Season: Leading up to Lent, February is often the time for carnivals around the world, including the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Fashion Weeks: Major cities like New York, London, Milan, and Paris host their autumn/winter fashion weeks in February, showcasing the latest trends from top designers.
National Inventors’ Day (USA, February 11th): In the United States, this day celebrates the contributions of inventors to society, coinciding with the birthday of Thomas Edison.
Safer Internet Day (Second Day of the Second Week of February): A day dedicated to promoting safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially among children and young people. It falls on February 6th this year.
Author Achievements: February is often a time when various literary awards and recognitions are announced, shining a spotlight on authors’ achievements in different genres and categories. If you’ve entered your book for any awards, good luck!
Bottom line
These are just some of the special events, celebrations, and themes in the month of February. If you can tie your book into one or more of them, you may be able to get some great media coverage for your book.
If you want to discuss other ways to make your book newsworthy, drop me an email or let’s connect on social media.
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. It’s a celebration!
#februaryforauthors
#bookmarketing
#bookpublicity
#itsacelebration
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