A month-by-month plan for UK authors selling books at Christmas, from locking print files in September to Boxing Day promotions and the January book-token rush.

How UK independent bookshops buy stock, what discount and returns terms they expect, and how to pitch a regional title in person — without an agent or distributor.

Ten no-cost ways UK authors can promote their books, from library talks and local press to reader swaps and newsletter cross-promotion.