book release timing

(Keith in sff.net was worried about my book coming out the week after Christmas . . .)

I'm always of two minds about that, Keith . . . you want your book out for sale to possible Christmas shoppers -- but the bookstores are crowded with holiday stuff, and a mere novel not by Steven King is not getting any placement or promo.  It occurs to me that I might have a Grinch Factor in my favor -- coming out in early January, I can nab some people coming back to bookstores with returns and with shiny new gift cards!The season is all about optimism, anyhow!Joe