What Does Bimonthly Mean in Publishing?

Glossary > Bimonthly

What Does Bimonthly Mean?

The word bimonthly combines the prefix bi-, meaning two or twice, with monthly.

As a result, it has developed two commonly accepted meanings:

1. Twice a month
2. Every two months

When someone describes a publication, report, or meeting as bimonthly, the surrounding context may indicate which definition they mean. However, context does not always remove the ambiguity.

For clear professional communication, it is usually better to replace bimonthly with a more precise phrase.

Instead of saying:

We publish a bimonthly newsletter.

Write:

We publish two newsletters each month.

Or:

We publish one newsletter every two months.

What Does Bimonthly Mean in Publishing?

In publishing, bimonthly normally describes how frequently a periodical or recurring piece of content is released.

The term may be applied to:

• Magazines
• Literary journals
• Newsletters
• Serialized fiction
• Trade publications
• Academic journals
• Author updates
• Reader communications
• Sales reports
• Royalty statements
• Marketing reports
• Editorial meetings

A publisher might refer to a bimonthly magazine, bimonthly newsletter, or bimonthly royalty report. In each case, the word could theoretically mean twice each month or once every two months.

This ambiguity matters because publishing work often depends on deadlines. Editors, designers, contributors, distributors, advertisers, and authors all need to understand exactly when content is due and when it will be released.

Bimonthly Publishing Schedule Example

Suppose a literary magazine says it follows a bimonthly publication schedule.

If bimonthly means once every two months, the schedule might be:

• January
• March
• May
• July
• September
• November

The magazine would publish six issues per year.

If bimonthly means twice a month, it might publish around the first and fifteenth day of every month.

That schedule would produce approximately 24 issues per year.

The difference between six and 24 annual issues is significant. This is why publishers should give contributors, subscribers, and commercial partners a precise schedule rather than relying on the word bimonthly alone.

Does Bimonthly Mean Twice a Month?

Yes. Bimonthly can mean twice a month.

However, semimonthly is usually a clearer word for this frequency.

A semimonthly schedule divides the month into two publication or payment periods. For example:

• The first and fifteenth day of each month
• The fifteenth and final day of each month
• The first and third Monday of each month

A semimonthly publication therefore releases 24 issues or editions in a full year.

In everyday business communication, the phrase twice a month is often even clearer than semimonthly.

Does Bimonthly Mean Every Two Months?

Yes. Bimonthly can also mean once every two months.

A publication following this schedule would normally produce six issues per year.

Publishers can avoid ambiguity by using phrases such as:

• Every two months
• Once every two months
• Six times a year
• Published in January, March, May, July, September, and November

Stating the exact months is particularly helpful for magazine subscriptions, editorial calendars, advertising agreements, and contributor deadlines.

Bimonthly vs. Semimonthly

Bimonthly can mean either twice a month or once every two months.

Semimonthly means twice a month.

For example:

• A semimonthly newsletter is sent 24 times per year.
• A publication released every two months appears six times per year.
• A bimonthly newsletter could theoretically refer to either schedule.

Although semimonthly is more precise, some readers may still be unfamiliar with it. Writing twice a month is often the clearest option.

Bimonthly vs. Biweekly

Biweekly has the same type of ambiguity as bimonthly.

It can mean:

• Twice a week
• Once every two weeks

If biweekly means once every two weeks, the schedule produces approximately 26 releases per year. This is not the same as a semimonthly schedule, which produces 24 releases per year.

For example, a newsletter sent every second Friday follows a two-week cycle. It will occasionally be sent three times within the same calendar month.

A newsletter sent on the first and fifteenth of every month follows a semimonthly cycle and is always sent exactly twice during each month.

Bimonthly vs. Biennial and Biannual

These terms describe different frequencies:

• Bimonthly: Twice a month or once every two months
• Biannual or biannually: Twice a year
• Biennial or biennially: Once every two years

For example, a publisher might conduct a biannual catalog review in June and December. A biennial publishing conference would take place once every two years.

As with bimonthly, using the exact frequency or dates can make the meaning clearer.

How Many Times a Year Is Bimonthly?

The answer depends on which definition is intended.

• Twice a month: 24 times per year
• Every two months: Six times per year

This large difference explains why the term can create problems in contracts, subscription offers, publishing schedules, and project plans.

When a numerical frequency matters, use the number directly.

For example:

The journal publishes six issues per year.

This is clearer than:

The journal publishes bimonthly.

Can a Magazine Be Published Bimonthly?

Yes. Magazines, literary journals, trade publications, and newsletters can all follow bimonthly schedules.

However, the publisher should clarify whether the publication appears twice a month or once every two months.

A magazine published once every two months may label its issues using two-month periods, such as:

• January/February
• March/April
• May/June
• July/August
• September/October
• November/December

Other publishers may name each issue after the month in which it is released, even when no issue appears during the following month.

The schedule should be clearly explained on subscription pages, media kits, contributor guidelines, and advertising information.

How Bimonthly Schedules Are Used in Self-Publishing

Independent authors may use bimonthly schedules for activities beyond publishing magazines.

Examples include:

Author newsletters

An author may send readers an update twice a month or once every two months. The exact frequency should be stated on the newsletter sign-up form so subscribers know what to expect.

Serialized content

Authors publishing fiction in installments may release new chapters on a recurring schedule. Exact dates are more useful than an ambiguous frequency label.

Book marketing

A self-published author might review advertising performance, schedule promotional campaigns, or publish new blog content every two months.

Catalog reviews

Publishers with several titles may conduct regular catalog reviews to update book descriptions, keywords, categories, pricing, and promotional plans.

Editorial meetings

A publishing team might meet twice each month to review manuscripts, production progress, upcoming releases, and marketing activity.

Does Bimonthly Describe Royalty Payments?

The term can be used to describe royalty payments or reports, but authors should not assume what it means without checking the agreement or payment schedule.

A bimonthly royalty arrangement could be interpreted as:

• Two reports or payments per month
• One report or payment every two months

Publishing contracts and royalty agreements should state exact reporting periods, payment dates, minimum payout requirements, and any delays between a sale and the retailer’s report.

This is especially important in wide book distribution because different retailers and library platforms may report sales according to different schedules.

Why Precise Scheduling Matters in Publishing

A publishing schedule affects many people and processes, including:

• Manuscript delivery
• Editing deadlines
• Cover design
• Formatting
• Metadata preparation
• Distribution
• Advertising
• Contributor payments
• Royalty reporting
• Newsletter production
• Reader expectations

An unclear schedule can result in missed deadlines, duplicated work, late submissions, incorrect invoices, and disappointed subscribers.

The simplest solution is to replace ambiguous frequency words with exact dates or numbers.

Better Alternatives to Bimonthly

Choose the wording that communicates the intended schedule most clearly.

To mean twice a month, use:

• Twice a month
• Two times per month
• Semimonthly
• On the first and fifteenth of each month
• 24 times per year

To mean every two months, use:

• Every two months
• Once every two months
• Six times per year
• In alternate months
• In January, March, May, July, September, and November

Exact wording is especially important in publishing contracts, contributor guidelines, subscription offers, editorial calendars, and royalty agreements.

How to Use Bimonthly in a Sentence

Here are several examples:

The literary journal publishes bimonthly, with a new issue released every two months.

Our author newsletter is sent twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday.

The editorial team meets every two months to review the upcoming publishing schedule.

Contributors receive royalty reports twice a year rather than bimonthly.

The magazine produces six bimonthly issues annually.

Each example includes additional context so the intended frequency is clear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bimonthly

What is the definition of bimonthly?

Bimonthly means either twice a month or once every two months. Because both definitions are accepted, the intended meaning should be clarified with specific dates or a more precise phrase.

Is bimonthly twice a month or every two months?

It can mean either. Use twice a month for two occurrences each month and every two months for one occurrence during each two-month period.

How many times a year is bimonthly?

Bimonthly means either 24 times per year when something occurs twice a month or six times per year when it occurs every two months.

What is the difference between bimonthly and semimonthly?

Semimonthly means twice a month. Bimonthly can mean twice a month or every two months.

What is the difference between bimonthly and biweekly?

Bimonthly relates to months and can mean twice a month or every two months. Biweekly relates to weeks and can mean twice a week or every two weeks.

Can a magazine be bimonthly?

Yes. A bimonthly magazine may appear twice a month or once every two months, although the once-every-two-months meaning is common for periodicals. Publishers should always clarify the exact schedule.

Is biannually the same as every two years?

No. Biannually means twice a year. Biennially means once every two years.

Should publishers use the word bimonthly?

Publishers can use it, but more precise wording is usually better. Exact dates, issue months, or phrases such as twice a month and every two months prevent misunderstandings.

Key Takeaway

Bimonthly has two accepted meanings: twice a month and once every two months.

In publishing, the term may describe magazine issues, newsletters, meetings, reports, royalty payments, or marketing activities. Because the two meanings produce very different schedules, publishers and authors should use exact dates or clearer phrases whenever timing matters.