Barack Obama is keen to outdo the success of his wife's 2018 book with his forthcoming release from Penguin Random House.

Publishers hoped to get the former US President's memoir out this year but it's reported the so far unnamed book will be held back until 2020 when the presidential election buzz is at its height.

The Atlantic reported that Obama is feeling especially competitive after Michelle's Becoming memoir was the biggest of last year and could become the best-selling autobiography ever after shifting 10 million copies.

Anonymous sources who claim to have spoken to Obama about his memoir in the works told the publication 'he'll occasionally point out in conversation that he's writing this book himself, while Michelle used a ghostwriter'.

Barack Obama was due to release his autobiography this year his publisher said. However he could be holding back to benefit from the 2020 election and November holiday shopping period in order to beat Michelle Obama's sales

The two-term White House residents together got a $65million advance in deal for their books but 'the writing has been going more slowly than he'd expected', The Atlantic reports.

Of course the former POTUS had success with his literature even before he was elected the American leader in 2008. In 1995 he put out Dreams From My Father and in 2006 The Audacity of Hope.

Both went on to become bestsellers and in Becoming Michelle touches on Obama needed complete solitude to complete his books, at one point renting a home in Bali to get the job done while his family stayed in the US.

Michelle Obama's Becoming was released around Thanksgiving in 2018 and is on track to become the best-selling memoir in history

In March 2017 he reportedly had legal pads to help his writing shipped to where he was staying on Marlon Brando’s old French Polynesia island.

But The Atlantic reports Obama may be taking his time penning the book to make the most of the 2020 presidential election.

With good planning his promotion of the memoir could take into consideration the primaries and which candidate looks likely to help the Democrat nominee succeed next November.

While Obama has stayed fairly quiet regarding the candidate announcements – even holding back on endorsing his friend and former vice president Joe Biden so far – he may publicly show support later in the process.

However reminders of unfavorable elements of their two terms together too soon could help President Trump win a second term or see another candidate gain favor.

The right timing of public appearances in relation to his book – which is said to begin with his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech - could give anyone Obama endorses an extra push towards glory.

With the election also falling before the Thanksgiving holiday period, Obama could also emulate the former First Lady's staggering sales thanks to the shopping season and use the combined power of the political buzz to outdo her.

The Atlantic reports Obama could even use a Democratic loss to boost sales of his book. By saving the release for 2021 the leader known for bringing the country together with his messages of hope in comparison to Trump's divisive approach or inciting fear, Obama could take advantage of a depressing time when Democrats need uplifting.

In March 2017 he reportedly had legal pads to help his writing shipped to where he was staying on Marlon Brando’s old French Polynesia island

The right timing of promotional appearances for his book – which is said to begin with his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech - could give anyone Obama endorses a push

A spokesperson for Obama said no decisions had been made regarding a publication date, so it's unclear when Obama will back in the spotlight.

However the representative, Katie Hill said Obama 'welcomes the debate' playing out next year in the primaries and wants candidates to be honest about their intentions.

'The policy debate has shifted since 2007 and 2008, and that's good — it's evidence of the progress made since then by activists and elected officials at all levels,' Hill wrote in a statement to The Atlantic.

'Big, bold ideas are a sign of the Democratic Party's strength, and President Obama urges everyone running to be transparent with voters about how these ideas will work in the nitty-gritty, how they're paid for, and how they'll affect the lives of all Americans.'