From Last Word to First Pub
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Question of the day: How long does it take for a book to get published once you're done writing it?
The logistics of this really depend on your publisher, but I think it's safe to say that it's generally about a year.
The book goes through several stages with the marketing and PR teams, and they like to have a hearty lead time (again, usually, though this isn't the case with every author/book) to ensure that it is given its best chance in the marketplace. After you've filed it, you'll go through copy edits, and first and second pass pages, which is when the manuscript is put into book form but still not bound. (I'm not sure how else to describe it...basically, it has the layout of a book - font, page number, etc - but isn't yet printed.) You'll go through, along with several pros, to remove any last mistakes and any last sentences that will drive you crazy for the rest of your days.
Next come galleys/ARCs, which usually come anywhere from 3-6 months before publication. These are essentially paperback versions of the book that haven't been given the final proofread, so you'll find typos and a few mistakes throughout. Those go to long lead reviewers and anyone who tends to get an early peek. And then finally, the finished book. Amazingly, I filed THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME almost a year and a half ago, if you can believe it. I can't, actually. But the long lead time was due to a variety of logistics, including switching publishers and them wanting to reposition the timing of my pub date, and it's pretty unusual to be held that long.
All you published authors out there - how long from finish to pub for you?
Reader Comments (5)
I know someone right now getting ready for her debut to come out -- it will be 20 months from contract offered until pub date.
With my books it's been a year between the time I turn it in and the time it hits the shelves. I hear 12 to 18 months as the standard. All the more reason for you to start writing the next book. You have some time before you need to turn to promotion.
It's my very first book, and I signed the contract exactly one year ago today, and it hits the shelves May 1. I'm bad at math, but fourteen months? Ish? Nowhere near fast enough for my mom.
Congrats, Gretta! (And that's 15 months, I think. I'm not so great at math either.)
Yep, about a year! Signed in May 2011, finished edits in August, will be pubbed in July 2012.