Time to Market?

[rickdemille]

Does anyone know about how long it takes to get a book into print after manuscript submission through a traditional publisher?

Is there a difference in Small vs Mega publisher?

Thanks.

[aka eraser]

I think you'd be better off starting your watch from the time of acceptance, rather than submission. The submission-to-acceptance time can be many months. My guesstimate is about 12-18 months from acceptance to bookstore, on average.

If the subject matter is very timely, I think any reputable publisher, small, medium or large, can hurry up the process. We've all seen those "instabooks" appear shortly after some extremely newsworthy event but they're very much the exception and not the rule.

[rickdemille]

I think you'd be better off starting your watch from the time of acceptance, rather than submission. The submission-to-acceptance time can be many months. My guesstimate is about 12-18 months from acceptance to bookstore, on average.

If the subject matter is very timely, I think any reputable publisher, small, medium or large, can hurry up the process. We've all seen those "instabooks" appear shortly after some extremely newsworthy event but they're very much the exception and not the rule.
A friend has finished a manuscript which is interesting, but needs some work. I just found out that for healt reasons his goal is to have something resolved before the end of the year.

He is starting to look for an agent, and I thought it would be at least two years for traditional publication but wanted to make sure.

Thanks again.