How long does the publishing process take?

JackinElgin · Dec 6, 2009

So I just got an offer from a publisher for my first novel (The Severance)

I'm wondering how long before I actually see a book (those things with pages and squiggles on them... the thing before kindles)

I plan to aggressively promote the book as much as I can so if anyone has any good ideas about that it would be helpful.

Thanks.

Jack

CheshireCat · Dec 6, 2009

Depends on the publisher. And your editor. You'll have to wait to find out when the book is actually scheduled for publication. Ask your editor -- after revisions are done.

Generally speaking, from delivery and acceptance of a complete manuscript, after revisions, a book is scheduled for publication somewhere between 9 and 18 months later. You get galleys some months ahead of publication, ARCs (if they're produced) shortly after that, and your author's copies -- at best -- only a few weeks ahead of publication.

It'll likely be months before you even have a cover design to use in promotion.

All of which assumes you're selling to a "traditional" publishing house and not vanity or self-pubbing.

scarletpeaches · Dec 6, 2009

Depends on who you're publishing with.

I know someone with an agent who went through a traditional publishing house - she had the book in her hand ten months after signing the publishing deal.

tt42, when published with Carnal Passions, wrote the book in March, got the offer in May, e-published in September and had the print copy about a month or two after that.

Slushie · Dec 6, 2009

What publisher? Just curious, as it is one of the many variables. Doing researched tailored to your variables will yield the best results.

I'm not sure why you need to 'aggressively promote' your book. Publishers have marketing departments for that reason. Unless adding it to your sig is what you define as 'aggresive'?

James D. Macdonald · Dec 6, 2009

How long from turn-in to print?

Depends. With one of the majors, figure a year, maybe more if they're balancing their list, maybe less if it's all kinds of timely and topical.

JackinElgin said:
I plan to aggressively promote the book as much as I can so if anyone has any good ideas about that it would be helpful.

The single best, most effective thing you can do is write and publish another book.

Maxinquaye · Dec 6, 2009

JackinElgin said:
So I just got an offer from a publisher for my first novel (The Severance)

I'm wondering how long before I actually see a book (those things with pages and squiggles on them... the thing before kindles)

I plan to aggressively promote the book as much as I can so if anyone has any good ideas about that it would be helpful.

Thanks.

Jack

What James MacDonald said. And, from me, be online - but whilst online don't be an ogre

scope · Dec 6, 2009

JackinElgin said:
So I just got an offer from a publisher for my first novel

Jack,

Although you are only at the very beginning of the process, be thankful to have successfully gotten through the processes of acquiring an agent (I assume), and submission and acceptance by a publisher. I'm assuming it's a traditional publisher, not a self publisher.

You have a long ways to go before your books in print and on sale. As everyone has said, it depends on the publisher. It also depends on the economy, the marketplace, your subject and its time sensitivity, and a bunch of other thing. My Guess: from 1 to 21/2 years.

Keep working on the next book.

JackinElgin · Dec 6, 2009

James D. Macdonald said:
How long from turn-in to print?

Depends. With one of the majors, figure a year, maybe more if they're balancing their list, maybe less if it's all kinds of timely and topical.

The single best, most effective thing you can do is write and publish another book.

Do you think the second book should be in the same genre as the first? I've had several ideas rattling around that are straight out of left field.

As for the publisher, I don't want to be criptic but I don't want to go throwing names around until I get the contracts signed. Paranoia that I might wake up and this all be some dream. Its a smaller (but legitimate) publisher. Its not a grand slam simon and shuster, random house kind of thing but it certainly is enough to make me do a little dance when I read the living room. I've read the predators and editors sections I've checked my leads and I'm fairly confident that I'm making a good choice.

Fillanzea · Dec 6, 2009

Me, I got the offer in August 2008 and will be coming out June 2010, so 22 months, and I know a lot of people who waited approximately that long. But there are a lot of variables, as other posters have said.

James D. Macdonald · Dec 6, 2009

It matters less that the next book be in the same genre (though that would be the best choice if you have to make a choice) than that it be an outstanding work, and that it be sooner rather than later.

Caitlin Black · Dec 6, 2009

For that matter, would the publisher accept the second book before the first one is in stores? I have no idea, but seeing how long it takes a book to go to print, I'd assume they would accept the next one (if it was great) because, well, people have books coming out sometimes less than a year apart.

Anyone got an answer?

Rhoda Nightingale · Dec 6, 2009

All I have to add is congratulations and good luck! It'll be out there one day--that's the important thing, right?

ChaosTitan · Dec 7, 2009

Cliff Face said:
For that matter, would the publisher accept the second book before the first one is in stores? I have no idea, but seeing how long it takes a book to go to print, I'd assume they would accept the next one (if it was great) because, well, people have books coming out sometimes less than a year apart.

Anyone got an answer?

It depends on the contract. Some publishers will contract for multiple books at once, but may or may not specifically say what that book should be genre-wise. If you 're selling a series, it's common to contract for two or three books at once.

If it's a single-book contract, it may not specify. However, there will be language in it telling you whether or not your current editor gets first look at your next book.

For debut authors, it's important to build an audience, which means picking a genre and sticking to it for a few books, at least. Skipping from mystery to western to literary will make it hard for genre fans to find you.

IceCreamEmpress · Dec 7, 2009

A small press book generally takes anywhere from four months to eighteen months, depending on lots of factors.

Why not ask your editor there? They'll know.

How long does the publishing process take?

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