FOR WRITERS: From manuscript to book-in-hand

Another writer asked me what she could expect after her book was accepted for publication, and I thought I would share that here. This is a timeline I put together for my very first book, so it should be helpful in that regard. Please be aware that it’s a general timeline only, and that mileage may vary greatly from one publisher to another. But still, I thought it might helpful to others to have some idea about what to expect.

ELEVEN MONTHS PRIOR
Request Author Blurbs—send rough manuscript
Email Editor ideas for marketing/cover/book blurbs

TEN MONTHS PRIOR
Complete Author Questionnaire rec’d with contract and email to editor
Publisher does preliminary work on cover

NINE MONTHS PRIOR
Receive initial edits, generally the major revisions.

EIGHT MONTHS PRIOR
Email to editor: Author Bio & Photo,
Dedication, name under which book is to be copyrighted, any acknowledgments or author’s note to be included either before story or after.
Receive cover art

SEVEN MONTHS PRIOR
Sales Reps meet with Buyers and initial orders are made.
Receive line edits, now is the time to make any additional major revisions.

SIX MONTHS PRIOR
ARC’s are sent out from publisher for reviews

FIVE MONTHS PRIOR
Receive galleys, edit for minor revisions, small changes only (spelling, grammar etc.).

FOUR MONTHS PRIOR
Receive front matter, review for any corrections

THREE MONTHS PRIOR

TWO MONTHS PRIOR
Receive cover flats

ONE MONTH PRIOR
Receive author copies from publisher.

RELEASE DATE