How long does it take to traditionally publish a book? Almost three years to the day, in my case. I first posted a version of this back in May but I’ve updated it with more info. If you have any questions on this whole process, just ask.
A note to start: I signed with my agent in March 2011 with another book–one that, unfortunately, did not sell.
2011
September 12th: started writing The Clockwork Dagger
October 27th: completed rough draft
2012
January – July: back and forth dialogue as I worked on major revisions with my agent
Late in year: book goes on submission to publishers
2013
January: first publisher offer on The Clockwork Dagger, soon followed by a second offer
February 22nd: verbal contract with Harper Voyager
not allowed to discuss the book deal in public at all; told very few people
July 3rd: received two-book contract to sign.
July 16th: deal announced in Publisher’s Marketplace. I then shouted it from rooftops.
September 6th: revision letter arrived. Deadline of October 31st.
the big edits; in my case, deleted 10k of 100,000 word book
October 15th: edits mailed in.
November 11th: editor accepted my edits.
December 10th: copyedits arrived, due 23rd.
these are nitpicky edits to clarify things, correct typos and inconsistencies
December 17th: turned in copyedits
Through December and January: back and forth regarding book cover details
2014
January 1-31st: wrote 83k book 2 rough draft
January 29th: page proofs arrived for book 1, due Feb 11th
page proofs are the book formatted for the actual book, but printed on standard computer paper. Only small changes allowed; mostly for typos and formatting, making sure italics are right, etc.
February 4th: mailed page proofs
February: edited book 2 draft, add another 10k
February 20th: found my back cover copy on Goodreads
February 21st: sent in dedication and acknowledgment for book 1
March 3rd: cover posted online
March-April: book 2 critiques, followed by more rounds of revision
April 14th: submitted book 2 to my editor (deadline was June 1st)
July 21st: revision letter for book 2 arrived; deadline of September 1st
August 15th: submitted revised book 2 to editor
also August 15th: two final copies of The Clockwork Dagger delivered to my house
***
September 16th: The Clockwork Dagger to be released
September 2015: book two, The Clockwork Crown to be released
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It’s interesting to see that ‘catching an agent’ was either already done before this timeline or not included. I had to find an agent in the middle of mine, which lengthened the time quite a bit (plus writing book 2 first didn’t help, either.)
Yes, I signed with my agent in March 2011. She was unable to sell that first book, passed on the second one I was working on, and worked with me through the whole process on Clockwork Dagger.
Cool. I wondered if that might be the case…
Very cool, Beth! Thanks for sharing. It’s fun to see the behind the scenes, and, even though it was only three years, I bet the eaiting sometimes felt longer. 🙂 Congrats – it’s almost here!
*waiting. Good grief!
Thanks, Nicole! The worst period of waiting was when I had to keep the book deal a secret for five months. That just about killed me. I don’t like holding back happy news!
(Don’t you wish comments were easier to edit on these things?! It drives me bonkers, especially when I typo on Twitter.)
Thank you for sharing that info, Beth. Very informative and enlightening. 🙂
You’re very welcome!