It's easy to confuse
printing and
publishing.- A single copy of a book can be digitally PRINTED in less than an hour.
- A supply of books can be digitally PRINTED in 1–2 weeks (including shipping).
- A supply of books can be offset PRINTED in 4–6 weeks (including shipping).
- A supply of books can be PRINTED overseas in 6–9 weeks (including shipping).
- A new title destined for the national market can be PUBLISHED in 39–65 weeks.
A lot of work and coordination is required to publish a book to the national market. It takes time to do it right. A generalized schedule meeting the needs of either fiction or non-fiction books is shown below. The actual duration of a step previous to the last six months is based on the type and complexity of the book, the resources available to the publisher, and the needs of the market. The duration of the last six months is generally fixed as the events are outside the publisher's control, but can be shortened with a very large marketing budget.
In the chart below, white spaces indicate periods where a particular team is not actively working on the project, whereas blank colored spaces indicate a continuing effort started in a previous week.
Note that the most variable week is week #0. The time between contract signing and initial editing depends on resource availability (e.g., editors) and the timeliness of the book. For example, if a book must be released to coincide with a specific event (say, Dec. 21, 2012, the pending end of the Mayan calendar) then week 0 is lengthened to make the Street Date at least six months before this event.
On a side note, if you are trying to publish a book that coincides with a specific event, you need to be talking to publishers at least two years before the event.
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| Week 0 |
0.6 — Identify contributor names and functions (author, illustrator, editor, compiler, etc.)
0.7 — Assign lead editor and content, copy, technical, legal, and line editors.
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0.2 — Identify working title and ISBN number.
0.3 — Complete author datasheet(s).
0.4 — Assign imprint.
0.5 — Identify binding.
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0.1 — Sign contract.
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0.8 — Create project directories on server and database entries.
0.9 — Copy manuscript data to server and assign access permissions.
0.10 — Notify editorial of completion. |
| Week 1 |
1.1 — Begin content editing. [Duration: 10 weeks]
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| Week 4 |
4.1 — Assign BISAC subject codes (primary, secondary, and tertiary).
4.2 — Write synopsis.
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4.3 — Develop early reader questions.
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| Week 5 |
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5.1 — Select and engage early readers.
5.2 — Create initial entry in Bowker database.
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| Week 10 |
10.1 — Content editing complete (see 1.1).
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| Week 11 |
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11.1 — Analyze reader feedback.
11.2 — Begin constructing marketing kit.
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| Week 12 |
12.1 — Begin copy editing. [Duration: 4 weeks]
12.2 — Identify necessary permissions.
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12.3 — Identify endorsers.
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| Week 13 |
13.1 — Check citations.
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13.3 — Contact endorsers.
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| Week 15 |
15.1 — Copy editing complete.
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15.2 — Title finalized.
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15.3 — Request permissions.
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| Week 16 |
16.3 — Begin technical edit. [Duration: 2 weeks]
16.5 — Edit author biography.
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16.1 — Engage cover artist. [Duration: 6 weeks]
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16.2 — Request PCN/CIP from Library of Congress.
16.4 — Begin legal edit. [Duration: 2 weeks]
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| Week 17 |
17.1 — Technical edit complete.
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17.2 — Legal edit complete.
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| Week 18 |
18.1 — Merge technical and legal edits.
18.2 — Begin line edit. [Duration: 4 weeks]
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18.3 — Update Bowker.
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| Week 21 |
21.1 — Line edit complete.
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21.2 — Cover artist complete.
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| Week 22 |
22.1 — Typeset galley for endorsers.
22.2 — Typeset cover for galley.
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| Week 23 |
23.1 — Send galley to printer.
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| Week 24 |
24.2 — Begin proofreading. [Duration: 4 weeks]
24.3 — Begin indexing. [Duration: 4 weeks]
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24.1 — Send galley copies to endorsers. [Duration: 6 weeks]
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| Week 25 |
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25.1 — Select pre-publication non-industry reviewers.
25.2 — Write new book announcement press release.
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| Week 26 |
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26.1 — Create Identify three competing books.
26.2 — Create sell sheet.
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26.3 — Create product website.
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| Week 27 |
27.1 — Proofreading complete.
27.2 — Indexing complete.
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27.3 — Create end-of-book advertisements.
27.4 — Identify short- and mid-lead reviewers.
27.5 — Identify post-publication promotion opportunities.
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| Week 28 |
28.1 — Begin final typesetting.
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28.2 — Verify copyright page including photo and cover credits, etc.
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| Week 29 |
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29.1 — Assemble endorsements and reviews for cover, book interior, and marketing kit.
29.2 — Finalize cover.
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| Week 30 |
30.1 — Create ARC cover.
30.2 — Send ARCs to printer.
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30.3 — Send new book announcement press release.
30.4 — Inform distributors of new product.
30.5 — Finalize marketing kit.
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| The schedule following this point is primarily dictated by pre-publication reviewers and the national bookstore chains. This schedule shows the worst case where pre-publication reviews are obtained before sending ARCS to your distributors. Note that major chains, like Barnes & Noble, often require six months between the time your distributor knows about the book and the street date. The schedule can be compressed 2–4 months by submitting ARCs to the pre-publication reviewers and your distributors at the same time and by shorting the chain store's lead time, but this can jeopardize your distributors' ability to sell the books into the national chain stores. |
| Week 31 |
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31.1 — Contact pre-publication non-industry reviewers.
31.2 — Send ARCs to all pre-publication reviewers. [Duration: 8 weeks]
31.3 — Verify data with major online retailers.
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| Week 39 |
39.1 — Final typeset review. Add pre-pub reviews if available.
39.2 — Complete production cover.
39.3 — Send production book to offset printer. [Duration: 5 weeks]
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39.4 — Gather available pre-publication reviews.
39.5 — Send new book announcement to retailers.
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39.5 — Update product website.
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| Week 43 |
43.1 — Close project.
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43.2 — Receive production inventory.
43.3 — Ship initial quantities to distributors.
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43.4 — Archive editorial directories.
43.5 — Create e-books.
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| PUBLICATION DATE. Week 43 contains the publication date for this book. The publication date is the date books are available for shipment to distributors and retailers. |
| Week 44 |
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44.1 — Design marketing collateral.
44.2 — Schedule author events.
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44.3 — Register copyright.
44.4 — Send copies to the Library of Congress.
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| Week 46 |
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46.1 — Send publication announcement press-release to general media.
46.2 — Engage Booksense Advantage.
46.3 — Send copies to short-lead reviewers.
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| Week 50 |
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50.1 — Gather short-lead reviews.
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50.2 — Update product website.
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| Week 56 |
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56.1 — Begin selling book to public.
56.2 — Upload e-books to Internet retailers.
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| STREET DATE. Week 56 is the street date (the date the book is available to the public). |
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