Why Does Publishing a Book Take So Long?
If your book has been accepted for publication, you may be wondering, "What's taking so long?" The truth is that publishing a book is a complex and time-consuming process.
In the interest of helping you exercise patience with your publisher, take a look at this list of typical steps in the publishing process.
1.
Competitive titles are researched to determine a place in the market and an appropriate sale price.
2.
The book is professionally edited.
This timeline for this step varies greatly per book based on the page count and shape of the manuscript.
3.
The book is professionally type-set and a cover is designed.
This creative work also takes time and varies per book.
4.
The book is registered with the Library of Congress and Bowker Books-In-Print.
A unique ISBN (International Standard Book Number), LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number), and EAN (Exchange Access Network) bar code are assigned to the title.
Each of these serves as an identifier for the book, specific to the publisher, format, and edition.
5.
When the book's design files are complete, they are sent to a printer.
Book printing can take anywhere from one month to several months based on the printer's location and available press time.
6.
The title is registered with the distributor to make titles available to wholesalers, bookstores and other retail outlets, as well as libraries and schools.
Distributors require months of lead time before a publication date to present the title to book buyers.
7.
The publishing department continues to work with the author on reviewing and finalizing promotional plans, as well as designing supplemental marketing materials (such as book displays, bookmarks, postcards, posters, flyers, or other sales aids).
8.
If a publicity campaign is scheduled it will typically begin a few months before the publication date in order to prepare a campaign strategy, send books out for review, and write press materials.
Actual media contact should not begin until the publication date so that the book is available when people start to hear buzz about it.
9.
Once the publication date arrives, the book is available for purchase through bookstores and online retailers.
10.
Upon the publication date, the book is registered with the U.
S.
Copyright Office.
As you have no doubt gathered from this (non-exhaustive) list, the process of publishing a book is one in which many parts work both together and separately to accomplish a common goal.
While it's natural to get antsy while waiting for your finished product, remember that your goal and the publisher's are one and the same: to successfully get your book into the hands of eager readers.
Just as you didn't rush yourself in the writing process, these last steps are equally important and should be taken with care.
In the interest of helping you exercise patience with your publisher, take a look at this list of typical steps in the publishing process.
1.
Competitive titles are researched to determine a place in the market and an appropriate sale price.
2.
The book is professionally edited.
This timeline for this step varies greatly per book based on the page count and shape of the manuscript.
3.
The book is professionally type-set and a cover is designed.
This creative work also takes time and varies per book.
4.
The book is registered with the Library of Congress and Bowker Books-In-Print.
A unique ISBN (International Standard Book Number), LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number), and EAN (Exchange Access Network) bar code are assigned to the title.
Each of these serves as an identifier for the book, specific to the publisher, format, and edition.
5.
When the book's design files are complete, they are sent to a printer.
Book printing can take anywhere from one month to several months based on the printer's location and available press time.
6.
The title is registered with the distributor to make titles available to wholesalers, bookstores and other retail outlets, as well as libraries and schools.
Distributors require months of lead time before a publication date to present the title to book buyers.
7.
The publishing department continues to work with the author on reviewing and finalizing promotional plans, as well as designing supplemental marketing materials (such as book displays, bookmarks, postcards, posters, flyers, or other sales aids).
8.
If a publicity campaign is scheduled it will typically begin a few months before the publication date in order to prepare a campaign strategy, send books out for review, and write press materials.
Actual media contact should not begin until the publication date so that the book is available when people start to hear buzz about it.
9.
Once the publication date arrives, the book is available for purchase through bookstores and online retailers.
10.
Upon the publication date, the book is registered with the U.
S.
Copyright Office.
As you have no doubt gathered from this (non-exhaustive) list, the process of publishing a book is one in which many parts work both together and separately to accomplish a common goal.
While it's natural to get antsy while waiting for your finished product, remember that your goal and the publisher's are one and the same: to successfully get your book into the hands of eager readers.
Just as you didn't rush yourself in the writing process, these last steps are equally important and should be taken with care.