The decision between self-publishing and going for a traditional book deal can be a huge decision in the life of an aspiring author. One of the key factors in making that decision is having a very clear idea of how long it takes to go from book idea to published book in hand. While both paths take longer than many would assume, we hear a lot of confusion and misconceptions floating around out there surrounding the timeline of traditional publishing. in the video below, Amanda talks through her own journey of publishing The Summer of 2020: George Floyd and the Resurgence of the Black Lives Matter Movement so that you can get a sense of the timeline, including all of the little steps along the way.
If you are fed up with trying to stumble through this writing project with no idea where you’re going or when you’ll get there, you need a plan. I have got the tool for you. Right now you can download the Writing Plan Calculator. It’s going to give you a timeline for your whole book project, the goals that you need to hit along the way, and the flexibility to adjust when your schedule changes. You can download it right now at pageandpodium.com/plan.
Mileage May Vary
Every book will have a somewhat different path to publication, depending on the type of book, the size and practices of the press, and of course how long it takes you to write and revise it. However, the timeline we’ll outline here as a case study is not at all atypical, especially with small to midsize presses, and the basic milestones are generally the same for all nonfiction publications. It is also good to keep in mind that this is not a timeline for a debut nonfiction book, and frequently placing a debut with a press often takes a bit longer. So, even though the total of this process took Amanda from Summer of 2020 to March of 2024, it should be considered on the streamlined end of the spectrum in terms of total time.
Year 1- Drafting, Initial Revisions, and Proposal
Amanda and Andre began writing their book right on the heels of the central subject matter in the summer of 2020. They gathered interviews with activists ranging from seasoned organizers to newcomers participating in protests and rallies. A year is a significant period of time, and many authors can and do finish drafts faster, but other writers can also take twice to three times that length, depending on the subject matter, and many, many other factors. It’s also important to know that life has an annoying tendency to continue to happen while you are writing, and personal challenges will set you back and force you to take time away from the book, so a comfortable timeline is your friend. Their drafting process involved reviewing interview content, incorporating personal experiences, and organizing the material into an outline before drafting, revising, and seeking feedback. In many cases, nonfiction writers will craft the proposal before drafting the whole manuscript and can often secure a contract based on the proposal alone. In the case of Amanda and Andre’s book, they opted to complete the full draft first because the subject matter was very recent and still developing, so by drafting first they could clarify their vision and strengthen their pitch to publishers. (This definitely goes to show that it’s best to follow the method that best suites the project!) Finally, they brainstormed potential presses.
Submitting to the press
As experienced authors, Amanda and Andre leveraged their connections with publishing houses to bypass the more formal querying process often necessary for first-time authors, who typically need both a query letter and a book proposal. They reached out to an editor they wanted to work with, informally negotiated the project’s direction, and submitted their manuscript for review. Recognizing the value of additional support, they utilized professional academic networks to secure grants for revisions, citation gathering, and creating the book’s index. With a solid proposal prepared by fall 2021, they submitted it to the press. The review process was efficient, and by late 2021 to early 2022, they received approval to move forward with their publication.
Working with editors
Amanda and Andre worked with a nonprofit press that was a great match for their book. Most presses, both big and small, have an editorial board that have agree on what manuscripts to acquire. Though they had secured the interest of the acquisitions editor, their contract required final approval from the board. This can be very nerve wracking, but in the end , it’s all just part of the process. The editorial board meetings are closed to authors, but editors pitch their books to the group, making the case that the project is high-quality, fits the press’s lineup, and is likely to sell well. This is why the proposal needs to cover these elements in addition to the manuscript itself being strong, because it makes your editor’s job easier to get approval from the board at large.
There were additional rounds of feedback, so another eight to nine months of revisions. By fall 2022, about two years after they started writing, they submitted what they felt was a polished manuscript. However, their editor requested a few more tweaks. Finally, on January 6, 2023, they submitted the completed version, which the press officially accepted.
Going into production
Amanda and Andre submitted their final manuscript in January 2023, which also became their deadline as the editorial board met to plan the press’s release schedule. Release dates are typically decided based on seasonal catalogs and marketing discussions, so while Amanda and Andre didn’t have much input, some authors might have more say depending on the project. In February, they shifted focus to the technical aspects of production. This included formatting the manuscript into individual chapter files, providing high-resolution images of charts and graphs (which took a couple of tries), and ensuring proper licensing for any external materials. These nit-picking tasks can be more time consuming than you think, but by this stage, the editors and editorial assistant are there to guide authors through these nitty gritty steps.
July brought a thrilling milestone: the cover design. It frequently comes as a surprise to authors that typically, authors don’t give feedback or specific guidelines to how their cover will look. The press had gathered their input during the production process, including a form about the book’s vibe and vision, which helped align the final design. In August, the copy editor spent three weeks copy editing the book, which included clarifications and citation checks, and Andre and Amanda worked through these in September.
The book then moved into layout design, a stage authors typically don’t participate in. Finally, the the galley proofs arrived. Galley proofs are PDF versions of the book’s layout, and Amanda and Andre meticulously reviewed them for errors, awkward cutoffs, or misplaced elements. The author is often the last set of eyes on the manuscript, so you want to take your time with proofing the galley. Their release date was set for March of 2024.
Shifting to Promotion Mode
With the book’s release date just six months away and pre-orders live on the publisher’s website, Amanda and Andre shifted their focus from production to promotion. Knowing that traditional publishers typically don’t handle long-term marketing, they took the lead on promoting their book. One of their main strategies was a podcast tour, during which they appeared on various shows to discuss the book, share insights, and spark interest in its content. Rather than emphasizing direct sales, they focused on the helpful, thought-provoking ideas they had uncovered, creating a more organic buying cycle where listeners connected with the book’s message and chose to purchase it.
Over those six months leading up to the March release, Amanda and Andre participated in book signings and similar events. However, promotion didn’t stop after the launch. Even a year later, they were actively sharing the book, attending conferences, including one aired on C-SPAN, giving press quotes, and providing commentary. Amanda reflected on how the process gradually intertwined with their lives, describing it as being shepherded through each phase—writing, production, and promotion—without always knowing where it might lead next.
The timeline of traditional publishing should not deter you
The traditional publishing process, while lengthy, doesn’t have to feel daunting or insurmountable. If you’ve ever thought that a traditional path might be the best fit for your book, we encourages you to go for it. The journey can be an enriching experience, and become part of your life’s journey rather than a roadblock. While the timeline can seem intimidating at first, Page and Podium is here to help you navigate the publishing process, offering guidance, support, and resources at every step. Whether it’s shaping your ideas, tackling the production phase, or building a promotional strategy, Page and Podium specializes in empowering authors to overcome challenges and reach their goals.
If you have a book idea and need help getting started—or you’re ready to move forward with publishing—we’d love to be part of your journey. Page and Podium is committed to helping authors not only cross that first finish line but also find their stride for the long-term adventure ahead. Happy writing!
