How long does it take to publish a book? A realistic timeline

Almost everyone underestimates this. You finish the manuscript, feel you are nearly there, and discover that the finishing line is a long way off.

Where the time goes

These are rough ranges for a first book, assuming you are organised and nothing goes wrong. Things often do go wrong.

• Editing. A few weeks to a few months, depending on how much work the text needs and how busy your editor is.
• Your revisions after editing. Allow as long as you took to receive the feedback. Rewriting takes thought.
• Typesetting and layout. Two to four weeks, including your review of the first pages.
• Cover design. Two to four weeks, longer if you change your mind.
• Proofreading. One to three weeks.
• ISBN and other details. Some days, but start early.
• Printing. One to three weeks for the run, plus a proof stage before it.
• Delivery. A few days to a week, depending on where the books are going.

Added up, that is often four to eight months from a clean manuscript to books on your table. If the manuscript still needs real work, add more.

The waiting that is not on the list

Many delays are small. A designer is on holiday. A proofreader finds more mistakes than expected. A courier is late. A new idea for the cover turns up in week six.

A good habit is to take your honest estimate and add a third. If you have a launch date in mind, say a festival or a book fair, work backwards from it and leave a margin.

What speeds things up

• A manuscript that is truly finished before it goes to the editor.
• One person who can make decisions quickly.
• Giving feedback in one consolidated message, not in pieces.
• Booking designers, editors and proofreaders in advance.

What slows things down

• Changing the text after typesetting.
• Not having a clear brief for the cover.
• Waiting until the last minute to apply for the ISBN.
• Skipping the proof, then finding a mistake after printing.

Do not rush the last steps

The last stages feel boring, because the exciting creative work is behind you. But the proof, the final read and the checking of files are where errors get caught. A week saved here can cost you a reprint.

Plan for the long version. If it goes faster, it is a nice surprise.