Book publishing timelines – what does it take?

A lot of people wonder how long it takes to write a novel that is 80,000 words or more.

There are lots of strange notions when it comes to writing timelines and how long it takes a book to go to market.
Despite the actual times can vary widely, here are some of the things that have to happen for a book to get published.

• Writing the outline (yes, not everyone does this) – usually spend at least a month or two thinking about this and story boarding things until I am somewhat happy.
• Writing the novel itself – first draft – one to three months.
• Self editing passes – at least another month or two.
• Publisher’s editor usually a month or two when you get redlined manuscript back
• Spend another couple weeks fixing it.
• This can have several rounds depending on how many people are involved.
• Now the book is largely “complete” – but not in published form yet.
• Review copies are printed and sent to industry folks. They oftentimes require 3-4 months before reviews are done.
• Publicist will typically want to use excerpts from one or more of the reviews.
• Once received, a final proof is created And everyone who matters gets a copy and makes sure nothing when wrong. This is oftentimes frantic and try to do it in a matter of weeks.
• Everyone signs off
• And the book is now made available to the public.

That doesn’t even include the steps the publisher goes through, marketing people etc. Author may or may not get input on cover art, or other things that also go into this.
Phew! And you really want to be an author? You must have a masochistic streak to do this.
I am an engineer – so it comes with my territory. 😉