~\ Time to do a Book /~

?? ?? ?? How long does it take to do a book?? Two months to two years. At least, that's the short and long of it, in my own multi-client experience!

?? The first example: manuscript for a corporate-government guy who needed a special, particular kind of book done in time for a conference.

?? The second example: a memoir – more a whole-life story – that went through several stages/versions (and hiatuses) with my client, before he felt it was ready. With most books I work on in a writing sense, it's from six months to a year. Editing - anywhere from a week or few, to a few months or more.

Sometimes a book manuscript takes on a life of its own, or changes significantly, or needs a rest period. There's no one-size (or time)-fits-all.

?? In fact, I've found there are almost as many ways and time-frames to do a book as there are books out there!

I encourage you not to compare yourself to any other author, published or unpublished – at least, as far as the 'how and when' go.

?? In fact, it can be good to hold what you're doing up against what's out there; it's good to know the competition, and a traditional publisher may expect some of this in the book-proposal you send them.

But how long it actually takes you to do your book, and the method (or lack thereof) you take, is a personal thing.

Here's an article I did on some of the wild and wonderful ways that good books over the years have come into being: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/doing-book-uniquely-winnie-czulinski--57pwe/

?? One thing you might consider is working with a professional writer/editor.

Whichever approach you bring to your book way we do yours, you can be assured that the approach I bring to it is to take time to absorb it, get to understand it – and help it come into being with devoted care, a passion to equal yours – and the objective eye of an outsider.

A true helpmate also can work with you at the speed you like, or can accelerate things, or slow down with you.

When one client wanted to "take the summer off" with the his memoir we were working on, I realized it was the right decision for him. In early autumn he returned to his manuscript with new zeal, enthusiasm – and angle.

The time of a month or two had helped him to see clearly what was important, what he was inspired to focus on (quite different from the beginning) – and, just as important, what he didn't want to do. Yet those early drafts were an important part of the process.

~~~

With you – just as I did with this client – I can help guide you through coordination, changes, publishing options, and media/marketing/publicity.

After all, it's not just writing a book that takes time – it's the planning, the production, and the promotion.

Like to discuss your book?? Please comment/DM/connect with me!

#writeabook #publishabook

Original Pic Credit: https://pixabay.com/fr/users/jeresta-2920318/