Writing a manuscript takes longer than you think
It's typically at this time of year that I get a lot of authors asking for extensions and promising that the manuscript will just be a few more weeks.
Though you might dread having to break the news to your publisher that you've been delayed, it does happen and if you're in regular contact then it shouldn't be a surprise to them. However, I'm not condoning all deadline breaking so (hopefully) the following advice might be helpful.
The publishing year comes in waves and troughs so I've put together a little diagram to show the pattern of productivity generally:
- At the start of the year, intentions are good. Authors have rested over the holidays and they're back to work with new proposals and book ideas. This naturally slows down again over the next few months and I find April and May to be quite slow for productivity.
- Then we have a bounce - authors realise the summer holidays are coming and endeavour to get as much work done before then. This then dips again (overall) as authors are away and inevitably your editor is probably also away.
- Then there's another bounce before the end of the year - we realise we've got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it, so productivity ramps up again.
Of course, this is a general view of the overall picture and some authors are very dedicated and will be writing over Christmas and the summer holidays. A special salute to those!
So what can you do to keep on track and in time? I've no hard and fast rule for estimating how long it takes to write a manuscript, but it generally takes longer than you think. Here are some tips!
- Estimate how much free time you (realistically) have available and try to plan a schedule. How much time do you need to research and write each chapter? Which ones are more difficult, and which will be easier?
- Agree batch delivery dates with your editor - two chapters a month or even one a week. Smaller goals to break up the giant behemoth.
- Understand that it will take longer at first - if you're a new writer then it may take longer to find your voice. Also, your publisher might spend more time with you getting the beginning chapter right so you can then apply that style to the rest of the book. It gets easier the more chapters you've written.
- Allow for review time with your editor - they will need longer to read the whole manuscript but should be able to turn around 1-2 chapters within a week or so.
My one must-do rule for authors is to keep in touch with your editor - don't be afraid to ask for feedback, no matter how big or small. It's your editor's job to look after you and your manuscript, so don't be shy.
?? I coach capable but frustrated and stuck professionals to create fulfilling and purposeful careers they love so they can fly. ?Award-winning Career & Life Coach | Author | Writer | TEDx | FRSA, FHEA, FCDI, RCDP | NED
7 个月Really helpful. Thanks as ever.
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7 年A few things I can add Eloise, as I have written ten books for different publishers and am now writing my 11th. I find that my best books (which doesn't necessarily mean 'best-selling') are those which I write the quickest. My two best books both took six weeks from beginning to end - complete 'immersion' works best for me. The worst, I found painful and took ages, around four months. Over the summer is nearly always the best for me too. On the editing side things have changed hugely over the last 12 years, since I wrote my first. For my first three books, the editing process was incredibly thorough and that isn't the case any more (with one exception). I just don't think publishers have the money to spend on top-class editors as margins have been squeezed and standards in editing have declined. For one of my books I was actually told by the Commissioning Editor 'we expect our authors to edit their books themselves'. I think different editors have different views on how they like to receive the manuscript. Some do like it delivered complete rather than piece by piece. I would add to your last point 'keep in touch with your editor' - learn quickly how your editor likes to work.
Senior Portfolio Manager (HE publishing)
7 年Absolutely spot-on Eloise!
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7 年Great article Eloise, absolutely agree this works wonderfully, and I feel it allowed me to really enjoy the experience of writing :) sending my work in progress was so valuable for feedback and finding the tone, and helped me personally through a couple of 'writers block' moments too! :)