The Process
(Typical)
Publishing a book is a collaborative enterprise between the author and the publisher. The process usually takes between six months to a year or more
before the book is released for sale to the public. It is dependent upon a multitude of variable factors.
1. Manuscripts are submitted by authors or agents to the publisher for consideration for publication.
2. Some are rejected immediately; some are put into a slush pile to be considered at a later time, and some are selected to be discussed at weekly
acquisition meetings. The decision to follow up on specific manuscripts is made by the acquisitions committee.
3. Department staff reviews the recommendations of the acquisitions committee and the manuscript is evaluated for market potential, amount of
work needed for production and other market considerations.
4. A final decision is made to pursue the manuscript for acquisition and a budget is established for production of the work.
5. Author is offered a contract based upon the acquisitions committee’s funding proposal and recommendations.
6. Contract terms are negotiated with the author.
7. Contract is drafted incorporating the terms.
8. Contract is sent to the author for evaluation, signed by the author, and returned.
9. The project manager analyzes the manuscript, and in collaboration with staff, formulates a basic guideline for production.
10. Information is obtained from the author: photos, biographical information, foreword, dedications and author’s desires for book appearance, back
cover blurb, etc.
11. The final manuscript is obtained from the author and is put in queue. Nothing much happens for about six weeks. Manuscript goes into editing,
corrections and suggested re-writes are proposed. Time frame is usually one to four months with two comprehensive edits with different editors and
multiple revisions with the author. A final proof read is the last step.
12. In collaboration with the author, the cover concept is developed. Cover concept is provided to illustrator/graphic designer and several concept
covers are designed. Suggested cover is put in queue for final cover design. Time frame is usually four to six weeks.
13. Press releases are formulated announcing author signing publishing agreement with publisher, and sent to various media outlets.
14. Editing is finished and manuscript is submitted for copyright infringement review. Requests are made for permissions and rights. Time frame is
usually around eight weeks.
15. ISBN, and other registrations are obtained.
16. Manuscript is submitted for copyright registration.
17. Interior design is made and typeset. Interior is formatted for e-book. E-book conversion is started in the various formats. Time frame is usually
around four weeks.
18. Initial advertising and promotional campaign is formulated. While the book is in production, a promotional plan to supplement the media
campaign is formulated.
19. The Advance Information (AI) and/or sell sheet may be created. It consists of the cover design, the ISBN, the title and author details, the blurb,
and the book’s price, dimensions, binding, anticipated release date and selling points.
20. A cardboard conference display and cardboard book holders may be provided to the author for book signings and other public events.
21. Uncorrected proof copies of the book are created and sent to reviewers. Time frame is usually four months.
22. The publisher starts marketing the book for serial rights, magazine articles etc. Marketing program starts with press releases and efforts to
schedule radio and television interviews, newspaper articles, social networking, Internet sites, and submitting the book information to any relevant
parties that may have an interest in the book topic etc. Author participation, interview talking points etc. are formulated.
23. The book information is submitted to the publisher’s warehousing and distribution company, and to the industry databases from which retailers
obtain their computer book data.
24. The AI sheet and/or sell sheets containing purchasing information are sent to buyers and individual stores to obtain advance orders.
25. Final proofreads are completed by the author and the publisher. EAN bar code with retail price is made and inserted into the final book layout.
Book is given the final OK for printing.
26. E-book production is finalized and prepared for sale in the various formats for Kindle, Nook etc. available for sale through Amazon, Barnes &
Noble, Borders etc. prior to printed book release.
27. After three to five months in e-book, the book is sent to the printer and placed in queue for printing.
28. Distribution contracts are made with advertising blurb in distributor catalog.
29. During the above period the publisher continues to work with the author in reviewing advertising and promotion.
30. Books arrive from the printer to the warehouse, books are shipped to the distributor and the publication date is set. Authors receive books for
their own use as soon as they arrive at the warehouse.
31. The title is submitted to various sites for Internet exposure.
32. Once the publication date arrives, the book is made available for purchase through online retailers and bookstores.
33. The publicity campaign continues with press releases, efforts to schedule radio and television interviews, newspaper articles, and submitting the
book information to any relevant parties that may have an interest in the book topic, etc.
34. The publisher monitors inventory and sales.
35. Reports of sales are generated and royalties are paid to the author.
The above does not necessarily occur in the order listed and some are conducted concurrent with others. Not all of the processes described
are provided for every book depending on the type of book and a variety of factors.
©2010 Brighton Publishing LLC
(Typical)
Publishing a book is a collaborative enterprise between the author and the publisher. The process usually takes between six months to a year or more
before the book is released for sale to the public. It is dependent upon a multitude of variable factors.
1. Manuscripts are submitted by authors or agents to the publisher for consideration for publication.
2. Some are rejected immediately; some are put into a slush pile to be considered at a later time, and some are selected to be discussed at weekly
acquisition meetings. The decision to follow up on specific manuscripts is made by the acquisitions committee.
3. Department staff reviews the recommendations of the acquisitions committee and the manuscript is evaluated for market potential, amount of
work needed for production and other market considerations.
4. A final decision is made to pursue the manuscript for acquisition and a budget is established for production of the work.
5. Author is offered a contract based upon the acquisitions committee’s funding proposal and recommendations.
6. Contract terms are negotiated with the author.
7. Contract is drafted incorporating the terms.
8. Contract is sent to the author for evaluation, signed by the author, and returned.
9. The project manager analyzes the manuscript, and in collaboration with staff, formulates a basic guideline for production.
10. Information is obtained from the author: photos, biographical information, foreword, dedications and author’s desires for book appearance, back
cover blurb, etc.
11. The final manuscript is obtained from the author and is put in queue. Nothing much happens for about six weeks. Manuscript goes into editing,
corrections and suggested re-writes are proposed. Time frame is usually one to four months with two comprehensive edits with different editors and
multiple revisions with the author. A final proof read is the last step.
12. In collaboration with the author, the cover concept is developed. Cover concept is provided to illustrator/graphic designer and several concept
covers are designed. Suggested cover is put in queue for final cover design. Time frame is usually four to six weeks.
13. Press releases are formulated announcing author signing publishing agreement with publisher, and sent to various media outlets.
14. Editing is finished and manuscript is submitted for copyright infringement review. Requests are made for permissions and rights. Time frame is
usually around eight weeks.
15. ISBN, and other registrations are obtained.
16. Manuscript is submitted for copyright registration.
17. Interior design is made and typeset. Interior is formatted for e-book. E-book conversion is started in the various formats. Time frame is usually
around four weeks.
18. Initial advertising and promotional campaign is formulated. While the book is in production, a promotional plan to supplement the media
campaign is formulated.
19. The Advance Information (AI) and/or sell sheet may be created. It consists of the cover design, the ISBN, the title and author details, the blurb,
and the book’s price, dimensions, binding, anticipated release date and selling points.
20. A cardboard conference display and cardboard book holders may be provided to the author for book signings and other public events.
21. Uncorrected proof copies of the book are created and sent to reviewers. Time frame is usually four months.
22. The publisher starts marketing the book for serial rights, magazine articles etc. Marketing program starts with press releases and efforts to
schedule radio and television interviews, newspaper articles, social networking, Internet sites, and submitting the book information to any relevant
parties that may have an interest in the book topic etc. Author participation, interview talking points etc. are formulated.
23. The book information is submitted to the publisher’s warehousing and distribution company, and to the industry databases from which retailers
obtain their computer book data.
24. The AI sheet and/or sell sheets containing purchasing information are sent to buyers and individual stores to obtain advance orders.
25. Final proofreads are completed by the author and the publisher. EAN bar code with retail price is made and inserted into the final book layout.
Book is given the final OK for printing.
26. E-book production is finalized and prepared for sale in the various formats for Kindle, Nook etc. available for sale through Amazon, Barnes &
Noble, Borders etc. prior to printed book release.
27. After three to five months in e-book, the book is sent to the printer and placed in queue for printing.
28. Distribution contracts are made with advertising blurb in distributor catalog.
29. During the above period the publisher continues to work with the author in reviewing advertising and promotion.
30. Books arrive from the printer to the warehouse, books are shipped to the distributor and the publication date is set. Authors receive books for
their own use as soon as they arrive at the warehouse.
31. The title is submitted to various sites for Internet exposure.
32. Once the publication date arrives, the book is made available for purchase through online retailers and bookstores.
33. The publicity campaign continues with press releases, efforts to schedule radio and television interviews, newspaper articles, and submitting the
book information to any relevant parties that may have an interest in the book topic, etc.
34. The publisher monitors inventory and sales.
35. Reports of sales are generated and royalties are paid to the author.
The above does not necessarily occur in the order listed and some are conducted concurrent with others. Not all of the processes described
are provided for every book depending on the type of book and a variety of factors.
©2010 Brighton Publishing LLC
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