Publishing 101: Timelines
After self-publishing 2 books, I realized how important keeping a good timeline is for my sanity. It doesn't mean that those timelines won't change - one of the benefits of self-publishing is being able to both set and adapt your own timeline - but it is very useful for setting deadlines for yourself and for your providers. It helps keep yourself and your team on track. When traditionally publishing there is a ton of thought put into timelines, so getting used to using one strictly as an indie author is super important if you want to pursue the hybrid route someday.
When building a timeline for a self-published book, I always start with the release date and work my way back based on how long I know I need for each step in the process. Here is a general breakdown of turnaround times that I use when planning a timeline.
The Author's Responsibilities:
Author reviewing edits = 1 month
Author providing feedback on design = 1-2 weeks
The Designer's Responsibities*:
Creating the first colour draft of cover = 3-4 weeks
Inputting feedback on cover = 2-4 weeks
Creating internal layout = 3 weeks**
Inputting changes for layout = 2 weeks
Creating ebook layout = 2-3 weeks
The Editor's Responsibilities*:
Copy Edits = 4-8 weeks
Proofread = 2-3 weeks
* The turnaround time will depend on the provider and their capacity. Always communicate a turnaround time and deadline before the process starts. Especially with the editor, ask the provider to assess the manuscript first to determine how much time they'll need.
** The internal layout took longer with my first book, with more rounds of back and forth feedback between me and the designer. For subsequent books, because the designer was using the same layout as the previous books, the process was much faster
The turnaround time that you and your providers feel comfortable with will vary from person to person. I prefer to lean into allocating more time than I think I will need to ensure that there is a buffer for unexpected delays. And there will always be something unexpected to try and throw your plans off the rails.
Here is the timeline I created for publishing my 3rd book, The Goblin Deception. Note that, since I have a full-time job, I also make note of potential conflicts into the timeline knowing that there are certain times of the year that my ability to work on the book will be greatly impacted by what's happening at my day job. I also put major deadlines into the calendar on my phone, so I have an additional visual calendar to work off of.
The Goblin Deception Publishing Timeline.
Legend
Author Designer Editor Proofreader
May 2021
Work on draft
June 2021
Goal: finish draft and give beta readers
July 2021
Goal By end of July: have MS returned from beta readers
August 2021
End of month: Incorporate beta reader feedback
September 2021
Goal: second round beta readers
October 2021 [insane work month]
Incorporate beta reader feedback
November 2021 [insane work month]
Send rough draft to Designer for early read through
Start front cover design process with Designer
Third round feedback with beta readers
December 2021
Feedback from beta readers returned
Finish MS
Author sends MS to copy editor starts editing December 29 to start work Jan 1
Winter Break Dec 20 2021 to Jan 3 2022
January 2022 [insane work month]
Designer provides refined cover option rendered in full with title in place and feedback due (Second week of January)
Provides final tweaks for cover
Designer finalizes front cover
February 2022 [busy work month]
MS returned from Copy Editor February 18
Start implementing copy edits
March 2022 [Busy work month]
Cover reveal
Spring Break March 14 to 18
April 2022
By end of March: Finish copy edits on MS - April 18
First internal layout provided April 19
Internal layout returned to author May 2
May 2022
Internal layout returned to author May 2
Internal layout sent to proofreader May 2
Back cover blurb approved for back cover and sent to designer May 2
Proofread returned May 13
Edits sent to designer by May 24
Internal layouts for round 2 returned on May 31
June 2022
Final author review of internal layouts (due June 30)
July 2022
Internal layout finalized (Date TBC)
Start ebook files
August 2022
Ebook files done
End of August - Upload book files to Amazon and Ingram Spark
Order proof copies
September 2022
Make a release plan
Budget marketing plan
October 2022
Mid-late October = orders author copies of books
November 2022
Mid-November (or as soon as books arrive) = start mailing books out to reviewers
Release date December 3, 2022