There’s a dozen tasks once your book is accepted for publication, but things actually move slower than expected.  There are months when nothing is heard about the book, and then there are times when edits are due with a fast turnaround.  The best plan is to work on your next book or proposal during the down times.  Below are the steps of publication:

• query
• acceptance
• review of preliminary contract
• contract finalization
• marketing plan
• revisions and editorial corrections
• catalog description copy
• cover design
• final layout proofs
• publication and release date
• book signings & promotional events

 

Querying

            Create the perfect book query.  This isn’t something you write in one day no matter how many magazine queries you’ve written.  You want this to be perfect.  Reread it, have others read it, ask yourself if it conveys the tone of your book.  Be your most critical self and make this as masterful as your book.  Try to get an editor's attention without using gimmicks. 

            While waiting for responses from publishers, plan fo the sale of your book.  Plan some of your marketing techniques, your buying audience, and your possibilities with the book.  If this info wasn't in your query letter, you’ll certainly be asked about it when your book is considered for acceptance.

 

Acceptance

            Acceptance is the best thing that you’ll ever read (besides a raving critical review or a movie rights purchase.)  However, it doesn’t always come in the form of a letter on publisher’s letterhead or a phone call with, “We loved your proposal and we want to buy your book!”  Instead, it may show up as an e-mail or a quick note.  Don’t expect an immediate “Yes, we want it!”  What you’re more likely to see is a two line e-mail asking for your complete manuscript or sample chapters.  Send your best chapters, and do another once over before sending them.  You have to grab the editor’s attention in those first pages, just as you’ll grab your readers’ attention with the book.

 

Contracts

           Contracts are the legal jargon that we despise reading.  Read them carefully, and don't be afraid to ask questions.  Talk to your editor in a friendly manner, and feel comfortable.  You're not expected to be a lawyer and an author.  However, don't bite the hand that feeds you; keep that in mind if negotiating a term.  The best advice is to find some articles about contracts and get comfortable with the average terms. 

            Contracts need to be notarized, and they should be mailed with delivery confirmation.  Don't hassle editors with signature confirmations; simple delivery confirmation will do.

 

Marketing Plan

           With your edited manuscript you will receive a marketing plan.  This plan asks for things like a description of your book for catalog sales, possible locations for book signings, magazines to review the book, and anything else that might be needed to sell your book.  You should acquire contact people's names as well as addresses and phone numbers.  This is the second phase of your research.

           Marketing takes the most time and the most research.  Put your best efforts into making contacts and creating a substantial resource for your marketing editor to use to promote the book.  Scour the phone book, surf the Internet, and make some phone calls.  Dedicate a month or more into planning the marketing packet.

 

Revisions and Editorial Corrects

             At some point you wil recieve your manuscript with editing marks.  Make the major changes first and the editorial changes next.  At this point add any dedications, achnowledgements, and footnotes that you would like to appear in your published copy.  You will also be asked to create a table of contents if it is a non-fiction book.  You may also prepare a preliminary index at this point; this is a tedious task that will be tackled more than once before publication.

            Consider including in your manuscript:  a dedication, a table of contents, an introduction, acknowledgements to those who helped you with the book, further reading recommendations, an expert's opinion about your manuscript (to be included on the cover or in the introduction.)

 

Catalog Description Copy

            Catalogs are what sells a book to distributors; they peruse the pages and decide what they want to keep in stock.  While it is important to create accurate and informative catalog copy, it is also important to keep it interesting so that it stands out amongst the thousands of other books listed.  Authors are often asked to write this catalog copy.  Think about how you sold your manuscript in the first place.  What was your catch line and how did you hook the editor while providing factual information about your book?  Condense this idea into your catalog copy.  If you haven't created a catch line or hook phrase, one that is your "slogan" for the book, do so now.  Use it and post it everywhere; it will be the "jingle" that sells your book.

 

Cover Design

            One of the most exciting aspects is the day you see your cover art.  Often you will be asked for a photo suggestion for your cover, but the design of the cover is up to the graphics department.  Whether it is an abstract design, a cartoon, or a photo cover, seeing your name underneath the title really sets in the idea that you have really published a book.  Between the acceptance and the release, time passes making the idea of being an author seem dream-like.  This is one of the steps which makes it seem real. 

             This is also the time to start planning your marketing upon the book's release.  Often the publisher will give you the right to show the cover design and use it in marketing.  This makes the circulation of your book look real in the eyes of the public.  At this point have business cards made as well.  Keep them professional and circulate them in abundance.

Final Revisions

             Final revisions are important because this is the final stage to make major changes to your book.  Fact checking editors as well as grammatical/stylistic editors will have made marks on your manuscript.  You must now make these changes.  Many facts will have to be verified and documented, ideas will have to be changed and moved, and even chapters are extended at this point.  Any changes made after this point will cost the author money; it is the last step that the publisher accepts revisions.

              What's exciting here is that you'll see for the first time your actual layout of your book.  Depending upon the publisher, you may get a traditional layout with markups, but today's computer editing allows a much cleaner presentation.  You'll see your inside copyright information and your extra pages in the front and back of your manuscript.  You'll also begin to compile your index.

 

Final Edits

             Final edits come relatively shortly after your final revisions have been made.  You'll be hearing from your editor a lot during this time.  Final edits aren't as much work as the revisions.  Usually it is a few minor wording revisions or the okay of some of the major revisions that occurred in the previous step of publication.  Your index will be finalized at this point.

 

Setting Up Author Visits

              About this time your editor or agent will begin to set up author visits.  It's important to time them correctly so that you aren't making appearances before the book is in publication.

 

To the Printer!

              Just before the book actually goes to the printer you will receive a final cover copy.  Until this point the back cover and spine were probably a mystery.  Only an approval is needed at this point, but you've now seen every aspect of your book.  It's on its way to print.

               Now is the time to set up your author account with your publisher so that you can order copies of your book.  Other details such as royalty statements and business needs will be taken care of now that the book is concrete.

              I remember well the day my book went to print.  We were trying to make a deadline in order to coincide with an event I had planned, and I received a few final approval documents via e-mail the night before.  The day the package was sent to the printer I was on assignment for a magazine article, and I walked through muddy fields and visited a grain mill with my cell phone in my pocket (something I NEVER do while on assignment) in case the printer had a question.  I couldn't afford to miss our printing date. 

CONGRATULATIONS!  You're an author!

             Your book is now in circulation.  Don't expect a large opening or anything out of the ordinary to happen.  In fact, don't even expect a release date; it's more of a release time frame.  Distribution takes time, and as a new author there is little fanfare. 

              The most exciting part will be the day the UPS truck brings your advance copies of your book.  You'll cherish the moment; there will never be another one like it.  When my box arrived, my son was eager to pull out the first copy for himself and have Mommy sign it.  I knew the shipment was coming that day (thanks to online tracking and a caring editor), and I made sure I was home to get the shipment. 

Book Sales

              Now your work begins.  While your editor and publishing house will send copies of your book to reviewers and catalogs, you must join in and sell your book as well.  Talk to your editor about your plans so that you don't step on toes.  It will be up to you to send copies to some magazines, and you can contact bookstores to stock your title, especially if it's specialized.  Don't expect the large chain bookstores to make a special display or even to stock your book.  They often work from nationalized lists, and they may only stock it in their online catalog.  However, a personal author phone call often can get a few copies on the shelf. 

              It's up to you.  Remember, it's your book and it's your responsibility to market it well.  The best advice I can give is to remain professional and friendly.