Publication - Manuscript

30 October 2011, Publication - Manuscript

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  I'll leave this up--if you go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/ where there is a record and list of the steps in the publishing process.  Yesterday, I listed the steps in the publication process.  Assuming you have a contract, the first thing your publisher will want is the complete and final manuscript plus some specific information.

Depending on how long it takes for your publisher to get to your book, you could have gone through more than one additional edit.  Sometimes it takes a while.  When your publisher puts you on contract, your book goes into the production queue.  I know certain characteristics affect the novels in the queue.  For example, the time of year might move a novel about a holiday ahead or behind in the queue.  A novel about a historical event can get bumped up or left until later based on the anniversary of the event.  A previous bestselling author's novel will likely get precedence over a lesser selling author's next book.  The economics of the book trade and the economy will slow the publisher moving through the production queue.  So, what I'm telling you--again--is be ready to wait for a while before your publisher starts the publication process. 

Tomorrow, I'll give you details on what they will ask you for.
I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.