The Slow Burn: A Publishing Timeline

Going into book two, I wanted a better plan. So I did what I do best and let my ADHD take me down about 10,000 rabbit holes researching how other authors approach timelines, planning, and publishing.

I found so, so many authors who have already tackled this particular topic. So, I pulled from their experience, combined it with what I already knew about my own process, and smushed it all together to get this list of things that work for me.

I'm not going to publish my list because it's mine.

But I'll give you the list, in the order that works for me, and my best guess of how long each step will take.

The Full List

Planning & Drafting (7 weeks - 16 weeks or more!)

• Outline - 1 to 2 weeks

• First Draft - However long you think it'll take

• Take a Break - 2 - 6 weeks

• Depending on your editor, it might be time to book now!

Early Revisions (7 weeks - 10 weeks)

• Self-edits (may combine based on preference)

  • Read through (3 days - 1 week)

  • Developmental/Structural edit (4 - 5 weeks)

• Time to book your Beta Readers (about mid-way through)

• Develop Synopsis/Draft blurb for Beta Readers

• Depending on your cover designer, it might be time to book now!

• Edit/Format for Beta (2 - 4 weeks)

Feedback & Refinement (5 weeks - 12 weeks)

• Beta Reader break (2 - 6 weeks)

• Edit based on feedback (2 -4 weeks)

• Finalize Back Blurb (1 - 2 days)

• Edit/Format for Editor (1 - 2 weeks)

Professional Editor & Design (3 weeks - 7 weeks)

• Send to Editor (2 -4 weeks)

• Time for Book Cover!

• Complete editor feedback (1- 3 weeks)

Production (2.5 weeks - 4 weeks)

• Formatting (1 - 3 days)

• Upload to Publishing Websites/Print on Demand Website (1 day)

• Order/Receive Proof(s) (1+ weeks)

• Proofread (1 -2 weeks)

Pre-Launch & Marketing (up to 4 months based on preference)

• Cover Reveal/Preorder (about a month to 2 months before release)

• Request ARC readers about the same time as reveal

• Send out ARC Copies (2-4 weeks)

• Announce Release date (1 month prior)

• Buffer time (2 weeks - 2 months)

RELEASE DATE

Altogether, this puts book two at just over 35 weeks for me.

But because every book follows a slightly different timeline. Genre, book length, editing depth, and life circumstances all play a role. This timeline is meant to be a flexible framework, not a rigid rulebook - which is exactly why I’m sharing the structure, not my exact dates.