The gestational period of a novel
Monday, December 27, 2010 
When I worked in advertising we had a large grocery client that did what large grocery clients tend to do and that’s to focus on holiday campaigns. But what most consumers don’t realize is that the printing and scheduling of these things is done months in advance. This meant that I got to do a Christmas shoot every August. Bah-freakin’-humbug. By the time Christmas rolled around we were working on an Easter promotion, on Easter it was Independence Day, etc.
That same cycle sometimes happens in the publishing world, which primarily operates on two seasons, spring and fall. In addition to little ol’ me finishing a 500-page manuscript, there are editorial considerations, copy edits, proofing, cover designs, jacket blurbs, marketing campaigns, publicity, not to mention catalogs to print—which go to booksellers and librarians well in advance of a release date.
Which means the new book will be out a bit later, rather than sooner. Instead of being part of 2011’s fall line-up we’re looking at spring 2012, or rather late January (I think).
Sorry for the wait.
I’ve often said (much to the chagrin of my wife who is a labor & delivery nurse) that publishing a book is like giving birth to a 10-pound baby, sideways. There’s a lot of heavy breathing, pharmaceuticals, and ice-chips involved. And while the pain is singular, the journey is shared with others.
Hang in there. It's always worth it in the end.
Reader Comments (6)
I saw the tweet about a Henry novella. I'd be interested in that too!