What to Expect During the Publication Process

When it comes to getting your work published, the path can seem a bit rocky, treacherous, and confusing when experiencing it for the first time. If you have already made it through the proposal and acceptance by the publisher, you are right on track. This also is where you might require a bit of guidance however, ensuring you make the right decisions. The following steps outline of the steps involved in the publishing process, and how you should respond to each of them.

After the Acceptance

Having your proposal accepted is a shining moment, so take the time to bask in it for a few minutes — it’s great to know that your hard work has finally paid off. After a congratulatory pat on the shoulder, it’s time to get serious. The next step in the process is to decide whether to accept or reject the offer made by the publisher.

Contract Agreements

When agreeing to a contract with the publisher, there are several things you will have to consider before signing. These include:

• Date of Delivery – You will need to ensure that you can actually complete the book by the delivery date. Take the time to check your schedule and consider your current workload so that you can account for those in your planning process.

• Minimum/Maximum Word Counts – If the publisher is requesting considerably more or less words than you already have, you will need to make adjustments.

• Title Confirmation – Both you and the publisher must agree on a title for the book.

• Maximum Tables, Figures, and Illustrations – You will also need to confirm whether these are considered as part of the maximum word count.

Completing the Manuscript

Once you have agreed to the terms of the contract, you must start preparing the manuscript. While doing this, take time to ensure that you are following the publisher requirements for references, grammar, spelling, and style, as well as meeting the agreed upon word counts. You will also need to determine the manner in which you want the book structured as a whole.

The publisher should explain how he or she wants the final product delivered, be it as a hard copy or an electronic one. You should also plan on returning any required documents with the completed manuscript. If while preparing your manuscript you discover that you will not make the deadline, you must ask for an extension in a timely manner.

Copyrighting

You will be responsible for securing permissions for all third party information that you include in your work. Make sure to verify all acknowledgement requirements and potential fees that you will need to pay. Keep in mind that all permissions will be required prior to publication.

Once you have submitted the completed manuscript, you will receive proofs to go over and you will also need to complete the index. After this, your manuscript will be printed, bound, and submitted for production. Once this is complete, you will be a published author, which means you will need to start considering marketing options to increase sales.

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