Securing a book deal is a huge accomplishment. After months or even years of writing, revising, and querying, you’ve finally signed a contract with a publisher. But what comes next? It’s easy to think of getting a book deal as the end of the journey, but it’s really just the beginning. Here’s what happens after you get that exciting book deal.
Table of Contents
1. The Contract and Legal Process
After signing the book deal, the first step is often a lot of paperwork. The publisher will send you a formal contract outlining the terms of the deal. This contract will include:
- Advance: The money the publisher will pay you upfront. This is an advance against future royalties, meaning you won’t get any more royalty payments until your book earns back this amount.
- Royalty Rate: The percentage of the book’s sale price that you will earn on each copy sold.
- Rights and Territories: Which rights you’re granting to the publisher (like print, digital, foreign, audio) and in which regions your book will be sold.
You may want a literary agent to look over the contract and help ensure you’re getting a fair deal. Contracts often require negotiation, and an agent’s expertise can help avoid any pitfalls.
2. Working with Your Editor
Once the legal side is sorted out, the next step is working with your editor. This is where your manuscript will undergo its first major revisions. Even if your manuscript was already strong when submitted, it’s common for editors to suggest substantial changes.
The Editing Process:
- Developmental Editing: The editor might suggest big-picture changes, such as restructuring the book, cutting sections, or expanding certain parts. This is often the most intensive stage and can take weeks or months.
- Copyediting: Once the content is set, the manuscript will go through copyediting to fix grammar, punctuation, and style issues. This ensures the writing is clean and consistent.
- Proofreading: The final step before printing is proofreading, where the book is checked for minor errors like typos or formatting issues.
Editors and authors work closely during this time. It can be a bit daunting, as you might need to rewrite sections or rethink parts of your book. But this process helps refine the manuscript and make it the best version possible.
3. Book Design and Layout
After the editing phase, the focus shifts to the design of your book. While the exact design process may vary, it generally involves the following steps:
- Cover Design: The publisher will work with a graphic designer to create a book cover that is eye-catching and marketable. You may have some input, but the publisher will likely take the lead in ensuring the design fits the genre and audience.
- Interior Layout: The book’s pages will be formatted to ensure it looks professional in print and e-book formats. This includes setting the fonts, margins, and chapter headings.
The design team works to create a cover and layout that attracts readers and stands out in stores, whether online or physical. While you’ll likely get to review the designs and offer feedback, the publisher ultimately has the final say.
4. Marketing and Publicity Plan
Marketing is a crucial part of the process. In many cases, a publicist from the publisher’s team will be assigned to promote your book. This plan typically includes:
- Press Releases: Announcing your book to media outlets.
- Author Interviews: Coordinating appearances on podcasts, in magazines, or on TV.
- Book Reviews: Sending copies to influencers, reviewers, and bookstores.
- Social Media: Encouraging you to promote the book on your own social media platforms.
Even though the publisher will handle much of the publicity, you’ll likely need to be active in marketing your book. This could mean engaging with fans on social media, attending book festivals, and organizing book signings or events.
It’s important to be involved in this process, as it can help increase your book’s visibility and sales. The more effort you put into marketing, the better the chance your book has to succeed.
5. Finalizing the Manuscript for Production
Once the manuscript is edited and the book design is complete, the next step is preparing the final files for printing and digital release. This process includes:
- Finalizing the Format: Your book will be formatted for print (hardcover or paperback) and digital (e-books).
- Proofing: The final version of the manuscript will be reviewed one last time to catch any lingering errors.
- Setting Release Date: The publisher will select a release date, and the book will be scheduled for printing and distribution.
At this stage, your manuscript is essentially complete, and the book is ready to go out into the world.
6. The Publishing Timeline
From the moment you sign the book deal to the actual release of your book, the timeline can vary. In general, it takes anywhere from 1 to 2 years to go from contract signing to book release. Here’s a rough timeline:
- 6-9 months: Editing, revisions, and final manuscript.
- 3-6 months: Design, formatting, and production.
- 3 months: Marketing and pre-release activities.
For debut authors, this timeline can feel like a long wait. But while you’re waiting for your book to be produced, there are things you can do to stay engaged, like building your author platform or starting to plan your next project.
7. The Book Launch
Once your book is printed and ready for distribution, the real fun begins: the book launch. This is the moment your book hits shelves, both online and in physical stores. The publisher will likely have an official release plan in place, which includes:
- Launch Events: Book signings, readings, or launch parties.
- Social Media Push: Coordinated posts and promotions to increase awareness of the book.
- Influencer and Media Outreach: Reaching out to bloggers, reviewers, and journalists to get coverage for the book.
A successful book launch requires collaboration between you, your publisher, and the marketing team. Even if the publisher is doing most of the work, your involvement can play a key role in getting the word out and generating excitement.
8. Royalties and Sales Reports
After your book launches, it’s time to start tracking sales and earning royalties. Royalty payments typically occur quarterly, though this can vary. You’ll receive statements showing how many books have been sold and how much you’ve earned.
Keep in mind that you won’t earn royalties right away. Your advance will need to be “earned out” before you begin receiving royalties. Once the book earns back the advance, you’ll receive a percentage of the sales, which will be your royalty payment.
Things to Keep in Mind About Royalties:
- Royalties are paid based on the net revenue the publisher receives, not the full retail price.
- You’ll also receive royalties for foreign editions, audiobooks, and e-books.
- If your book is successful, you could receive bonus payments or be offered future contracts for additional books.
9. Post-Launch: The Long-Term Journey
Even after the launch, the journey doesn’t stop. Books have a long shelf life, and your publisher will continue to market the book over time. However, you’ll also need to stay engaged with readers and promote your book through your social media, newsletters, and other channels.
As the months and years pass, your book may still find new readers, especially if you write a series or produce other books that build your reputation as an author.
If your book does well, there could be opportunities for sequels, a film adaptation, or even foreign sales.
The Start of a New Chapter
Getting a book deal is an exciting milestone, but it’s only the beginning of the process. From editing and design to marketing and sales, there’s a lot of work to be done before your book reaches readers. Embrace the process, stay involved, and remain patient as your book makes its way into the world.
While it’s easy to focus on the moment you sign the deal, remember: the real work—and the real rewards—happen after the deal. This is where your dream of becoming a published author starts to become a reality.