We’re a publisher. Our business is getting books into the world. Like you, we love releasing new books. We want those books to be the best that they can be.
That involves patience. Rushing through the publishing process can cause more harm than good. Today, we’ll look at how waiting can improve the writing process.
In business, the project management triangle is a method to show constraints. It’s sometimes phrased as “Pick two: fast, cheap, good” or “you get what you pay for.” Examples of this exist in every part of life. A cheap table will be lower quality than an expensive one. A quick, high-quality meal will be costly. Getting a product that is fast, cheap, and good is impossible.
Publishing a book is a project, so it uses the project management triangle. Some publishers will promise that they can publish a book easily and without effort. The quality of that book will be lower than you want.
It would be lovely if books came out fully-formed and ready for publication. Unfortunately, in the real world, writing and publishing takes time. Writing takes multiple drafts. Publishing takes multiple steps and professionals. All of that takes time, and if you want a good quality book, it will take more time.
Our publishing process takes six months to one year. That gives all the professionals involved time to work their magic without feeling rushed.
Case Study: Jar of Tears by Kathleen Templeton
Kathleen Templeton is a teacher from Calgary, Alberta who wanted to publish a middle-grade book about grief. She based her story on her process of grieving her mother’s death. She was eager to get her book into the world as quickly as possible.
We helped her see the bigger picture. We found editors who understood her vision. We slowed her down to make sure she had an effective marketing campaign. We encouraged her to apply for reviews and awards.
When she published her book in April 2024, it was successful. Kirkus Reviews gave her a glowing review. Many other people gave her great reviews too. She has received nine awards for her work.
Taking more time also allowed her to set up her own company, Lemons and Sunshine Press. This arrangement gives her more flexibility with royalty arrangements and intellectual property.
Trust the Process
When you are in the moment, slow processes can feel even slower. Every day, you are hoping for news about your book’s progress. We understand. We’re just as excited for the updates as you.
The in-between steps can make it look like you are making no progress, or that progress is going backwards. When you see the thumbnails of a cover, you want to see the full, finished version as soon as possible. The in-between steps are the most important for creating a high-quality finished product.
Can you publish a book quickly?
Yes. We have, on occasion, published books under tight deadlines. The authors needed something done quickly for a small or specific audience. The authors paid rush fees for every step of the process, and some steps were removed to save time. We did not put our name on those books because they did not meet our quality standards.
For most of our projects, we prefer to focus on the quality and cost side of the triangle. We want to give our authors good value for their money, and a good book for their time. Our authors have put hard work and effort into their projects, and they deserve the same care from their publisher.
How do I publish a book?
If you are interested in publishing, booking a discovery call with us is a great step. We will assess your needs and the needs of your project. If your book is ready, we will create a custom plan that includes editing, design, layout, marketing, distribution, and sales and royalties. There is no pressure to buy. Discover how to turn your publishing dream into reality on our call.
So true, Molly. Good job. :) marcia