This is my first book, so I’m learning everything for the first time. It means I’ve googled everything from “how to write a book proposal” to “what are royalties” to “what is the book publishing process.” I am going to continue sharing what I’ve learned on Elana Lyn as well as more of the behind-the-scenes of writing my book. Here’s where we stand so far!
Step 1: Write and edit the book proposal. (July 19 to August 30)
My process for landing a book deal was unique because an acquisitions editor reached out to me about the book idea. I wrote a book proposal for how I would approach the book and included a proposed table of contents, the introduction, sample chapters, and ideas for activities and sidebars in the book. Normally, I would have had to write a proposal, pitch literary agents, sign with a literary agent, and then pitch publishing houses.
Step 2: Negotiate the contract and sign the book deal. (August 30 to September 18)
I am fortunate to work with Leigh Eisenman from MacKenzie Wolf Literary Agency. She negotiated the offer and all of the terms of the book deal. It was so helpful to have her advocating on my behalf and negotiating the advance as well as all of the details like who would have the copyright. Leigh is a lawyer, so it was so helpful because she not only understands all of the publishing terms and procures that I didn’t know but she also understands legal contracts.
Step 3: Write and submit the first draft of the manuscript. (September 2 to October 23)
I started writing the book on September 2. The first 30% was due on September 23 and I got some feedback that was helpful for writing the rest of the book. I handed in all 100% on October 23. I did some writing early in the morning and after work, but I got most of the writing done over the weekends. I often wrote from 8 am to 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday. I challenged myself to write about 1,000 words a day during the week and at least 5,000 on the weekends and started sharing my word count progress on Instagram. I handed in the about 60,000-word first draft on October 23 then took the weekend off and went to a spa with my mom!
Step 4: Write the activities and sidebars throughout the book and all the additional materials. (October 28 to November 6)
Each chapter has one activity and two sidebars with extra information like definitions and facts. I also handed in the dedication and acknowledgments.
Step 5: Work with a development editor to edit each part individually. (November 1 to December 11)
I received an editorial letter from my development editor with high-level notes about the book. After that, he started editing each part of the book and sending it back to me to make edits. My development editor switched after we edited the first and second parts of the book so she read those again to make sure all the edits were consistent. She sent each part to me again as well as parts three and four and I made the edits. The development editors made the book exponentially better—they are so talented.
Step 6: The book is edited by a copyeditor.
A copyeditor read the entire book to check grammar, spelling, typos, and make sure the book adheres to house style.
Step 7: I edited the book again and handed in the second draft of the manuscript. I send a draft of the book to other authors for blurbs.
Once I got back the copyedited version, I read the entire book again and made edits. After that, I read it again and made another round of edits, and sent it to my editor. I sent a draft of the book to authors I admire to collect blurbs (AKA the short reviews you see on the back of most books).
Step 8: The book is getting formatted and I fact-check the entire book.
Now the book is getting formatted and I’m busy fact-checking the entire book. I wrote CK’s (for check) next to all the facts and I’m checking them all. We were all so careful at every editing round, but I want to triple check now that I have more time to dedicate to it.
