The Real Timeline: What to Expect When Seeking a Traditional Canadian Book Deal

Signing with a traditional publisher is quite an achievement, but a lot of potential authors have a skewed perspective on how much time it actually takes. Most people expect that the publication of their book will occur not too far in the future after they’ve submitted a manuscript. In fact, traditional publishing takes place according to a certain schedule of steps.

Learning about this process allows a writer to prepare better psychologically and avoid unnecessary disappointment. You will be more prepared and make more reasonable decisions as you progress in your path to traditional publication.

Why Traditional Publishing Takes Longer Than Most Authors Expect

First-time writers tend to believe that publishing houses are only interested in good storytelling. However, apart from good writing, publishing companies have a number of other criteria to consider, such as market demands, sales prospects, competitiveness, target audience, seasonality of publication and profitability.

The editors of publishing companies have to go through hundreds of proposals each month. Even high-quality writing may take weeks or even months to get considered internally. Publishing usually requires the participation of the acquiring team, marketing, editorial departments and financial planning.

Patience is not only recommended but necessary.

Stage 1: Completing a Submission-Ready Manuscript (Several Months to Years)

Your manuscript needs to be as close to being perfect as possible before approaching any literary agent or publisher.

The process is comprised of:

• Drafting the first manuscript
• Revising several times
• Getting beta reader feedback
• Professional editing
• Proofreading
• Creating an intriguing query letter and synopsis

Many writers skip this step and submit their manuscripts in a less-than-perfect condition. Unfortunately, this often leads to missed opportunities since a poor first impression closes many doors.

Putting more effort into the process increases your chances of success significantly.

Stage 2: Finding the Right Literary Agent (2–6 Months or Longer)

Major Canadian publishing houses tend to accept manuscripts from literary agents only.

Literary agents serve as literary representatives, pitching their authors’ manuscripts to editors and negotiating publishing deals on their behalf.

The process of finding an appropriate literary agent requires research of literary agencies working in your genre, personalized query letters, and following submission rules.

Response time may be different:

• Some literary agents reply after several weeks.
• Others can take several months.
• Others get too many manuscripts and contact selected authors only.

Rejection at this stage is common and natural; many best-selling novels got rejected multiple times until they found a literary agent.

Stage 3: Agent Review and Manuscript Improvements

The fact that you receive an offer for representation doesn’t necessarily mean that your manuscript is going to be sent to the publishing houses right away.

In fact, many agents work on the manuscript with the author for up to several weeks, improving its chances of being published.

The improvements can consist of:

• Structure
• Character development
• Plotting
• Pacing
• Marketing position
• Opening chapters

Such changes greatly help improve the commercial prospects of the manuscript.

Stage 4: Publisher Submissions (2–8 Months)

Once the agent thinks that the manuscript is ready, he/she starts submitting the manuscript to carefully chosen publishing houses.

Submissions are reviewed by editors on the basis of their publishing schedules, acquisitions, and other considerations.

In this process of waiting, different possibilities exist:

• Additional material requested
• Editorial comments
• Acquisitions meeting
• Rejection
• Publishing offer

It is normal for the authors to wait in silence for weeks. Silence does not mean rejection; the publishers just take their time reviewing the submissions.

Understanding Publisher Evaluation Criteria

The editors assess manuscripts based on creativity and commercial potential.

Common considerations are:

• Is the manuscript well-written professionally?
• Does the story distinguish itself among others?
• Is the audience identified?
• Is it a manuscript that matches market trends?
• Is the marketing team able to sell the book?
• Would the author’s platform contribute to promotion of the book?

At about this time, most of the authors start investigating opportunities with Book Publishing Canada.

Stage 5: Receiving a Publishing Offer

In case the publishing house chooses to publish your book, then this is great news for you – but the whole process is not yet over.

The offer to publish your book comes with negotiations on:

• Percentages in royalties
• Payments of advance
• Ownership of rights
• Schedule of publication
• Marketing plans
• Time of delivery

These negotiations will be carried out by your literary agent for your best benefit.

Stage 6: Editorial Development (3–8 Months)

Once the agreement is signed, then the process of professional editing starts.

It is usually characterized by several rounds of edits:

Developmental Editing

Here, editors concentrate on structure, rhythm, organization, character development, and storytelling.

Copy Editing

Here, grammar, consistency, style, format, and clarity are polished.

Proofreading

The final draft is proofread to detect any mistakes before publishing.

Most authors do several rounds of edits before their manuscripts are approved.

Stage 7: Cover Design, Production, and Marketing

While editing is ongoing, multiple departments within the publishing company get ready to publish the book.

They include:

• Cover design
• Formatting
• ISBN assignment
• Metadata optimization
• Distribution
• Marketing
• Advance review copies
• Cataloging

Traditional publishers start their marketing efforts a few months in advance of the publication date to generate anticipation among booksellers, reviewers, libraries, and the reading public.

Stage 8: Publication Day (12–24 Months After Acceptance)

A major surprise for most first-time writers is the length of time required between contracting and publication.

Most traditional publishing houses plan out their release schedule far ahead of time since they must align:

• Their seasonal catalogs
• Their printing process
• Their marketing strategy
• Their distribution network
• Trade shows
• Their retail relationships

Consequently, publication usually takes place one or two years after the contract is signed.

Though this may sound like an eternity, it ensures that the book gets as much exposure as possible.

Common Mistakes That Delay Traditional Publishing

The process can be extended through mistakes that authors make unknowingly, such as:

• Submission of an unfinished manuscript
• Ignoring the submission guidelines of publishers
• Inquiring the wrong literary agent
• Not editing the manuscript professionally
• Sending generic queries
• Feeling disappointed after getting initial rejection
• Revision without submission or not revising at all

Avoiding these mistakes will ensure smooth sailing in the world of publishing.

Staying Productive During the Waiting Period

While waiting several months for replies may be annoying, most successful writers do not give up writing at all.

Instead, they spend the time:

• Creating the next book
• Building an author’s web site
• Building an email list
• Connecting with their readers on social networks
• Going to writing seminars
• Learning more about marketing
• Expanding their network

Another project helps to relieve the stress on one submission.

Final Thoughts

A traditional Canadian book deal does not happen overnight; however, knowing the timetable will make the experience less stressful for you. Each step that is undertaken in the process has its own importance in making the final product a quality one.

Instead of worrying about the amount of time it takes to achieve a book deal, focus on giving your best and being ready for criticism. Persistence, preparation, and patience have always been the key attributes which distinguish successful authors from unsuccessful ones.