Tell My Favorite Author to Write Faster! by Julie Butcher

We don’t like to wait for the next book from our favorite author. No we do not. But I’m here to tell you about the author’s side of waiting. The book you just read, they wrote three years ago. They worked and slaved and then waited.

Think about it. What if you half killed yourself making the best holiday meal possible for your family and after all the nommy goodness was consumed, no one said one word? Then, three weeks later, they complimented your cooking. It would take a lot of the pleasure out of the praise.

Authors get tons of letters begging them to write faster. Unfortunately, no matter how fast they write, you’ll still have to wait.

First the book goes to the Literary Agent who makes time to read every word and to send comments back to the author. The problem is that the lovely Agent has only one set of eyes, twenty-four hours in the day, and a long list of books to read for her clients.

Next the author, who has been waiting at least a month, reads the comments and addresses all of the changes to be made in the book. Then, she sends it back to the agent and waits for her turn in the queue again.

If the book is stamped approved by the agent, our author sends it to her Editor (who also has a boat load of clients and must prioritize to fit the publishing house schedule) and waits in line.

At least another month later, the editorial comments come back and the author must again address any of the editors concerns and then mail the book of many travels back to the editor. Wash, rinse, repeat, as many times as it takes.

You think this is it, right? Umm…no.

The book then goes to the copy editor (another wait for the author) and a Galley proof is sent back to the author. The galley must be checked line for line because this is the last chance the author has to change anything.

Then you get the book, right?

Umm…no.

Publishing houses have schedules for book launches. Even if the author has the book ready two years before the publishing date, you will still see it on the date the publishing house has set for its release.

Next time you drop an email to your favorite author, tell them you love the books. Don’t nag them to hurry up and write faster. They’ll love you for it.