|
THE INSIDE STORY . . .
Authors face many demands, one of the biggest of which is the deadline.
Deadlines are target dates by which a book must be finished so that it can begin the process of publication. In the publishing industry, deadlines are serious business.
Deadlines are like dominoes. Once the book goes into the publication process, it sets off a series of dominoes that affects everything else. To miss a deadline causes major disruptions in the process—disruptions that could cost an author a contract—or even worse, the loss of his good name as a responsible person.
Indie authors also have deadlines. While they are usually self-imposed, they are deadlines, nonetheless. So what does a deadline mean to an author? It means the following;
__An author must write when she feels sick.
__An author must write when she would like to go out to lunch with a friend.
__An author must write when she doesn't feel like writing.
__An author must write when the rest of her family may be having fun.
__An author must write when she has many other important things to do.
Of course, this happens in other professions as well. But in book publishing, every step depends on the completion of the previous one. So, if an author misses her deadline, it affects the entire publication of the book all the way down the line.
So, the next time an author friend or family member says she can't join you for lunch, don't get upset. Just remember that she may be on deadline. :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
|
