Question about the timeframe from manuscript until publishing of AMoL
Nova
completed by December, 2008. From there it will undergo further editing and
preparation. It is currently expected to be published in the Fall of 2009."
I've never written a novel, so I obviously don't know everything that goes
into publishing one, but it seems to me that it is a long time from
completion of the manuscript to the publishing. Anyone out there know why
it takes so long?
Also, has there been any indication of how many pages the book is expected
to have?
TIA,
Nova
PatOConnell
> Dragonmount says "The manuscript for A Memory of Light is expected to be
> completed by December, 2008. From there it will undergo further editing
> and preparation. It is currently expected to be published in the Fall of
> 2009."
>
> I've never written a novel, so I obviously don't know everything that
> goes into publishing one, but it seems to me that it is a long time from
> completion of the manuscript to the publishing. Anyone out there know
> why it takes so long?
I once worked for a book publisher in the early 80s. The process may be
a bit less involved today.
First the rough draft is made and spell checked. The draft is reworked
by the author and sent to an editor (Harriet, and maybe another editor).
The edited manuscript goes back to the author for rechecking and
approval. The books is typeset electronically, and checked by editors
and the author again. Finally, printing plates are made (probably
electronically by now), and the book is printed, bound, and shipped.
Casey
The later WOT books were all published within a couple months of the
manuscript being sent to Tor by RJ. I think that this is an
exceptional case because Mr. Sanderson will not have the "final" say
on Mr. Jordan's work ... Harriet and a few other people who know what
the intentions were have creative license here, too.
Tony
> The later WOT books were all published within a couple months of the
> manuscript being sent to Tor by RJ. I think that this is an
> exceptional case because Mr. Sanderson will not have the "final" say
> on Mr. Jordan's work ... Harriet and a few other people who know what
> the intentions were have creative license here, too.
I suspect Mr Sanderson will have as much say as the author ever gets,
with the provision that he gets to listen to some extra people as well.
Of course, it depends what the contract says.
However, a short time from manuscript to publication doesn't indicate
anything good (it's not necessarily bad, but it's certainly not an
indicator of goodness either).
Short time from manuscript to publication may just mean insufficient
editing ...
--
Tony Evans
Saving trees and wasting electrons since 1993
olmr -> http://www.onelinemoviereviews.co.uk/
blog -> http://perception-is-truth.blogspot.com/
[ anything below this line wasn't written by me ]
Casey
>
> Short time from manuscript to publication may just mean insufficient
> editing ...
>
Exactly. The last few WoT books were full of editing errors, at least
when first printed. They were really cranking them out once they got
the manuscript.
Pete Kane
> I've never written a novel, so I obviously don't know everything that goes
> into publishing one, but it seems to me .....
Excuse me, seems to "you"?
>
>
> Also, has there been any indication of how many pages the book is expected
> to have?
983.
Good luck to us all!
Arno Wagner
> Dragonmount says "The manuscript for A Memory of Light is expected to be
> completed by December, 2008. From there it will undergo further editing and
> preparation. It is currently expected to be published in the Fall of 2009."
> I've never written a novel, so I obviously don't know everything that goes
> into publishing one, but it seems to me that it is a long time from
> completion of the manuscript to the publishing. Anyone out there know why
> it takes so long?
I would expect that this is careful reading and marking of problems
(may take 1-3 weeks full-time for 500-1000 pages, I expect, plus some
time to gain a bit of distanc, say several more weeks) and then giving
feedback to the author, wo in turn changes things. The Author may take
quite some time to make changes. Iterate at least for the changed
parts. Given that the substitute author emphatically does not
want to blow himself up doing this, it may be done even more
careful here, with additional proofreaders and feedback.
> Also, has there been any indication of how many pages the book is
> expected to have?
Extrapolation from those before would indicate 600-1000 pages
paperback.
Arno
Casey
Erikson has essentially indicated that this will be the longest novel
in the Wheel of Time. Since many readers have expressed doubt that
the series could be wrapped up in one more book, perhaps that isn't
especially surprising.
Casey
>
> - Show quoted text -
Check that: Sanderson. I'm not quite sure how the series would turn
out if Erikson finished it.
Tim Bruening
PatOConnell wrote:
With computers and modems, it should be possible for authors and publishers to
e-mail the manuscripts back and forth for the editing and spell checking
phases.