- Author writes the manuscript.
- Author revises the manuscript.
- Author gets critiques and implements necessary changes.
- Author submits queries to agents.
- Author secures agent.
- Author makes changes per agent’s feedback.
- Agent submits work to publishers.
- Editor reads the manuscript and tells agent she is enamored and plans to share with the editorial board.
- Editor shares the manuscript with the editorial board.
- Editor prepares profit and loss (P&L) statement for the book.
- Editor contacts agent and makes an offer.
- Agent shares offer with the author.
- Agent negotiates the terms of the offer with editor.
- Agent reviews actual contract, makes additions and deletions to the clauses in agreement in the best interest of the author, and sends it back to the publisher’s legal counsel.
- Editor sends final contract to agent.
- Agent sends contract to author for signature.
- Editor prepares editorial notes for author, and the author revises again.
- Author submits final manuscript.
- Editor reviews the manuscript and then prepares it for production.
- Editors in production department copyfit and proof the manuscript.
- Editor sends copyedits to the author for review.
- Author reviews last pass of manuscript after proof.
- Editor prepares back cover copy, catalogue copy, and other tools to sell the book.
- Publicity sends out galley copies to media for review.
- Book is published and starts to be sold.
by Regina Brooks, literary agent at Serendipity Literary. This text excerpted from Regina's 2009 book,
Writing Great Books For Young Adults.