With Books, Haste Makes Waste

During my career, I’ve dealt with authors who have invested months or even years into writing, revising, and then getting their manuscripts edited.

Then, with a flair for the dramatic, they insist they have to get their book published right now.

The most common reason is to coincide with a conference where the author will be speaking, or some other confab where they hope to sell lots of copies.

One author I worked with allowed his manuscript to linger for years. Then, he suddenly decided he just had to get the book ready for a conference three months down the road.

The project editor who had brought me into the ghostwriting project originally emailed me out of the blue, asking if I could update several chapters.

Because of other work and a speaking appearance, I told her I could handle two—one before an out-of-town trip and one after I returned.

Updating numerous factual references and revising copy meant rather intense sessions, ones that left me glad I didn’t have to pull together more than two chapters.

Bake Slowly  

Last year, an author wanted to get his nostalgic look at a long-ago high school championship team produced in about 10 weeks for an alumni gathering.

He needed a final edit, copy typeset, a cover designed, and final proofreading—of both the manuscript and the typeset version. A good substantive edit alone would have taken eight weeks, and more if it needed additional revision, research, and fact-checking.

Seeing multiple opportunities for disaster, I suggested that instead of pursuing such a fast timeline, he produce a flyer for distribution at the event. Then, complete the book at a more relaxed pace.

I told him he could include an order form offering a discounted price for advance purchases. Plus, add a website for orders and social media sites for publicity.

I’m not sure how that one turned out, since this would-be author hired someone else to do the editing and production work.

Should you want to produce a book, I suggest allowing for plenty of time. The idea that modern technology can shrink the time needed to produce books, whether printed or in e-book form, is a bit misguided.

Because good books are like fine bread. They need time to allow the yeast known as text to rise before adding the touches of editing, proofreading, and design.

Reasons to Relax

Why take your time? Here are just three reasons:

• Stress

Trying to put a book together in a mad dash loads a mountain of stress on top of everyone else involved, from editors to typesetters to printers.

In most cases I’ve been involved in, there was no reason for the rush. A simple bit of planning would have made everyone’s life easier.

• Mistakes

Errors are more likely to occur when authors put people under pressure that need not be there.

One pastor I helped turn a sermon series into a small book told me of a speaker he knew who had rushed to get his book finished. When this pastor asked how the man liked the final product, the speaker mumbled it was okay—except for the misspelled word on page 1. Not a great way to start a book.

• Poor production

Several years ago I edited a book for an author I had worked with previously.

Three weeks later, a copy of his new release showed up in the mail.

When I flipped through the pages, I cringed. There were huge gaps of white space and other errors. Since we haven’t had further contact, I wonder if the author recognized what a disservice the printer had done him.

As the old Aesop’s fable counsels: Slow and steady wins the race.